270 



LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



How the field loosed out over those next two big fields, without gaining 

 a yard on the pack ! Bailey was nearly down as he jumped out of the first 

 field, for the ditch was wide, and the fence concealed it. Up to the corner, 

 near the stile, and his horse flew like a bird into the grass meadow, over 

 the dead bushes, and six-foot drop, quickly followed by the Master, Mr. 

 Howard Fowler, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Collin. Three more narrow fields, 

 three more fences, and we were over the lane, down which pressed an 

 excited band of flying horsemen ; through the farmyard, on to the common, 

 which was soon dotted with panting steeds, as they were urged over its ant- 

 hill-covered and holding surface. Nor could you have covered the hounds 

 with a sheet, for they were fairly tailed out as they entered Latton Park. 



Full Cry past Maries Wood 



Our fox, in the meantime, too quick for the whip, had gone out at the 

 bottom of Rundell's Grove, and a minute was saved — or lost, which you like 

 — before we were away once more, over the grass, pointing for the steeple- 

 chase course. Nearing the road, which drew many out of the line, like a 

 magnet, our fox never crossed, but ran straight on past Horse Shoe Farm. 

 The rails were low, and the next fence jumpable, but right in front a horrid 

 strand of barbed wire ! To turn to the right, over another fence, and seek 

 egress lower down the hedge, was the work of a few seconds ; but you had 

 to be quick, for the going was all grass, and the pace quite ultra. 



With a regular scramble for place, we reached the Rye Hill road one at 

 a time, and 200 coming at it like bees to their hive. First a squeeze 

 through a gap, then a ditch-defended bank into the next field, a sharp slew 

 round and a drop over a briery fence into the lane, followed by another 

 ditch and bank out — all within fifty yards — brought us on to the arable. 

 Never were two ploughed fields more welcome, for they brought hounds to 

 their noses, and gave us all time to get up. 



