igO THATCHER MEETS WITH A HEAVY FALL. 



Road just in time to see the whole pack tearing up the gully 

 beyond. We had a good start and it reall}^^ looked like a good 

 thing. Half-a-dozen fences and we were almost on the Hogs 

 Back, the Major led over a thickish fence with two ditches, 

 both of which were filled with clippings, and unfortunately, 

 Thatcher's horse, which had given him a fall already that day, 

 put him down again heavily, to such purpose that he was 

 clean knocked out, and the horn completely flattened against 

 his ribs. After some delay the small remaining field galloped 

 on to Launde Park Wood, where we caught the pack and 

 hunted on across that fine wild stretch past Prior's Coppice, 

 eventfully giving it up on the near side of Preston. It was a 

 good gallop, and but for Thatcher's accident, it might have well 

 been a great one. 



' Little Slam ' carried me perfectly, and I feel I have made a 

 good purchase, so that despite my early start, and the fact 

 that I slept that night in town, again my energy was well 

 rewarded. 



The best and fastest thing of a good season. 



Thursday, 17th February 1910. A tempest of wind, cold 

 bursts of rain, and half-an-hour's fruitless attempt to dislodge a 

 fox from Thurnby cover, almost made me think my luck had 

 turned at last. A biggish field had gathered at Billesdon 

 despite the desperate state of the weather, and a quarter-to- 

 Two found them at Glenn Gorse, having drawn three covers 

 blank. Little did we guess that a moment more would set us 

 going on one of the best gallops that this country has seen for 

 many a long day. Millie was riding ' Curling Pin,' and 

 Margorie ' Week End,' whilst I had a mount on ' Henrietta,' but 

 as the first note proclaimed a fox, feeling it was a case of now 

 or never, I changed on to ' Little Slam,' just in time to get a 

 good place as Thatcher put his hounds on the line. It was 

 the lady pack, and down the wind they came along in good 

 style, passing through Hall's Spinney, crossing the road and in- 

 creasing the pace as they sank the valley beyond. We were 

 heading for Houghton, and the fences came in quick succession. 

 Over the road the pack turned right-handed, and with the 

 Billesdon washdykes on their left, raced on for Norton Gorse. 

 Thatcher led us over the timber into the road, and turned 

 left-handed through the gate, and those of us who jumped in 

 and out had to tackle some more timber to get into line again. 

 At this point of the run, Mr. Evan Hanbury, on one of Mr. 



