THE NIGHT-HUNT IN KECESS. 77 



barely time to commence their first snooze, having taken it 

 for granted that we are where dutiful and obedient sons should 

 be at such an hour — in the land of Nod — when by sundry 

 silent exhibitions of our skill at escalading, we have made our 

 escape from the sacred precincts of authority, and are off to 

 Sambo's Quarter, footing it with a fluttering heart beneath 

 the uncertain starlight. 



Now as we had been prohibited from joining in " night- 

 hunts," first, on the ground that they injured our health, and 

 secondly, on the ground that they were dangerous, and third 

 and lastly, on the ground that it was highly undignified that 

 young gentlemen " to the manor born," and just from college, 

 too, should go out hunting with " the servants :" we of course, 

 with the heavy portent of all these formidable indictments 

 hanging over us, felt that discovery would be attended with 

 just the requisite amount of danger to give piquancy to the 

 commencement of an enterprise. 



If our pulse was quickened, our heels were not less so by 

 such considerations. We were sinning on the strength of our 

 instincts, and we knew it ! We pause at the several cross- 

 paths on the way, to wait for the other young recusants who 

 were to join us. One after another they come in, each usually 

 attended by a favorite servant not far from his own age, who 

 has been admitted to his confidence. Joyously enough we 

 begin to gabble as the distance between us and the awful 

 shadows of the "Big House" is increased. Soon the 



'< Long leveled rule of streaming light," 



for a sight of which the bewitched lady in Comus prayed, 

 "visits" us, and as we approach, the one ruddy "level" 

 divides itself into many a narrow fitful stream from the open 

 doors and glowing hearths of the " Quarter !" 



The crossing of shadows to and fro shows that all there is 

 alert. We hear the subdued too-oot of a horn, and the low 

 opening howl of the gathering dogs in answer. We begin to 



