SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTIXG. 377 



let tliem have the carcase at once, for my coat 

 seems frozen to my back, and Jem looks as if a hot 

 glass of brandy- and- water would just save his life. 

 Moreover, we can get some gruel at the Queen's 

 Head for the horses, and all on our road home." 



" Ah ! squire, that's the ticket," said Jem, in 

 high glee, " for I do feel much more like a moving 

 icicle than a whipper-in ; that last plunge into the 

 river, when you and master went over the bridge, 

 pretty nigh did for me and the poor mare. We were 

 a longsome time under water; and when we com^d 

 up, the current took us down stream, and I began 

 to think we never should land, when the miller hove 

 in sight, and beckoned me to guide her to where he 

 was standing on the bank; and being a strong man, 

 he laid hold on her head, and dragged her out." 



" Now then, Will, quick march ; give me the 

 brush and take your horse, I shall foot it for a mile 

 to get warm." 



" And so shall I, squire, and then we can talk 

 about scent the while." 



" What's the matter with Jem, Will ? he seems 

 to have got a fit." 



"No^ he, squire; he only turned hisself on his 

 back, and is kicking up his heels to let the water 

 out of his boots." 



" Ha ! ha ! ha ! not a bad plan either ; but I 

 always have a gimlet-hole in the sole of mine, to let 

 it run out." 



'^ Well, squire, I guess that is something new." 



" New or old. Will, ^tis an easy way of letting off 

 the steam, when we have too much of it ; and as it 



