270 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



The quarry is now running in view across a wide, 

 undulating wheat-stubble, and heading for a disused 

 sandpit, which is simply honey-combed with rabbit- 

 burrows, amongst which Master Pug might find a haven 

 of refuge from his pursuers. "Forrard ! forrard ! forrard ! " 

 shrieks the huntsman, as he cheers on the eager hounds 

 in his anxiety to " blood them," and knowing full well 

 that if once the cub gains the rabbit-warren, he will save 

 his mash But mark ! the little vulpine hero changes 

 his line, and points for the ozier-fringed brook which 

 shimmers under the bright rays of the sun like a streak 

 of silver. A " burst " of fifteen minutes without a 

 momentary check occurring would severely try the mettle 

 of the staunchest cub ever whelped, and the straight- 

 necked little beggar before us begins to lag perceptibly. 

 Hounds gain upon him at every stride, and, as he takes a 

 " header " into the sedgy brook, the handsome, badger- 

 pied son of old Doctor closes his fangs with an ugly "snap" 

 within an inch of his brush. Now, with a mighty splash, 

 the pack plunge into the turbid water and swim towards 

 " the little red varmint," who is still gallantly struggling 

 to reach the ozier-bed on the far side of the stream. But 

 his last bolt is shot. " Who- whoop, tear 'un and eat 

 'un ! " Alas ! that that game cub did not live to run 

 another day. 



