THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 45 



cork against the tide, to work his own way. 



It appears indispensable — stale as the 

 necessity may prove — to introduce the persons 

 spoken of previously to relating the scenes and 

 incidents in which they may assist. The 

 second whip, Ned Adams, therefore, must not 

 be permitted to escape notice altogether, like 

 one of immaterial consequence and account; 

 and although slight will be the sketch of his 

 virtues, vices, and tendencies, still, to render 

 ihat which is justly due is but to yield the 

 very bare bones of common honesty. As with 

 the greater number of second whippers-in, 

 Ned was a connexion of the huntsman, and 

 had the right — needlessly, be it said, on the 

 maternal side — to call him " uncle." Ned's 

 uncle embraced divers opportune occasions to 

 impress upon his nephew's mind the onerous 

 duty and essential service which may be 

 performed by a whipper-in if he will only 

 keef in his 'place. " But," observed the 

 huntsman, " most of you hot-blooded young 

 'uns are so eager to get for'ard, that ye forget 

 the first principles of what you ought to do, 

 and instead of keeping behind, to bring on the 

 tail hounds, hang me if you don't jam to the 

 sterns of the leading ones." 



