DAYS STOLEN FOR SPORT 27 



Gate to Challacombe the road grew more and more 

 deserted, but ever varying. The long climb to 

 Breakneck Hole demanded our walking until we 

 reached the high, level road, where a view rewarded 

 us in the relief that comes when gazing on a wide 

 expanse of hill and dale while the wind blows 

 freely over miles and miles of heather. 



" Do you remember, Phil ? " 



" Remember what ? " was my reply. 



11 Have you forgotten, sir, that it was quite near 

 here we had that splendid run, during which we 

 twice sighted the stag, once so near that a burning 

 thrill of hope ran through me that Paddy would 

 hang to the voices of the dogs so that I might say 

 I was there when the stag was brought to bay. 

 The dear old horse knew my wish and thundered 

 on through the thin, damp mist, until it grew and 

 grew in blackness, and then I heard your frightened 

 call and had to give up all my hopes just when so 

 near fulfilment." 



" And, ' so near being in a bog ' was the thought 

 that made me spur and yell to stop that mad flight 

 of yours." 



" Well, I forgive your fears, Phil, but why forget 

 so soon that it was on that occasion you found a 

 soft spot in someone's too soft heart ? " 



" I remember quite distinctly, madam, every 

 incident of that day from the moment I caught 

 sight of you at the Meet on Paddy's fifteen three 

 with Dick Vellacott at your side on his long-legged, 

 bony grey, that can arch his neck and paw the 

 ground on any eminence from which a glimpse of 

 the hunt may be snatched. Your father seemed 

 much pleased, while talking to the parson, to note 



