THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 77 



the Squire. " He is beaten, and nothing but 

 an accidental escape — like this might have 

 been — could have saved him. There have been 

 no unfair means used, from the find to the 

 finish; and the only illiberal, unsportsman- 

 like act, would be now to run the risk of 

 robbing the hounds of that which they have 

 justly won and made their own." 



Not exactly among us, but not far from 

 where I stood — I think Will did it on 

 purpose to please me — the fox was thrown, 

 and my teeth were the first to fix themselves 

 across his loins. I had been taught in cub- 

 hunting not to gripe elsewhere ; but as it was, 

 he gave me a nasty pinch in the cheek. 



In a few moments afterwards he was given 

 to us to be broken up, and then somebody 

 asked the Squire "if he would not try for 

 another fox, as it was early? " 



" No," replied our master, shaking his 

 head. " We are fifteen miles from kennel. 

 The hounds have had a good deal of fatiguing 

 work in cover, and are satisfied with a novel 

 but glorious finish. I shall not run the risk 

 of tiring them more, perhaps for nothing, and 

 doing away with that spirit which the sport 

 of the day must have given, I hope, to every 



G 



