-27 



once, and ran a sharp ring of a couple of miles over the 

 muir, and back to covert. Two very unfortunate accidents 

 happened in this spin. Mr. George Baird's horse, after 

 clearing a wall, took paralysis, and had to be shot; and 

 another gentleman broke his mare's leg sharp off, and the 

 mare was also destroyed. After ringing about, got our fox 

 away again, but unfortunately ran to ground. Found again 

 in Elphinstone, and had ten miles at a clipping pace, very few 

 up at the finish. Mr. Barclay riding a new chestnut, cut him 

 very badly, and had to drive home. 



" Saturday, October 27th. — Bridge of Weir. Drove down 

 'Tom Thumb.' A nasty morning, misty and rain, which, 

 however, took off about one o'clock. Found in the Ton- 

 Wood, and got him away towards Castle Semple, but he 

 turned back, and we ran through Carruth to Duchal, where 

 the drains, as usual, saved his life. Mr. James Merry, who 

 was then acting M. F. H., tumbled into a brook during the 

 run, and sundry other spills took place. 'Jerry' badly cut. 



"Nov. 3. — Castle Semple. 'Harlequin' not fit, but George 

 Wilkie offered me a mount on his chestnut, but no persuasion 

 could get him into a horse-box. Willie Campbell, however, 

 offered me his old game horse, which he had ridden down to 

 the station, he intending to ride Mr. M'Kenzie's gray, and I 

 was admirably carried for the day. Found a leash of foxes in 

 Greenside; all three broke in view of the hounds, ran one to 

 Carruth again, as usual, into a drain. Went back, got on the 

 line of another one, and went a burster down to Castle 

 Semple, where, owing to dead leaves, scent failed, drew the 

 Scifftafc blank. 



" Nov. 10th. — Met at Neilston village. Drew the Pad and 

 Knockinae blank, but found at Fereneze, and ran as straight 

 as an arrow to Johnstone Castle, and killed. Pace tremendous, 

 the best of the season, many casualties, and Mr. J. Mills' 

 horse had to be left at Johnstone. Kode a new purchase 

 from Hew Young, the ' Screw,' and was well carried. 



" Nov. 17th. — Johnstone Castle. Drew the coverts here 

 and Gleniffer blank. Found at Hawkhead, had a pumper up 



