326 THE MEYNELL HOUNDS. [1900 



cry there is, too, as they slip along past Culland, over an extremely awkward 

 line for their followers, pointing for Ednaston Hall. Deep ground may make 

 horses sob, but it brings out the music in a pack of hounds. The high road 

 again — but what do roads matter with such a scent as this ? Vixen, and little 

 Laundress in her first season, who have been leading the van all the way — youth 

 will be served — are into it and over it, throwing their tongues gladly as they 

 top the bank. The field, like sweetness long drawn out, files through the farm- 

 yard into the road, the leaders galloping on in hot pursuit. But still " hounds 

 have it " is the honest verdict. Now they swing towards Shirley village, now 

 they set their noses northwards, and run right through Mr. Cowper's gardens at 

 Ednaston close, treating their followers to a bit of the steeplechase course en route, 

 and picking up a fresh addition to the company in the shape of a hunter of Mr. 

 Cowper's out at grass, who enjoys the chase none the less, perhaps, for being 

 rider-free. On over the main road they go by Ednaston Lodge, where the fox 

 is headed, and for the first time the huntsman has to come to their assistance. 

 The knot is soon unravelled, and they run on through the Oak Wood, past 

 Yeldersley Plall and the old hall, past the Firs, and into Job's Wood, over a 

 wild, pew-y coimtry, better fitted for pewits and fox-hunting than for aught else. 

 The Bradley brook, better loved by fishermen than by fox-hunters, should drain 

 it, but does not, and has to be reckoned with a second time to-day, as hounds 

 recross it with a very tired fox close in front of them, pointing back for the out- 

 side Osmaston coverts. Longingly, no doubt, he thinks of a possible substitute 

 for the main earths at Ednaston, but it is not to be. Harassed and weary, he 

 meets first one straggling sportsman and then another. His heart fails him. 

 But one shelter offers itself, and of this he avails himself in sorest need. Crouch- 

 ing amongst the old iron in an outhouse, he meets his doom, and pays for years 

 of rapine and license— for a veteran was he— as every fox should. Full fifty 

 minutes had he stood up before hounds for close on nine miles, and had afforded 

 as good a run as has been seen for some time. 



Tuesday, Kingston village. Drew Kingston Wood, all the Woodcock Heath 

 coverts, and Loxley Park Wood blank, but found at once in CaiTy Coppice. 

 Tlie fox went away at the bottom at the end nearest the main road from 

 Uttoxeter to Stafford, and turned left-handed for Philips' Gorse. After a short 

 check at the start, hounds ran quite nicely into the Stone turnpike this side of the 

 gorse. After carrying the line well down the road for a hundred yards or so, 

 they turned out of it left-handed and ran nicely through the plantation at the 

 field end of Carry Coppice to the pit-hole just beyond. But the earth-stopper 

 liad done his work well, and they ran on pointing for the river. Before reaching 

 it, however, hounds divided, one lot turning short to the left, and running nicely 

 along the river, up the hill back again, past Carry Coppice, to Philips' Gorse. 

 Five couples crossed the river, the Master and first whipper-in, followed by most 

 of the ladies, forded the river, which was brimful, and, stopping these hounds 

 which were pointing for Chartley, galloped off in pursuit of the huntsman and the 

 main body. Casting round by Gratwich and Carry Coppice, he caught them up 

 near Philips' Gorse. After making his ground good first, the huntsman tried back 

 into the gorse, where a fox had been viewed. This customer was headed once, 

 and, on breaking away the second time, was chased by a sheep-dog. Hounds 

 got on the line, but checked on the Stone road. A cast up the road set matters 

 right, and they ran nicely to ground in a pit-hole close to Field. They found 

 again in Chartley Gorse, where our old friend the woodcock was also in evidence, 

 and ran smartly in the direction of Fradswell, with, the Park on their left, as if 

 they meant going for Turner's Gorse. But they turned sharp right-handed, and 



