174 REMINISCENCES OF A HUNTSMAN. 



the wliippers-in went to the cover to quell the mutiny ; 

 but the saddle being easier than thorns, they did not 

 dismount ; and the spinny being too small for a ride, 

 of course they did not get at the mischief-makers. 

 The riot continued, and some of the ears of the en- 

 tered hounds began to cock at the continued cry, and 

 like the wild beasts that Van Amburgh's rival used 

 to exhibit in a cage at the theatres, as it only needed 

 a stumble with his hoop to make the lions and leo- 

 pards rise from their quietude and tear him to pieces, 

 so it only required a little angry noise from Jack to 

 breed a further quarrel. Jack at last began to rate 

 the rioters in cover from among the steady lot around 

 him, and even to crack his whip, by the swing of the 

 lash of which one or two hounds at his heels got hit, 

 and they cried out. At this moment, Jack's master lost 

 his temper, and sticking the spurs into his horse he 

 bolted to aid the wliippers-in. He should, with that 

 laudable intent, have left the pack quietly instead of 

 bolting off; the consequence of this example was, that 

 some of the more impatient spirits whom I had seen 

 cock their ears, bolted off with him and joined the 

 riot. To crown the whole affair. Jack Stephens bolted 

 off too with all the hounds with him, and got into 

 the plantation, cutting at every hound he could see. 

 Such a riot 1 never saw in my life ! Having long 

 before observed considerable jealousy towards me, and 

 a wish among some of his field to prevent Mr. Wilkins 

 from taking my advice, I made it a rule not to inter- 

 fere ; but on this occasion, seeing that the poor 

 hounds who were not hunting hare had no place to go 

 to, and that if they neared their huntsman they were 

 cut over, I simply rode near the cover and stood still. 

 In a moment a lot of hounds, not having any hunts- 



