40 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIlilE. 



meeting line thither, giving inquisitive travellers a passing 

 glimpse of such classic localities as John O'Gaunt, The Coplow, 

 and Scraptoft Holt. 



The Quorn had their maiden scurry on Monday, Oct. 2, from 

 Gartree Hill, which a month hence will be resplendent with fair 

 company and fine clothing for our gala day. It was scarcely so 

 this morning at least there was little of the resplendent about 

 the select assemblage clustered there an hour before shaving- 

 time. Six autumn captains waited on the Master, and saw just 

 a fox apiece break away. Hounds were loosed upon the last 

 fugitive ; and fox hunting again became a reality. So the early 

 birds sped over three fields, and opened as many gates, to Bur- 

 dett's Covert. An old fox took up the cue and the fun began. 

 The Great Dalby parish is fascinating ground at any time. But 

 fascination and fear may be associated ; and the latter was by 

 far the dominant sensation now. So everyone stuck manfully 

 to the road for five minutes, and let hounds get half a mile start 

 of them, before conceiving the idea that fences were only put 

 into Leicestershire to make it pleasant riding. Coming to their 

 right minds, they suddenly set to work to follow. But there was 

 a curious novelty in the moving scene as the pack came down 

 the vale from Dalby Windmill, heading for Melton. Old and 

 bold Reynard was well in front and so, contrary to all accepted 

 usage, were hounds, with regard to their field. The young entry, 

 however, had scarcely yet dropped into the spirit of the thing ; 

 had failed to get quick enough through Burdett's Covert, and 

 were now bustling on in keen curiosity after the two redcoated 

 figures representing huntsman and whip. At a long interval 

 half a dozen darkly clad horsemen straggled after ; but over the 

 Dalby and Gartree Hill road the pack had it all their own way ; 

 while the little coterie behind them mounted the hillside in a 

 kind of dazed bewilderment as to what new experience might 

 overtake them next. Their horses were lathering and blowing 

 already ! they had accomplished a fence or two, it is true, but 

 how 7 and in what fashion they themselves would have been 

 puzzled to tell except that the place looked green and looked 



