THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 159 



fox. We had a laughable instance of this about the end 

 of last season: when drawing Batch Wood/ with Httle 

 or no reasonable hope of finding (having recently dis- 

 turbed this good preserve for foxes), one hound chal-» 

 lenged near the outside of the northernmost quarter, 

 where there was scarcely covering enough for an earwig ; 

 I chanced to have placed myself there ; while the pack 

 were drawing the opposite side. With one cheer to an 

 old favourite, and one signal from the horn to his com- 

 rades, we had instantly a crash which shook the few 

 remaining leaves from off the oaks. While I was in full 

 enjoyment of the chorus of the whole body close at a 

 fox in hollow covert, not caring to look for a view within; 

 a farmer, one of the most knowing of those who do Iniow, 

 who had protested in the first instance against the reality 

 of the find, rode up to me, almost breathless with haste, 

 exclaiming, '' Stop them, for heaven's sake ! and if I was 

 in your place, sir, I would hang the whole pack. They 

 are running hare, and nothing else; I have seen her close" 

 before them these three rings that they have brought 

 her round." Quietly expressing my full belief that his 

 eyes had not deceived him as to the hare, I promised 

 him, if he would remain a moment with me, to shew him 

 something else ; however improbable he might think it, 

 that a fox should be, vdiere nothing but a hare or rabbit 

 was visible. I had scarcely spoken, before the gallant 

 fellow broke over the open, with the pack at his brush. 



