104 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSMAN. 



iisino-s where there was any"amoimt of game, and also 

 what quantity of partridges I had at Stevington : I 

 mention the latter observation, as I shall have to allude 

 to it again. Incli by inch grew the wheat, and I 

 almost shouted when I saw the ears of corn, as it was 

 an indication that the first of July approached, about 

 which day the hunting, from time immemorial, in 

 those heavy woodlands, had commenced. At last, 

 the first day of cub-hunting was fixed ; the morning 

 came, and by half-past three, though it rained hard, 

 I was on the best little galloway that ever was foaled, 

 then only three years old, — my chesnut mare Freyia. 

 LongstatF, who had been gamekeeper to the grand- 

 father of the present Lord Northampton, — and a 

 pretty good one, from the quantity of game he once had 

 (the remnants of a good show of pheasants were still 

 in Yardley Chase when I first came there), — assured 

 me he had several litters of foxes ; and, depending on 

 his information, not having had time to inspect the 

 chase myself, I drew for them. I do not think there 

 was a cub in the chase. An old fox was kind enough 

 to give the hounds a view at him ; but from him I was 

 subsequently obliged to refrain, as he went into the 

 corn. Nevertheless, this old fox did me some good, 

 by showing himself to the eyes and noses of my main 

 dependence, the hounds that had hunted stag, and, at 

 a cheer from me, capped as I had an opportunity of 

 capping them to a view, they ran him right merrily. 

 I drew again, and, discovering that at least no one 

 belonging to the chase could show me where the cubs 

 had used, I resolved to return to the Harrold woods, 

 with which I was better acquainted. Large as the 

 quarters are, and tangled with blackthorn, briar, 

 hazel, oak, and luxurious grass, as the underwood is, 



