THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 33 



my way home, and not knowing what to do 

 better, I gave tongue for assistance, and was 

 heartily glad to have my cry responded to by 

 the loud barking of a shepherd's dog, whom 

 I perceived with his master, in a valley at the 

 foot of the hill on which I stood. In a few 

 seconds he came trotting up to me, and mutual 

 delight was experienced in finding that we 

 were familiar acquaintances, and had had 

 many a game of fun together when I was at 

 walk at the home of my puppyhood, the 

 hospitable farm-house. 



** What, Ringwood, lad! " exclaimed the 

 shepherd upon approaching me, and patting 

 my sides, " is it you? Zounds, but it is! " 

 continued he. "I'd know thee anywhere, 

 skeleton though ye be." 



For that night I was housed in my old 

 home, and the following day again conducted 

 to the kennel. 



** I wouldn't have lost him for the whole 

 entry, ' ' said Will Sykes, receiving me with a 

 warm welcome. " I can't think," continued 

 he, turning to the second whip, who, I 

 thought, regarded me with rather a savage 

 expression, " how you let 'em get away." 



" I've told ye twenty times already," 



D 



