THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



keeping with its baronial exterior ; and the clothing and fuel, 

 furnished to the neighbouring j)Oor under the management of 

 Lady Charlotte Raby, were still more abundant. 



The meeting between Frank Raby and his father's huntsman 

 was truly cliaracteristic of both. It is not my intention here, 

 however, to give a second edition of Frank's appearance with 

 his father's harriers in the field ; although he was compli- 

 mented, by the huntsman, on the improvement in his hand 

 and nerve, and the judicious remarks he made on some of the 

 leading hounds ; but we will proceed at once to his debut with 

 the foxhounds. 



Tlie morning was cloudy and still, looking like a hunting 

 morning, and the family had all assembled in the breakfast- 

 room, when Sir John made his appearance, the Abbey being 

 only a mile or two out of the road that led to the appointed 

 cover. ' Well, Inkleton,' said Mr. Raby, after the usual salu- 

 tations had passed, and pointing to his son Francis, wdio w^as 

 clad in a green hunting-coat, and a pair of leather breeches 

 made expressly for the purpose, ' here is the happiest fellow, 

 this day, in our own country, and, very probably, in the next 

 to it. Andrew says, he has not closed his eyes since three 

 o'clock tins morning, praying heartily for daylight. I am sorry 

 I cannot accompany you to the field, as I must attend the 

 bench to-day, but I have ordered Dick, the huntsman, to do so, 

 and take the young fox-hunter under his care.' 



' There is no necessity for that,' replied Sir John ; ' one of 

 my hunters having been amiss, is mucli in want of work, and 

 I have ordered Preston to be at the cover, and he will do all 

 that is required, in piloting Frank ; and you know old Preston 

 is to be depended on.' 



' Wlten the hounds find ? ' exclaimed Lady Charlotte, with 

 some expression of doubt on her countenance. 



' As steady as old Time, I assure you. Lady Charlotte,' replied 

 Sir John ; ' besides, he is a perfect old woman across a country, 

 and has too great a regard for his own neck, to run any risks of 

 breaking Frank's.' 



Breakfast concluded, Frank having fed no better than he 

 slept. Sir John's cover-hack was announced as being at the 

 door, and he and his happy companion set forward on their 

 road to Bransford-wood ; and tlius they discoursed on their 

 way : — , , . 



80 



