268 FOX-HOUXD, FOREST, AXD PRAIRIE. 



still and they for a moment had their heads up in a fresh- 

 turned fallow. Quickly, though, they sped on ; gave the water- 

 jumpers yet another easy opportunity at the Everdon Brook, 

 and pointed for Stowe Wood. Headed back when within half 

 a mile or so of this, their fox gained the next hill wood of 

 Everdon Stubbs ; and made for home again by threading the 

 covert and running a- muck through apparently the entire 

 population of Everdon, assembled behind the village. He 

 reached Badby Wood with an hour's hard work completed ; 

 and there, I fancy and others fancy that he at once shifted 

 the burden of the day on to fresher shoulders. A tired fox 

 would scarcely have lived through the racing turn they gave 

 him round the whole extent of the wood ; and, though the run 

 recommenced from the same point of exit as before, the venom 

 was out of the pursuit. They hunted up to what we have 

 suggested as the Great Earth of Daventry ; and it is believed 

 they left him there. Time, one hour and three-quarters, or 

 thereabouts. 



But now, on coming back to the Laurels at Fawsley House, it 

 was told the huntsman by one who makes gas a true speaker 

 in this instance, too, in spite of his occupation " A tired fox 

 has gone in there. I'll show you exactly where he lay down." 

 And there he lay still ! But was up in a moment ; and with 

 hounds again at his brush, raced back the one mile to Hogstaff 

 reaching a rabbit hole before they could pull him down ! 



This is the story of Monday told rather wordily perhaps, 

 but told while the events remain fresh. The run was a sound 

 and good one though it went in a ring and ended without 

 blood. I attempt no full list of those who shared in its plea- 

 sures. But among them I believe I am safe in naming Lord 

 Penrhyn, Lord Capell, Mr. and Mrs. C. Fitzwilliam, Mr. and 

 Mrs. Byass, Capt. Riddell, Capt. Faber, Messrs. Craven, Burton, 

 Rhodes, Loder, &c. 



