128 THE WILLEY WHIPPER-IN. 



hand, is 1663. It is a relic still treasured by mem- 

 bers of tbe Wheatland Hunt, wlio look back to the 

 time when the shrill voice of Moody cheered the 

 pack over the heavy Wheatlands; and together 

 with his cap, of which we also give a representation, 

 is often made to do duty at annual social gatherings. 

 Tom was a small eight or nine stone man, with 

 roundish face, marked with small pox, and a pair of 

 eyes that twinkled with good humour. He possessed 

 great strength as well as courage and resolution, 

 and displayed an equanimity of temper which made 

 him many friends. The huntsman was John Sewell, 

 and under him he performed his duties in a way so 

 satisfactory to his master and all who hunted with 

 him, as to be deemed the best whipper-in in England. 

 None, it was said, could bring up the tail end of a 

 pack, or sustain the burst of a long chase, and be in 

 at the death with every hound well up, like Tom. 

 His plan was to allow his hounds their own cast 

 without lifting, unless they showed wildness ; and if 

 young hounds dwelt on a stale drag behind the pack 

 he whipped them on to those on the right line. He 

 never aspired to be more than *' a serving-man ; " he 

 wished, however, to be considered '' a good whipper- 

 in," ajid his fame as such spread through the country. 



