188 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



I shall not take a leaf out of your book, at any rate. 

 Give me the fox, Jim. Now, gentlemen, if you please, 

 just let us have a little elbow room, as these poor hounds 

 are craving to taste a bit of fox once more." 



Upon Jim handing me the fox, the old gentleman said 

 aloud, " A heavy vixen, poor brute !" and walked away. 

 My hackles were up at this unfair accusation. " Come 

 here, Jim," I said ; " take these tokens (cutting them out, 

 and wrapping them in a piece of paper before the field) 

 to that gentleman, with my compliments." Jim hesi- 

 tated. " Do as I bid you, instantly. Sir," I added. 

 Following my snarling enemy, he overtook him in a body 

 of his friends, and taking off his cap, respectfully said, 



" Master's compliments, Mr. , and hopes you will be 



now satisfied this dorit belong to a vixen,^* His friends 

 could not restrain their laughter at James's demure but 

 wicked look, as he tendered his credentials. Out it 

 came, " Hah, hah, hah, capital, he has you now, doctor." 

 The old gentleman was furious, but Jim skipped back in 

 a trice to assist at the orgies. So much for Mr. Slow- 

 man's day. 



