TWO HARE-HUNTS 



a view, and with a wonderful burst of music rave after 

 the little brown form fleeting away in front of them. 

 They run in the direction of Eastbourne ; scent is at 

 present extremely catchy, and after ten or twelve 

 minutes' chase they check at the road near some water- 

 works and are at fault. What became of this hare 

 no man can say. She has been clever enough to elude 

 the pack, and after a long and careful cast or two the 

 master gives it up and harks back westward to find 

 a fresh hare. We have a somewhat large field out, in- 

 cluding a couple of score of enthusiastic schoolboys, 

 and at present huntsman and hounds have scarcely had 

 room and margin enough for fair hunting. However, 

 that drawback will have speedily vanished, so soon 

 as hounds get a fair start and settle thoroughly to their 

 work. 



Working a little to the right hand, we draw a piece 

 of plough, where no less than four hares are afoot. 

 The pack divides upon two of these, and, with a 

 glorious duet upon the clear wintry air, away flings the 

 chase. We follow the main body of the pack, which 

 now, drawing well clear of the foot-folk, drive steadily 

 upon the line, across the East Dean road, and sink 

 a grassy valley, down the bottom of which they 

 presently push their game in first-rate fashion. We 

 have now sorted our field. The mere sightseers have 

 vanished ; only a score or so of keen foot-hunters, in- 

 cluding a lady or two, the schoolboys — bareheaded and 

 in football kit for the most part — and some masters, are 

 within hail. Two mounted men accompany hounds, our 

 master, on a useful grey, and a farmer. In their own 

 peculiar country — about Pevensey Marshes, Herstmon- 

 ceux, and Hailsham — these harriers are invariably 

 hunted on foot. When they visit the downs, where 

 hares run very wide and very far, and hounds get 



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