NIMROD'S NORTHERN TOUR. 165 



than the Duke of Buccleuch ; but it appears Horace was light when he 

 said 



" Nil sine magno 



Vita labore dedit mortalibus." 



Two circumstances in the course of this run call for a remark — one 

 relating to the hounds, the other to their huntsman, and to which I have 

 already slightly alluded. Towards the end of this fine run, it was my 

 good fortune to get along side the pack, for about a mile, in a narrow 

 valley, when they went their very best pace, with a breast-high scent 

 over fine old grass. But they did not carry a head ; on the contrary, 

 they tailed, as the term is, to a more than usual degree. My only 

 remark to Williamson when we neared each other in the chase was-- 

 '' Did you see those young Merlin hounds at head ? " to which he 

 nodded assent ; but at a subsequent meeting in the field the following 

 conversation took place between us: — 



Nimrod. Your hounds did a good day's work on Wednesday, with 

 that brace of foxes. 



Williamson, They surely did. They worked very hard in the 

 first whin, and it was very hot for them all that time in cover. 



Nimrod. It told upon them ; for they were somewhat blown vvhere 

 the scent was so good over the grass, in the valley. 



Williamson. Wall, do you know, sir, (emphatically) / ivas thinking you 

 would be of that opinion ; but I will tell you what it was. You noticed 

 those young Merlin hounds out of Countess and Lucy, at head. Wall — 

 depend upon it, tJiQ old hounds ratJicr niistrusted them.'' 



