213 ME. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUE. 



and the 'ounds are tied to their fox as it were ; but see them in 

 difficulties — a failing scent, 'ounds pressed upon by the field, fox 

 chased by a dog, storm in the air, big brook to get over to make a 

 cast. Oh, sir, sir, it makes even me, with all my acknowledged 

 science and experience, shudder to think of the ordeal one 

 undergoes ! " 



" Indeed," exclaimed Mr. Puffington, staring, and beginning to 

 think it mightn't be quite so easy as it looked. 



" I don't wish, sir, to dissuade you, sir, from the attempt, sir," 

 continued Mr. Bragg ; " far from it, sir — for he, sir, who never 

 makes an effort, sir, never risks a failure, sir, and in great at- 

 tempts, sir, 'tis glorious to fail, sir ;" Mr. Bragg sawing away at 

 his hat as he spoke, and then sticking the fox-head handle of his 

 whip under his chin. 



Puff stood mute for some seconds. 



" My Lord Scamperdale," continued Mr. Bragg, scrutinising 

 our friend attentively, "was as likely a man, sir, as ever I see'd, 

 sir, to make an 'untsman, for he had a deal of ret (rat) ketchin' 

 cunnin' about him, and, as I said before, didn't care one dim for 

 his neck, but a more signal disastrous failure was never recognised. 

 It was quite lamentable to witness his proceedins." 



" How ? " asked Mr. Puffington. 



" How, sir ? " repeated Mr. Bragg ; " why, sir, in all wayses. 

 He had no dog language, to begin with — he had little idea of 

 makin' a cast — no science, no judgment, no manner — no nothin' 

 — I'm dim'd if ever I see'd sich a mess as he made." 



Putf looked unutterable things. 



" He never did no good, in fact, till I fit him with Frostyface. 

 / taught Frosty," continued Mr. Bragg. " He whipped in to me 

 when I 'unted the Duke of Downeybird's 'ounds — nice, 'cute, 

 civil chap he was — of all my pupils — aud I've made some first-rate 

 'untsmeu, I'm dim'd if I don't think Frostyface does me about as 

 much credit as any on 'cm. Ah, sir," continued Mr. Bragg, with 

 a shake of his head ; "take my word for it, sir, there's nothin' 

 like a professional. S-c-e-u-s-e me, sir," added he, with a low 

 bow and a sort of military salute of his hat ; " but dim all 

 gen'l'men 'untsmen, say I." 



Mr. Bragg had talked himself into several good places, Lord 

 Reynard's and the Duke of Downeybird's among others. He had 

 never been able to keep any beyond his third season, his sauce or 

 his science being always greater than the sport he showed. Still 

 he kept up appearances, and was nothing daunted, it being a 

 maxim of his, that "as one door closed another opened." 



Mr. Puffington's was the door that now opened for him. 



What greater humiliation can a free-born Briton be subjected 

 to than paying a man eighty or a hundred pounds a-year, and 



