180 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



" I know that the hound is a great 

 favourite with both of ye," said the Squire, 

 '■' and with good reasons. But remember, if 

 from any false feeling of kindness we spare 

 one infected, the entire pack may be lost." 



'* I wouldn't do it, sir," returned Mark. 

 " I wouldn't do it, sir," repeated he, " if he 

 was my own child, and I thought him bitten. 

 The intended kindness would be right down 

 cruelty." 



" Still," added our master, shaking his 

 head, ** I entertain great doubt as to the 

 policy of hesitating to take the safer course. 

 However, let him be shut up by himself and 

 watched incessantly; and in the event of the 

 most trifling but certain symptom appearing, 

 wait for no instructions from me, but shoot 

 him." 



I was now taken from the court and 

 subjected to solitary confinement for six 

 weeks; but as Tom Holt explained the cause 

 of poor Gameboy's malady, from having seen 

 him attacked by the cur, and all the rest being 

 found free from the smallest likelihood of 

 inoculation, I was permitted to join my 

 companions again soon after cub-hunting 

 commenced. During my involuntary retreat. 



