152 



LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



for — on the t^rass, too ! with a north-east wind. I would have wagered a 

 new hat that they could run, but, accepting the opinion of the majority that 

 bouquet de hevve was entirely wanting, and that it was anything but a 

 morning for pottering about, we turned homewards, but had scarce gone 

 three fields when the music of hounds, really running, struck on our ears. 

 It is a strain I can never resist ; so, turning back at once, we had the good 

 luck to view them coming along in full cry towards us. Leaving Shatter 

 Bushes behind without touching it, they soon placed a narrow brook 



Mr. Tosetti on "The Martyr" 



between themselves and the field. The Master was the first over, the rest 

 followed one at a time, and Mr. Single came down, losing his horse, and the 

 run at the same time. I quite sympathised with him as he toiled along 

 uphill over a stiff ploughed field after the hounds, and would have caught 

 his horse for him if I hadn't had my boy with me, and hounds were not 

 running so well. Ah ! Miss Buxton's groom had him, and hounds and 

 pursuers were slipping away over the hill and down a very muddy and 

 narrow lane in the direction of Nasing Coppice. 



