74 



But liark ! tlie deep unerring tongue, the bell 



Of the dark wood, proclairaing sport is near ! 

 And the view hollo ! when the skulker makes 

 Down the dry ditch, and pressed the open takes." 



Bulteel. 



Tuesday. — Met at Crookston. Sharp frost, and not a very 

 large field, so many horses having been "baked" in the long 

 run on Saturday. Apropos of this, there is a well-known 

 sporting dentist in Paisley, who goes as long as he can; 

 although his weight prevents him being a first flight man, 

 the spirit is willing, and he generally manages to see a good 

 deal, from his knowledge of the country: — 



" Some good fellows there are, unpretending and slow, 

 Who can ne'er be thrown out, cos they ne'er mean to go, 

 And oftentimes, when the run's over, these tell 

 The story much better than those who went well. 

 For we're all of us thi'own out in turn." 



Warhurton. 



The same gentleman having nicked in near the finish on 

 Saturday, found a young gentleman lying down beside his 

 horse (a young 'un), did the good Samaritan in the shape of 

 a few hatfuls of cold water, and I am informed that both 

 horse and rider are still in the land of the living. However, 

 " hark back " to our run. The morning was very misty, and 

 there was a doubt if it " ivould do." A good deal of chaff 

 took place while Squires was waiting till the mist cleared off. 

 The promising young 'un, riding up to an old member of the 

 Hunt who was riding a very mealy -faced grey roan, asked him 

 the price of soap, as it appeared his horse's face had not been 

 washed lately. A young member asking Squires why he did 

 not begin, he said, " Well, sir, if you will kindly hang a 

 lantern on to the tail of Mr. Kippen's horse, perhaps I 

 might." (The bay in question had his tail up, and belonged 

 to one of the straightest riders and genuine sportsmen in the 

 hunt.) But revenons a nos mouton. The moment the 

 hounds were thrown into Crookston Wood a fox was on foot, 

 and after a ring or two I viewed him away. He was a " big 

 'un" in this instance, there was no mistake; but in most 



