THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



because Somcrby, who has been visiting his friends in our part 

 of the world, told me what you had done previously to that 

 time. I dare say you have had good sport, as the season has 

 been open, and there have been no complaints of want of 

 scent.' 



' We have done very well indeed,' replied his lordship, ' and 

 old Meynell has been in high force, having killed forty-one 

 brace of foxes, about his usual amount, and had capital runs 

 with many of them.' 



' Perhaps you will give us the history of one of them,' resumed 

 Sir John. ' It will be highly amusing to our two young friends 

 here, giving them an insight into what they hope, one day or 

 another, to partake of.' 



' I will do so with pleasure,' was the answer ; ' and I think 

 the Shoby Scoales run, on New Year's Day, will answer your 

 purpose well. 



' Shoby Scoales is situated in the finest part of Leicester- 

 shire ; and, being a sure find, the announcement of the fixture 

 always brings out a large field. There was, on this day, a 

 splendid field of horsemen ; and, what added to the animating 

 scene, a brilliant display of ladies in carriages and on horse- 

 back, the morning being unusually mild for that season of the 

 year. 



' At a quarter past ten o'clock, the hounds were thrown 

 into the cover, in which they had not long been before 

 Champion, a favourite old hound, and noted for finding his 

 fox, challenged on a scent, and was instantly cheered by Mr. 

 Meynell. " Have at him. Champion, old boy ! " he holloaed ; 

 " you never told me a lie ! Get round to the lower side of the 

 cover, Jack," said he to Jack Jones, the cork-legged whip, " and 

 stop his breaking there, for I want to have a tickler to-day." 

 No sooner said than done. The fox broke up wind, and faced 

 our best coun+ry, viewed by the whole field. Of course we 

 were all ready for a start, l^ut were kept in check by Meynell 

 taking ofi" his cap and holloaing — " Hold hard, gentlemen ; 

 pray let my hounds get fairly out of cover, and settle well to 

 the scent, and fhni ride over them if you can." We were, 

 however, a very short time kept in suspense; for the gallant 

 pack were not only too well bred, but too well taught, to hang 

 in cover after their game had left it. They were soon out in 

 the open, \\ith the scent so good, that, dropping their sterns 



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