54 CHASING AND RACING 



me in good stead in the outwitting of the tricky and 

 elusive hare. When I took on the O.B.H. this worthy 

 became my coachman and stud groom. At Parmoor 

 I met the Cripps family, the eldest of whom, when 

 raised to the peerage, took the name of his residence for 

 his title. The second son Harrison, with whom I 

 struck up a pleasant friendship, became a celebrated 

 surgeon, and being an enthusiastic salmon fisher as 

 well as an all-round sportsman we had much in 

 common. 



With the Hambleden Vale pack and my own to 

 choose from, I was able to select the best hounds from 

 each and draft the surplus ; so that I now had a level, 

 handsome lot of workers to represent the amalgamated 

 " Missenden and Hambleden Vale Harriers." In 

 connection with this drafting I have a strange tale to 

 tell, which illustrates to a remarkable degree the 

 homing instinct possessed by the canine race. 



Two couples and a half of my draft I sent to a 

 brother M.H. in Wales, as being an inch below my 

 standard (18 ins.). They were coupled up and placed 

 in the guard's van, which was closed in so that they 

 could not possibly see the country through which they 

 were passing. They were safely delivered, but the 

 following day I received a wire from my friend which 

 ran : ' * Your hounds broken kennel and disappeared. 

 Please make inquiries your end." 



For three days nothing was heard of the truants, 

 but on the evening of the third, the K.H. was aroused 



