208 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



the hounds could get together, the start had been made 

 by some furious riders, who went away at once with the 

 fox, the hounds having to thread their way through the 

 horses. The race then began in earnest, and I never 

 shall forget the scene as long as I live. About a hun- 

 dred and fifty horsemen were at once scattered over the 

 downs, riding at the top of their speed, in almost all 

 directions ; some following the hounds, but a greater 

 number, not liking the undulating nature of the ground, 

 cutting corners, and hustling each other by cross riding. 

 The falls were terrific, even on this fine elastic turf. 

 One man I met who had such a stunning purl, that he 

 was actually riding back again, not knowing in what 

 direction the hounds were going. But I had no time to 

 make further observations, being thoroughly occupied 

 with my own horse, which I had some trouble to steer 

 over this deceitful ground. A youngster on a thorough 

 bred passed me with a loose rein, and the spurs digging 

 into his horse's sides. " You will kill your horse at that 

 rate," I exclaimed ; " and it is of little use, for no fox 

 can hold this pace much longer." " I don't care," he 

 said, " but if I can't be first I won't be last." " No fear 

 of that, if you only look behind you, and see what a 

 cavalcade there is in the rear." At that time there was 

 one long extended line of horses, as far as the eye could 

 reach. The Leicestershire squire, who was now cutting 

 corners, having deserted the hounds, rode with me some 

 part of the run. " Is this fast enough for you ?" I in- 

 quired, " you see these big lumbering brutes can run a 

 little sometimes. I thought you, at least, would keep 

 them company." " I admit," he replied, " that I never 

 saw hounds go faster ; but, unluckily, I am on my vale 



