THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 189 



the pace soon began to tell upon the family of 

 foxes, which we were now racing in divided 

 lots. 



' * How many of them are there ? ' ' inquired 

 the Squire. 



' ' Not less than two brace and a half, sir, ' * 

 replied the huntsman. 



" Very good," rejoined his master. " Let 

 the vixen go if she will." 



He then galloped towards Tom Holt, and 

 just as he was about cracking his whip, a 

 signal from the Squire stopped him. 



** Come from this corner," said he, " and 

 let the old one go, and as soon as these hounds 

 come out with the scent, stop them, and take 

 them to William." 



Scarcely were the instructions given, when 

 the vixen took advantage of the opportunity, 

 and broke away at her best pace. The lot 

 settled to her were stopped, and taken to the 

 huntsman at the top of a ride, in about the 

 middle of the cover. 



Being joined in one body, we now pressed 

 our cub most severely ; and I viewed him cross 

 two or three rides with his red rag out, in a 

 truly sinking condition. 



This cub is very much distressed, sir," 



f ( 



