FOX-HUNTING 151 



moment ; but not so Mr. Codling, who was 

 hot with excitement, and annoyed by my 

 efforts, which so far had only resulted in 

 boat-hooking the fox into deeper waters. 

 To lose the brush and his hat was too much, 

 and though it was sleeting and bitterly cold, 

 we both of us had difficulty in keeping our 

 language at a decent temperature. I was 

 too intent on my fishing, being up to the 

 waist and having a tug of war with the 

 hounds over the disputed trophy, to much 

 heed the noise of my companion. When, at 

 last, after a successful dive for the remains, 

 I regained the bank with the head, backbone, 

 and brush, I thought that he would be 

 appeased when I handed him the brush, for 

 by this time I was cool enough, dripping 

 and shaking all over ; but not a bit of it : 



