SCTEXCE OF FOXHUNTING. 309 



CHAPTER XXXVII. 



*' All at once the pack 

 Witli gveedy nostrils sniff'd the fuming steam 

 That glads their flutt'ring hearts ; as winds let loose 

 From the dark caverns of the blust'ring god 

 They burst away, and sweep the dewy lawn." 



"Will Headman handling his hounds — Jem the first whip — A wily 

 trickster outwitted — '' Finis coronat opus." 



Will Headman knew when to let well alone. 

 His lips, however, moved a little as he muttered, 

 "Ah! you^re a fine one, and I shall know you 

 again ; and now I know also the point where your 

 home lies ; that's enough for me. But, by Jove, he's 

 away!^^ as his quick eye caught a glimpse of his 

 friend springing into the field from the high wood 

 bank. " Ah ! that's the thing ! no hallooing now ; 

 the gents are all t'other side — the right side of the 

 M'ood for us. We shall have a fair start, and after 

 that no favour." 



No sooner had the fox cleared the second fence 

 over a large pasture field, than the forms of Will 

 Headman and his hunter were seen vaulting over 

 the deep ditch which bounded the coppice, and then 

 — not till then, when his darlings were settled well 

 down upon the scent — did a screech issue from his 

 throat, which cleared the wood of any young hound 

 which might have lingered behind. 



*^ Cheeringly ho ! merrily, cheeringly en we go," 



