38 HORSES 



object. There ! look ! what was that dark animal 

 disappearing through the hedge two fields away ? 

 For a moment you hesitate, and then the brain 

 confirms the eye's first impression. You burst 

 out with ^'Yonder he goes!" and to the hunts- 

 man's query of ^' Where?" you point to the spot. 

 Quick as thought he has the pack at his heels and 

 gallops to the place you indicated, but before they 

 reach it a flood of melody fills the air with joyous 

 sound. 



You were right, and now your pony has gained 

 his second wind ; bustle him along and see the end. 

 Crash through that bullfinch, and you find yourself 

 in a long meadow down which the brooks run. 

 Hounds fly up the hedge-side, stop suddenly and 

 turn back. Old Songster makes a dive into the 

 ditch and out jumps the fox, getting a twenty- 

 yard start before he is seen. Tally-ho ! the pack 

 have viewed him, and are racing for his brush. 

 Across the level meadow old hound and young are 

 straining every sinew. 



On the farther side of the brook is an open 

 earth, which may mean safety to the fox, and to us 

 the knell of all our hopes. Will they do it ? The 

 excitement is intense. They are gaining on him, his 

 stride is shortening, and now that young Belvoir 

 dog is not a yard behind his brush. Another inch 

 or two, a snap, a snarl, a worry, ^* Whoo-hoop ! " 

 and all is over. 



Slacken your pony's girths, put the reins over his 

 head, and fasten them to one stirrup-iron, then turn 



