ALONE WITH JACK PARKER 35 



better part, and avoided the line by which the rest had 

 gone and become evidently pounded. 



" Hoick forrard, forrard there ! " roared Jack. " Coom 

 on, lad, coom on ; stick to me and Ar'll show ye what 

 sport means ! " and away he went, ramming his old horse 

 across the ridge and furrow, having left the road by a 

 friendly gate. 



Hounds were racing along a field ahead at a pace 

 which would have been good for any country, and 

 though it could hardly be said a sheet would have 

 covered them, still they were very well together, all 

 things considered. 



I settled myself down to follow my leader, judging 

 this to be the best course, after the experience I had had 

 of those who went their own way and suffered accord- 

 ingly. Skittles was a sweet mare and a fast one too, 

 so that there was no difficulty in keeping within easy 

 distance of Jack ; the only question was what wild feats 

 might be necessary to perform on the route. 



Even at that moment I saw him sit down and drive 

 his horse at best pace at a lowish stake-and-bound fence 

 in a way that showed he evidently apprehended mischief 

 on the other side. The big chestnut made a mighty 

 effort, and floundered about with his hind legs a good 

 deal on landing, before getting away. Jack actually 

 deigned to look round, and sang out cheerily to me: 

 "It's nowt\ send her at it!" Nor did he cease to 

 watch till I and Skittles were safely over the obstacle, 

 as big and ugly a looking "stell" as can be found in a 

 day's march. 



There was no time, however, to think of such matters. 

 The pace was, if anything, improving, and hounds 

 began to show a very considerable tail. Jack and I 



