CHAPTER VI. 



" The Hunt is up, the morn is bright and gray." 



SIR WILLIAM'S second mastership lasted for six years, 

 and was in every way again a most successful one. 

 In the season 1884-5, the best days were November 13th, 

 when hounds killed on the lawn at Elwick Hall, after fifty- 

 five minutes; the following day, November 14th, when they 

 found a brace at Sutton's whin and ran hard without a 

 check to Saltergill (Captain Temple's place), in the Hur- 

 worth country ; December 15th, when they had forty-five 

 and fifty-five minutes, both very good, in the Butterwick 

 country; and January 21st (the Croxdale Hall day), when 

 they killed in the coal cellar adjoining the private chapel at 

 Croxdale Hall,* after finding in the Mill wood, Rushy ford, 

 on a very windy day. 



It was on November 26th, 1884, that a fox and four 

 leading hounds were drowned in Heugh Hall pit shaft, as 

 graphically narrated by Bevans. 



1885-6 is described in the diary as the very worst on 

 record, both as regards scent and stoppages owing to frost. 



• Whilst the for was being broken up on the lawn, old "Magnet" had a look round the 

 larder, and made away with iilbs. of beef and Gibs, of sausages. 



