346 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



perhaps turn out a good huntsman, though not as a 

 certain sequence." Well, we are on the move now, 

 after the learned in such matters have expressed 

 their opinion on the merits and condition of the 

 pack ; and I heard one jealous chap, who has gained 

 a high reputation in the shires, remark, "^ Ah ! the 

 vale is tlieir province ; they can^t go over the open.'' 

 '' Can't they ? " sneered old Fowler of ours, who heard 

 the observation. " You^ll soon be satisfied on 

 that point." Another fellow said, " If there is a fox 

 in that patch of short gorse, they can^t get into it 

 to get him out of it." 



'' Now, Will," cried the old Squire, " let them go ; 

 and you will oblige me, gentlemen," he said cour- 

 teously, addressing the cavalcade of horsemen already 

 pressing forward, '^ if you will keep on this side the 

 covert, and leave the other open for the fox to have 

 a start. Don^t be nervous, gentlemen, my hounds 

 are so heavy and slow that they can^t run away from 

 you — can they, Mr. Staveley?" appealing to that 

 first-rate sportsman. 



Staveley appeared to be rather dull of hearing that 

 morning, as he made no reply ; but he was gathering 

 up his reins, and close to Will Headman, when his 

 hounds sprang into and buried themselves beneath 

 the dark green covert. In a few seconds the surface 

 of the gorse began to wave to and fro, like a field 

 of standing corn bending before the wind, then 

 heads appeared here and there above it, and ever 

 and anon the forms of Will Headraan^s favourites 

 were observed springing clean out of it, with a 

 short sharp note. 



