SCENES FROM THE SADDLE. 



Cub -hunting. 



4///; Opening Day. 



CUB-HUNTING in autumn hath charms of its own, 

 That but for a short time re-visit the earth. 

 Till darkness of winter o'er all things is thrown, 

 That grace with their presence a new season's birth. 



Night dews, like sleep-tears each green blade adorn, 



Soft breath and sweet smile steal o'er the world's face. 

 Pearl grey and rose tint speak opening morn, 



Sing to the horseman the charms of the chase 

 As early he rides where the note of the horn 



Wakes Reynard from sleep, to enter life's race ; 

 Tell young hound and cub to strife they were born, 



The value in life of boldness and pace. 



A picture that's new, in a frame that is old. 



With new horses, new hounds, new foxes, old friends, 



New pleasures, and those of past seasons re-told. 

 Cub-hunting to life living scenery lends. 



It is early in September that the young fox first learns 

 that he has enemies, that his sanctum is liable to invasion, and 

 it is then that the young hound's instincts have their first 

 opportunity in life. To take advantage of the lingering dews 

 and coolness of night, cub hunting must arouse the w^oods in 

 the early morning hours. It can only be in happy and natural 

 surroundings in a woodland district, for where there are corn- 

 lands no hunting can take place until later in the year, when 

 all the crops have been reaped. The morning lights and the 

 woodland colours of September form a beautiful picture for 

 the early-rising rider's enjoyment. The woodlands and moor- 

 land pastures are also the hunting-field of the last days of the 

 season amid the delightful setting of the late days of April and 

 early May. ^^ 



