30 MEMORIES OF MEN AND HORSES 



divest himself of an air of conscious superiority to men 

 so immaculately got up. Once when hounds were at 

 fault near Raskelf, and the late Colonel Fairfax one 

 of the best of York and Ainsty Masters was about 

 trying a small larch plantation to the left of where Jack 

 was stationed, he, Jack, pointing to a bit of cover on the 

 right, opened his mouth and spoke : 



"Coom back, man! T thing 'at you're leeakiri for's 

 ge'an doon there!" 



This was said with great disdain, as if a York and 

 Ainsty Master or fox were wholly unworthy of 

 consideration. 



To return to the day in question. Everything seemed 

 favourable to sport, though a long delay was necessitated 

 by Lord Feversham, who, though not even nominally 

 the Master, was the principal subscriber to the hounds, 

 and had to be treated with deference, no matter how 

 exasperating his late hours made him to those who 

 arrived in time. 



There were some thirty mounted men at the meet, 

 including those who bestrode ponies and donkeys, the 

 majority being farmers with rough, unkempt young 

 horses that might develop into something some day, 

 while there were a few business-like old sportsmen 

 who looked as though they meant to see the fun, though 

 they might not be able to go any great pace. 



Jack Parker helped the time to pass more lightly by 

 his rough "quips and cranks," especially taking me and 

 a friend for his butts, and prophesying how he would 

 show " them York chaps a thing or two " before the day 

 was over. 



At last, about twelve o'clock, there was a relieved 

 cry of "Here he comes!" and, sure enough, Lord 



