122 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



something extraordinary to beat ye four whole 

 seasons. ' ' 



' * He is, ' ' added Trimbush : ' ' but he must 

 be more than that, even to live till sun-down 

 to-day." 



" Tell me all about him," said I, " and 

 what your plans are; for I see your mind is 

 made up for mischief." 



" Why, in the first place, then, I should tell 

 you," replied my friend, *' that Berry brake 

 IS the strongest cover I ever was in. It cuts 

 our chests and sterns, and makes our heads 

 swell terribly, to get through at any pace. 

 The scent, too, is very good in it, and from 

 having given Old Charley some good dusting, 

 he will not hang a moment now. This, in so 

 far as the strength of the cover is concerned, 

 is all the better for us ; but he is so wary that 

 he bolts at the slightest noise, and has taken 

 to his pads long before Tom has been even able 

 to occupy his station at the upper part of the 

 cover. Whatever his tactics may be, how- 

 ever, he invariably breaks away fresh, and 

 with a good start, and being as strong a fox 

 as ever stood before hounds, he has manage<^ 

 to outrun and beat us up to this time." 



** Is he a big one? " I inquired. 



