BEI.VOIR Hunt. 69 



the gorse. Hounds had drawn nearly through 

 when a fox jumped up on the outskirts with 

 the pack flashing after him like lightning. 

 People had mostly congregated on the north, 

 and few were aware of the flight, but a rare 

 opportunity the sequel presented to those who 

 had kept a sharp look out and slipped away on 

 terms with the pack. As if tied to their fox 

 they flew along a south-easterly course to 

 Chadwell, thence passing to the right of it, 

 raced up the hill as if Melton Spinney would 

 be the next point, but turning to the left, 

 reynard was sent along at a terrific pace to 

 Freeby Wood. He crossed the Melton turnpike 

 by a plantation nearer Waltham, hounds still 

 running at their best pace till they got to 

 Stonesby Ashes, where the fox was viewed 

 dead beaten. Gillard held the pack round 

 the further side, and they took up the 

 running of what proved to be a fresh fox, who 

 was hunted slowly by Sproxton Thorns nearly 

 to Buckminster. The fortunes of war had 

 favoured the fugitive of the morning, as it 

 seeemed he had gone to ground in the ashes, 

 up to which no one had the least chance with 

 Captain Longstafle, Frank Gillard, Captain 

 Riddell, and Blakeboro (the first whip). 



