42 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



a couple of escaped lunatics ? " angrily cried the knight 

 of the hammer to Barker and myself, as he made a 

 vigorous but unsuccessful cut at the stag with his heavy 

 thong, very nearly unseating himself in the effort. 



Resenting somewhat the imperious manner of Mr L — , 

 my companion replied that as lovers of tame and 

 domestic animals we did not deem ourselves called upon 

 to disturb the noble beast at its mid-day meal. Then, in 

 the most courteous tone of voice, Barker asked how he 

 (L — ) and those of the field who accompanied him 

 managed to head the deer instead of riding to hounds in 

 the orthodox manner. 



What the worthy auctioneer would have replied will 

 never be known, for no sooner did he open his lips than 

 with a buck the stag cleared the fence, and a hoarse, 

 stomachic View holloa ! from Mr L — took the place 

 of what would probably have proved a scathing flow of 

 satire and vituperation. The stag meanwhile calmly 

 trotted some 200 yards along the fence and then re- 

 commenced his much -interrupted meal. 



The cry of the hounds was now heard, at first very 

 faintly, but the music increased in volume every moment 

 until the slowly hunting pack, followed by the Master 

 and huntsmen, came into view. 



Putting spurs to his horse, Mr L — , heedless of foiling 

 the line, galloped up to the huntsmen, shouting at the 

 top of his voice : " For God's sake stop 'em, or they'll 

 run into the stag." 



By the combined efforts of the M.S.H. and his lieu- 



