THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 99 



of some thirty acres of grass, and crossing 

 two wide ditches — which would be called 

 brooks in some counties — we began to hope 

 that these would prove of essential service in 

 stopping the mob. A blind bullfinch, too, 

 increased our sanguine hopes on this head, 

 and we began to flatter ourselves that a good 

 day's sport was in store, when we had to 

 throw up and check. 



** That ploughman's headed him," said 

 Trimbush, making a cast to the right, " and 

 he's down wind as sure as I'm a foxhound." 



He was right, and hitting it off, with an 

 improving scent, we dovni with our sterns 

 and raced along at our best pace. A large 

 flock of sheep was before us, and, notwith- 

 standing they ran some distance, we managed 

 to carry it through the stained ground, with a 

 little careful picking, without much loss of 

 time. I saw Will Sykes in doubt as to 

 whether he should not cast us forward; but 

 thinking, perhaps, of the sensible rule of 

 " letting us alone," and as we did not throw 

 up, he, luckily for himself, kept his horn 

 quiet. Had he twanged it he would have had 

 the Squire about his ears. 



As the ground was good and we had a turn 



