30 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



must be a dash, spirit, and fire ; and in creep- 

 ing along at snail's speed there can be neither 

 one nor the other. But what I wish our 

 admirers and critics to understand is, that a 

 fast run by no means shows our qualities, but 

 a slow one may do so; and often that both 

 our praise and our censure are equally 

 unmerited." 



" Still, " said I, beginning to pant for wind 

 as we rattled up a steep hill, with the scent 

 improving, if possible, at every stride, '* as 

 the old exploded system wanted that dash and 

 spirit which, you say, are indispensable for 

 first-rate sport, there can be no doubt of the 

 present one being the most desirable." 



" On the whole I think so," rejoined my 

 companion ; * * but that may be, " he continued, 

 ' ' from not being practically acquainted with 

 any other. At the same time, ' honour to 

 those to whom honour is due ;' and my belief is 

 that our ancestors, the line hunters, hunted 

 their fox as well, if not better, than we who 

 now race him down." 



" Your judgment's an impartial one," 

 returned I. 



" Good or bad, better or worse," resumed 

 Trimbush, " it's no use arguing about the 



