Bblvoir Hunt. 7 



and although some of the elders did not ride 

 very straight, they taught their cobs to lead 

 over stiles and rails, so they were seldom far 

 away at the kill. And it was astonishing how 

 knowing the animals became ; they would 

 be on their hind legs in a moment, follow 

 their masters over, kick up their heels, and 

 seem to enjoy the fun. 



An incident which impressed itself upon 

 my memory happened when we went to join 

 a worthy old yeoman who lived in a heath 

 country a few miles away. His help-meet 

 was a buxom dame of comely presence turn- 

 ing the scale at sixteen stones, who generally 

 accompanied us on foot to witness the sport ; 

 and on one occasion when we were to beat 

 some walled enclosures volunteered her ser- 

 vices at the gateways, whither hares were 

 wont to make the best of their way to escape. 

 We soon found, and puss at once made for 

 the exit in which the old lady had planted 

 her portly person, with the voluminous folds 

 of her garments spread out as a screen to 

 bar the way. The course was short, sharp, 

 and decisive, for the hare with an eye back 

 on her pursuers ran bang into the old lady^s 



