LETTER XVIII. 



Our sayings and doings having made rather a noise in 

 the country, and it being spread abroad that the strangers 

 were to be at Burton Gate on Friday, every animal, from 

 a mule to a cart-horse, was put in requisition, and a large 

 and motley field assembled to meet us at the fixture. 

 A venerable old squire, too, who ranked first in the 

 country, at this time returned home, and made his ap- 

 pearance. He had heard of our performances, and being 

 of a cheerful and generous disposition, fond of the sport, 

 and an admirer of both quick hounds and quick horses, 

 always keeping thorough-bred stock himself, and a horse 

 to improve the breed amongst the farmers, he was a 

 great and deserved favourite. He came up at once and 

 made my acquaintance, said he was glad to hear of my 

 knocking the foxes about — ^just what they wanted. "Yes, 

 Sir," I said, " I think they will bear thinning out a little." 

 " Quite my opinion." " But there are some of your 

 neighbours who think we are a very crazy lot, and are 

 very hard upon us." " Never mind them, young gentle- 

 man, you may reckon me among your friends, and old 

 James Dunbar is not to be sneezed at — rattle away, and 

 I will help you through thick and thin." 



With many thanks for his proffered assistance, we 

 proceeded to draw a small coppice, which lay just inside 



