CHAPTER XI, 



** The gorse is yellow on the heath, 



The banks with speed-well flowers are gay, 

 The oaks are budding, and beneath 

 The hawthorn soon will bear the wreath. 

 The silver wreath of May." 



" I HATE to see those violets a-peeping on 

 the banks," said old Mark to the huntsman, 

 one morning, " and always did." 



"Why so? " asked Will. 



* ' Because they are a sure sign that hunting 

 is drawing to a close," replied our feeder. 



" Yes, yes," rejoined Will Sykes. " True 

 enough. When the speed-well flowers begin 

 to show," continued he, " we may be certain 

 that the season's almost at an end." 



" Shall we kill a May fox? " inquired 



K 



