78 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



one present." And lifting his hat, string 

 high, he bowed and joined the side of his 

 huntsman. 



As we trotted along down a bye road, with 

 our sterns well up over our backs, and feeling 

 as proud as peacocks, I heard Will Sykes 

 remark, " It was a good forty minutes, sir." 



" Yes," replied his master with a slight 

 smile, ** but it would not have been so long 

 if you had made that cast." 



** If I had done that, sir," replied the 

 huntsman, dropping his voice to a whisper, 

 '* if I had done that, sir," repeated he, " we 

 should have lost our fox." 



"Let them alone, eh?" rejoined the 

 Squire, smiling more perceptibly. 



" Ay," returned Will. " Let them alone 

 is a beautiful rule." 



