FOX AND HOUND 



a dozen Reform Bills," shouts Sir Francis Burdett,^ 

 sitting erect upon Sampson,- and putting his head 

 straight at a yawner. ** We shall have the Whissendine 

 brook," cries Mr. Maher, who knows every field in 

 the country, for he is making straight for Teigh." 

 "And a bumper too, after last night's rain," holloas 

 Captain Berkeley, determined to get first to four stiff 

 rails in a corner. **So much the better," says Lord 

 Alvanley, **I like a bumper at all times." **A fig for 

 the Whissendine," cries Lord Gardner ; ** I am on 

 the best water- jumper in my stable." 



*The prophecy turns up. Having skirted Ranks- 

 borough gorse, the villain has nowhere to stop short of 

 Woodwell-head cover, which he is pointing for ; and 

 in ten minutes, or less, the brook appears in view. It 

 is even with its banks, and as 



"Smooth glides the water where the brook is deep." 



its deepness was pretty certain to be fathomed. '* Yooi, 

 OVER he goes ! " holloas the Squire, as he perceives 

 Joker and Jewell plunging into the stream, and Red- 

 rose shaking herself on the opposite bank. Seven men 

 out of thirteen take it in their stride ; three stop short, 

 their horses refusing the first time, but come well over 

 the second ; and three find themselves in the middle of 



^ Sir Francis Burdett, M.P. for Westminster 1807-1837, was prominent among 

 the organisers of the * Hampden Clubs,' founded in 1816 and after, for parliamen- 

 tary reform. He was twice imprisoned on political charges, in 1810 and 1820, 



'^ A favourite hunter of the baronet's which he once honoured by coming all 

 the way from London to Melton to ride one day with hounds. 



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