LETTER XVII. 183 



Lookers-on generally see the most of a fight, and Jim 

 and I had been watching the proceedings like a brace of 

 fresh greyhounds, impatient of the slips. We had ridden 

 all over the covert, to see the ins and outs, and knov^ 

 the colours of the different riders to a T — that is, the 

 foxes. They were all of the bull-dog species, small and 

 dark ; but there was one much darker than the others, 

 and slower in his movements ; in fact, the fox we had 

 been running in the morning. Taking Jim with me in 

 the drives, I pointed out to him this fox, as he crossed 

 over two or three times. " That's our man, Jim, when 

 we begin the row, mark him well, and don't make a 

 mistake." " All right. Sir ; but what am I to say to 

 Mr. Slowman when he pitches into me, which he will do 

 to a certainty ?" *^ Say you must help him a bit, as he 

 seems nearly tired." 



I had been with the hounds, whispering a word or two 

 in their ears occasionally, when, time being up by my 

 watch, I posted myself where the fox crossed, drew my 

 horn quietly out, and, upon my dark friend making his 

 appearance, with a shrill blast or two, and a scream 

 which made him jump again, I commenced business. 

 Jim was behind the hounds, ready for the signal. " Hark, 

 halloo," cried Jim, " to him, my lads — get away !" and, 

 hustling them away, down they came, crashing through 

 the underwood, all alive. Cap in hand, I cheered them 

 over the drive, with "Have at him again!" and, riding 

 with them, they set to work in right good earnest, and 

 we made the welkin ring again. " What's all this row ?" 

 exclaimed one of the field. " Oh, 1 know," replied the 

 reverend divine, " those two mad fellows have got hold 

 of the hounds." " So much the better," quoth his neigh- 



