CHASING AND RACING 93 



the most prominent and determined of my bitches, 

 joined in a duet with Landsman's bass. And then a 

 full, glorious chorus broke out, as the whole pack 

 struck the spot where reynard had curled himself up 

 to dream of poultry yards and vixens. In an incredibly 

 short space of time Wilson's halloa was heard, announc- 

 ing that the quarry was well away. I thrust Cinderella 

 at the rather trappy and hairy obstacle that divided the 

 common from the open grass. She was always a bit 

 impetuous at the start. She rushed the fence and 

 nearly came down, but she kept her legs and I my seat. 

 I pulled her up and touched the high notes of my horn, 

 a signal which my hounds knew well. Out they 

 streamed, with very few lingerers. Wedlock, one of 

 the Curraghmore bitches, was the first to pick up the 

 line ; she threw her head up, striking an exultant and 

 musical note which brought the whole bunch into 

 action. Away they went, heads up, sterns down, at 

 their best driving pace. Ye gods ! What a sight to 

 thrill the heart ! What a sound to enchant the ear ! 

 Forr'ard, forr'ard, forr'ard ee wye ! Nothing but 

 grass in front of us, but the clay soil rather holding, 

 so that the canine element had the foot of the equine and 

 its burdens. 



The select little field was well away, with the excep- 

 tion of one unfortunate wight who was riding a half- 

 baked young 'un which turned turtle at the very first 

 fence. Neither colt nor rider was hurt. Having 

 remounted, the latter, I am told, took his mount back 



