204 LEAVES FROM A GAME BOOK. 



A further incident that put me to some confusion 

 also occurred that day. It had been arranged overnight 

 between my host and I, that on the next day he would 

 conduct H.R.H. to his stand at each beat, while, as I 

 knew the wood well, to me was deputed the placing of 

 the other guns, this being done so that the head keeper 

 might be absolutely free to superintend the stopping 

 and beating. Just before luncheon the Duke and his 

 host were some fifty yards in advance of the rest of 

 the party, all going along a very muddy ride to take up 

 positions for the ensuing beat. Whilst progressing in 

 this order, Phillips, who was busily talking to his royal 

 guest, in a moment of inattention to business, turned 

 into a ride which I knew did not lead to the spot chosen 

 for the Duke's stand, and, anxious to put matters 

 right, I trotted forward, calling out as I got near my 

 host, " Hold hard, George," when, to my confusion and 

 dismay, H.R.H. turned round and blandly remarked, 

 " Well, what is it ? " I began a hasty explanation, 

 but ere it was completed the Duke had grasped the 

 situation, and, laughing pleasantly, he said, "He ought 



