FOX-HUNTING 



the very spot, yet the sheep stop them not, for they 

 dash beyond them. Now see with what eagerness they 

 cross the plain \— Galloper no longer keeps his place, 

 Brusher takes it.— See how he slings for the scent, and 

 how impetuously he runs ! how eagerly he took the 

 lead, and how he strives to keep it— yet Victor comes 

 up apace.— He reaches him !— See what an excellent 

 race it is between them !— It is doubtful which will 

 reach the cover first.— How equally they run !— how 

 eagerly they strain! Now Victor —Victor! — Ah \ 

 Brusher, you are beaten ; Victor first tops the hedge.— 

 See there ! see how they all take it in their strokes ! 

 the hedge cracks with their weight, so many jump at 



once. 



* Now hastes the whipper-in to the other side of the 



cover ; he is right unless he head the fox. 



' Listen ! the hounds have turned. They are now in 



two parts : the fox has been headed back, and we have 



changed at last. Now, my lad, mind the huntsman's 



halloo, and stop to those hounds which he encourages: 



He is right ! that doubtless is the hunted fox.— Now 



they are off again. Ha! a check.— Now for a 



moment's patience !— We press too close upon the 



hounds!— Huntsman, stand still! as they want you not. 



—How admirably they spread! how wide they cast ! 



Is there a single hound that does not try? If there be, 



ne'er shall he hunt again. There, Trwm^w is on the 



scent-he feathers, yet still is doubtful-'tis right! 



How readily they join him ! See those wide-castmg 



