MISS BADSWORTH, M.F.H. 229 



" We must stop them somehow," Lavvy called out, and 

 the three rode for all they were worth to cut off the pack. 

 Within half a mile of Berryhead, just as a regular steeple- 

 chase had given a chance of getting to their heads, a long 

 stretch of wire opposed progress, and beyond again another 

 and another were visible. Hounds slipped through and ran 

 over the grass at an incredible pace. 



** Yonder he goes, ma'am, over the lawn in front of the 

 house," Ned said, struggling with a new white gate. 



" It's all up, now," Lavvy said. 



*' Knock the lock off, Ned ; we may as well be hung for 

 a sheep as a lamb," Jack shouted. The gate was opened ; 

 there were three more in a line but fortunately they were 

 low ; Mr. Tucker had saved a strand of wire and a bar in 

 his gates. 



The Banker, who was out that morning, was blown, but 

 he was good at timber ; he hit the third gate hard but re- 

 covered himself; Morgan's horse broke the top bar, and 

 Ned's destroyed what remained, and the three went for the 

 home covert with an eye on the gesticulating figure of Silas 

 Tucker hurrying in the same direction. So close were 

 hounds to their fox that they drove him through a corner 

 of the wood and rolled him over within a hundred yards of 

 the infuriated Silas. 



In a few moments Lavvy was there with a fine dog-fox 

 in her hand and Ned clearing a space, whilst Jack Morgan 

 sat on his horse and mopped his face in the background. 



Silas Tucker was forgotten ; the *' Whoo ! whoop ! " and 

 the horn drowned the mutterings of the rising storm. 



" I wonder where the other six couples are, Ned," Lavvy 

 said, as the first whip took off the mask and brush and 

 thrust pads into his pockets. 



" Haven't seen or heard them for some time, ma'am ; the 

 wind's so rough there's no telling. Back, Warrior," as a 

 hound nearly caught the carcase out of his hand. 



Lavvy took the mangled remains and held them aloft to 

 the accompaniment of a baying chorus. 



