A ''Nailer'' to Hounds. 195 



be said that no one ever beat him. His, too, 

 was a lion's heart, but a soft one. 



Thomas Hooper, our worthy Hon. Secre- 

 tary, collected many pounds to assist in 

 maintaining the Hunt. When riding to 

 hounds, no one had a better knowledge of 

 the game. He was mostly ''there or there- 

 abouts." And Thomas was noted also for his 

 fine, crusty, old port. Genial and kind, and 

 much respected. 



Another good-hearted man was Fred 

 Archdale. He possessed every good trait of 

 a true English sportsman, inherited from all 

 branches of a sporting family. He was a 

 ''nailer" to hounds, quick in a burst, first to 

 a fence, and away " at the tail of the hounds." 



I have mentioned in a previous chapter 

 that my old friend, Will Chapman, a highly 

 esteemed lawyer, who resided at Potton, was 

 somewhat prone to be jealous in the field. Yet 

 he was a very good sportsman, and a true and 

 staunch supporter of the Hunt. I had a great 

 disappointment one day, in connection with 

 him. Before dinner one evening I was 



