THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Arrived at Townloy Park, they found the worthy Baronet 

 expecting them, and with a really good luncheon on his dinner- 

 table ; for which a twenty-four miles' ride through the balmy 

 air of a spring morning, added to the cheerful talk on the 

 road, had given them a keen appetite. And by rather a 

 curious coincidence, at the very moment at whicli they drove 

 up to the door, another coach was to be seen at the farther 

 end of the park, in which were four strapping brown horses, 

 trotting away at the rate of, at least, twelve miles in the 

 hour, with apparent ease to themselves, and in the hands of 

 a perfect master of his art. This proved to be the splendid 

 turn-out of Mr. Herson, a neighbour of Sir Harry, who 

 chanced to call on him at that hour; and when it is stated 

 that he gave 400 guineas for the leaders which he had this 

 day at work, their line appearance and paces can be very 

 readily accounted for. But to the arrival of our hero and his 

 party, which we will relate in the dialogical form, as saving- 

 some trouble : — 



Sir Harry. — ' Glad to see you on your own box, Raby ; when 

 you were last on mine, I thought you would not be long before 

 you got to work. The old uncle cut up well, I find, and I 

 rejoice to think that you have settled so near me, and on so 

 good a road. How d'ye do, Inkleton ? What, Jack Webber ! 

 — are you there, with your round and rosy face ? I suppose 

 you are giving the young one some instructions. But there 

 is old Jem Powell there, I see ; I beg his pardon, a thousand 

 times, for supposing any man could act the schoolmaster in 

 Jiis presence. Glad to see you, Jem ; how smart you are to-day ! 

 And Hargrave — delighted to see you ; you are one quite after 

 my own heart — fond of the box and hounds — a right good 

 sportsman, and the best man out of Christchurch, in your time, 

 out of the pigskin.' 



Frank Rahy. — ' I believe. Sir Harry, I have three friends here 

 to whom you are not known. Allow me to introduce to you 

 Lord Edmonston, a most particular friend of mine, although 

 not one of the best on the pigskin ; also Mr. Goodall and Mr. 

 Houghton, both Christchurch men, not much in our line at 

 present, but first-class men in another.' 



Sir Harry. — ' Happy to see you all. Now let Jem take your 

 coach into the yard, and himself into the servants' hall ; a bit 

 of venison pasty will do you all no harm after your drive, and 



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