FOX-HUNTING 



let them, for once, try back. We must now give 

 them time ; — see where they bend towards yonder 

 furze brake — I wish he may have stopped there ! — 

 Mind that old hound, how he dashes o'er the furze ; I 

 think he winds him. Now for a fresh entapis\ Hark! 

 they halloo ! Aye, there he goes. It is nearly over 

 with him ; had the hounds caught view he must have 

 died. — He will hardly reach the cover ; see how they 

 gain upon him at every stroke ! it is an admirable 

 race ! yet the cover saves him. Now be quiet and he 

 cannot escape us ; we have the wind of the hounds 

 and cannot be better placed : — how short he runs ! — 

 he is now in the very strongest part of the cover. — 

 What a crash ! every hound is in, and every hound is 

 running for him. That was a quick turn ! Again 

 another ! — he's put to his last shifts. — Now Mischief \s 

 at his heels, and death is not far oflF. — Ha ! they stop 

 all at once : all silent, and yet no earth is open. 

 Listen ! now they are at him again ! Did you hear 

 that hound catch him ? They over-ran the scent, and 

 the fox had laid down behind them. Now, Reynard, 

 look to yourself! How quick they all give their 

 tongues ! — little Dreadnought, how he works him ! the 

 terriers too, they are now squeaking at him. — How 

 close Vengeance persues ! how terribly she presses ! — 

 it is just up with him ! 'Gods ! what a crash they 

 make ; the whole wood resounds ! — That turn was 

 very short ! — There ! — now ! — aye, now they have 

 him ! Who — hoop ! ' . . . 



11 



