ME. SPONGE'S SPORTING TOUR. 31!> 



cost, is generally anything but close by. Nor was Jog's close by, 

 close by on this occasion. 



" There," said Jog, after they had got crawled up Trampington 

 Hill ; " that's it (putt) to the right, by the (wheeze) water 

 there," pointing to a plantation about a mile olr", with a pond 

 shining at the end. 



Just as Mr. Sponge caught view of the water, the twang of a 

 horn was heard, and the hounds came pouring, full cry, out of 

 cover, followed by about twenty variously-clad horsemen, and our 

 friend had the satisfaction of seeing them run clean out of sight, 

 over as fine a country as ever was crossed. Worst of all, he 

 thought he saw Leather pounding away on the chestnut. 



CHAPTER XLV. 



HUNTING THE HOUNDS. 



Trampington Hill, whose summit they had just reached a? 

 the hounds broke cover, commanded an extensive view over the 

 adjoining vale, and, as Mr. Sponge sat shading his eyes with his 

 hands from a bright wintry sun, he thought he saw them come to 

 a check, and afterwards bend to the left. 



" I really think," said he, addressing his still perspiring com- 

 panion, " that if you were to make for that road on the left," 

 (pointing one out as seen between the low hedge-rows in the 

 distance) " we might catch them up yet." 



"Left (puff), left (wheeze) ? " replied Mr. Jogglebury Crowdey, 

 staring about with anything but the quickness that marked his 

 movements when he dived into Hackberry Dean. 



" Don't you see," asked Sponge, tartly, "there's a road by the 

 corn-stacks yonder ? " pointing them out. 



"I see," replied Jogglebury, blowing freely into his shirt-frill. 

 "I see," repeated he, staring that way; "but I think (puff) 

 that's a mere (wheeze) occupation road, leading to (gasp) no- 

 where." 



" Never mind, let's try ! " exclaimed Mr. Sponge, giving the 

 rein a jerk, to get the horse into motion again ; adding, " it's no 

 use sitting here, you know, like a couple of fools, when the hounds 

 are running." 



"Couple of (puff) ! " growled Jog, not liking the appellation, 

 and wishing to be home with the long holly. " I don't see any- 

 thing (wheeze) foolish in the (puff) business." 



" There they are I " exclaimed Mr. Sponge, who had kept his 

 eye on the spot he last viewed them, and now saw the horsemen 



