FOX AND HOUND 



immediately disappears. Five minutes more pass 

 away. **No fox here," says one. ** Don't be in a 

 hurry," cries Mr. Cradock,^ **they are drawing it 

 beautifully, and there is rare lying in it." These 

 words are scarcely uttered, when the cover shakes 

 more than ever. Every stem appears alive, and it 

 reminds us of a corn-field waving in the wind. In 

 two minutes the sterns of some more hounds are seen 

 flourishing above the gorse. ^^Have at him there ^^^ 

 holloas the Squire,^ the gorse still more alive, and 

 hounds leaping over each other's backs. ^^Have at him 

 there again^ my good hounds ; a fox for a hundred ! " 

 reiterates the Squire, putting his finger in his ear and 

 uttering a scream which, not being set to music, 

 we cannot give here. Jack Stevens (the first whipper- 

 in) looks at his watch. At this moment John White, 

 Val. Maher, Frank Holyoake (who will pardon us 

 for giving them their noms-de-chasse), and two or 

 three more of the fast ones, are seen creeping gently 

 on towards a point at which they think it probable 

 he may break. **Hold hard there," says a sportsman; 

 but he might as well speak to the winds. ** Stand 

 still, gentlemen ; pray stand still," exclaims the hunts- 

 man ; he might as well say so to the sun. During 

 the time we have been speaking of, all the field have 

 been awake— gloves put on — cigars thrown away — the 



^ This gentleman resided within the limits of the Quorn hunt, and kindly 

 superintended the management of the covers. He has lately paid the debt of 

 Nature. 



- Mr. Osbaldeston was popularly called ' Squire ' Osbaldeston. 



18 



