io8 Random Rkcoi^lkctions of the 



slope of a commanding eminence east of the 

 town, and Frank Gillard no sooner signalled 

 the pack to " break bnlk " than mottled sterns 

 were popping np and down in an excited 

 manner, and whimpers confirmed suspicions 

 that a fox was on foot. 



Without hesitation he sailed gallantly away 

 over the old race course towards Londonthorpe. 

 With such a motley crowd no wonder that the 

 fun began at once with some stiff rails which 

 a gentleman on a chestnut sought to compass. 

 Not of the same mind, the horse whips round, 

 to be charged by a reckless sportsman who 

 came tilting along and knocked both horse 

 and rider clean over the obstacle, tumbling 

 on the top of them in the next field. They 

 were a bit '' tousled " in the scrimmage, but 

 got righted in time to follow in the rear of 

 the company now getting scattered abroad. 

 Hounds went at a rattling pace as they 

 ascended the hill east, with loose horses in 

 wild career amongst riderless ponies, whose 

 youthful jockeys were plucky little chaps, 

 caring no more about turning somersaults 

 over '' Taffy's " head than tumbling from the 

 family rocking horse. The pace continued to 



