SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 331 



miles in advance^ where I ruuned this gentleman 

 last year, early in the season^ and as the earth were 

 not stopped, in course he beat us." 



"Is the earth stopped now?" 



" No, sir, not that I know of ; we must not stop 

 earths in our neighbour's country, and that old hole 

 don^t belong to us. However, he is running very 

 straight for it as yet, and we may get a turn in our 

 favour. Ah ! there he has it ; Jailor marks him 

 down the middle of the road. Have at him, old 

 fellow ! we are safe to hit him any side when he 

 crosses/' 



For half a mile down the road into a valley below. 

 Jailor with old Saracen pertinaciously marked his 

 pad, and then over the fence into a bit of veritable 

 meadow the body of the pack dashed, running the 

 w^hole length of the enclosure at more than half 

 speed. 



'^ We are warming up a little," remarked John 

 Staveley ; " but where's Jem ? he has slipped us 

 coming down the road, where the two lanes meet at 

 the top of the village." 



" Gone to get a stopping of baccy for his pipe. 

 Squire, perhaps, or a glass of beer; but we don't 

 want him just now. Jack will do all we requires." 



" I did not think Jem was given to those mal- 

 practices, smoking and drinking," continued Mr. 

 Staveley. 



" Nor I, sir ; but I'm a-thinking he has smoked 

 something to more purpose than a baccy pipe. 

 They're a-running now, by Jingo, Squire, up that 

 side of the hill, and there's a pretty little bit of 



