First Whipper-in. m 



Worrall and I worked hand in glove together now. They 

 were real good farmers and puppy-walkers in the Vale of 

 White Horse country; good all-round fox-hunting men, and 

 a good collection of sporting farmers were present at every 

 meet; not badly mounted, too, and keen as a "jorum" of 

 mustard. For example there was Mr. R. Cradock, of 

 Bibury, a noted fox preserver, and to whom many gave the 

 credit of having brought the Greatwood fox from Devon- 

 shire, and turned him down in Tadpole gorse. This gentle- 

 man was very particular about where the " field " went on 

 his land, and some queer stories used to be told of his 

 language to those who offended in this respect. One day a 

 gentleman and young lady unfortunately trespassed on the 

 wrong side of the covert, when Mr. R. Cradock dropped his 

 eye on them, and didn't forget to ask where they came from. 

 He made use of language not easily printable, but I distinctly 

 remember the words, " Where there 's three in a family 

 they 're all fools. The father 's a fool, and the mother 's a 

 fool, and the child is bound to be a fool." He 'd have 

 given anybody six months if they 'd gone near that covert 

 on a non-hunting day ! Then there was Mr. Joe Cradock, 

 of Cricklade, a real good hunting sort, and dozens of others, 

 many of whose names I have forgotten, though I can 

 remember their horses as well as if it was yesterday. 



I became first whipper-in to the Vale of White Horse 

 after one season as second, and Will Wells (now huntsman 

 of the Hertfordshire) succeeded me as second whip. Wells 

 was a very nice fellow, and we were great pals. He will 

 remember his first mount, "Yellow Dwarf," at the Vale of 

 White Horse until his dying day, for if I remember rightly 

 he had to borrow some new hunting kit, was bucked off in 

 his smart clothes at the meet, and stabbed or lamed his 



