HEMPLOW IN THE SNOW. 301 



Thence across the valley to Hernplow was a simple measure 

 and there they killed the stiff one. A right good hunt of 

 an hour. 



We had yet another hour from the Hemplow we all saw 

 the fox, and rode like dare-devils into the snow-flecked vale 

 and its obvious gates, the more readily that a liveried second 

 horseman had announced the only trap by turning a treble 

 one over snow-covered cart ruts. (I don't think I am singular 

 in this respect, but whenever I feel a more than ordinary aver- 

 sion to taking a cropper myself say, when like bold Reynard 

 I am fat after a frost it does amuse rne beyond all reason to 

 witness a little unnecessary catastrophe such as this.) Re- 

 member, we go out to be boys and verily we are boyish indeed 

 after a three weeks' frost. Let the old man be assumed on 

 the morrow or in summer. " Then why should we wait till 

 to-morrow ? " is the popular refrain of the winter and may 

 we ever be where foxhunting is " Queen of my heart to-night." 

 'Tis getting late the uproar of the usual Shuckburgh gale is 

 thundering already and I have another snow-hampered gallop 

 to tell. This was brisker yet than the former. Such a country 

 too ! We were with them now, and again we weren't. For 

 they ran fast, and we were, perforce, mildly cunning. They 

 hunted over the edge of the Stanford Hall Estate. (If you doubt 

 me, go and tick off those stone emblazonments on each corner !). 

 We snapped hounds at a wavering moment under Yelvertoft 

 village ; and with reckless determination followed them over a 

 six-inch hedge that stood between us and the Lilbourne road. 

 Providence is often very good, it is said, to those in extremis. 

 We will leave that for more serious case. But it was remark- 

 able to-day that, though we (I say we, for nobody put us to 

 shame more than once or twice and then a snowdrift) could 

 never tackle a strong Northamptonshire fence, the country 

 came marvellously easy, save for the weight of the snow- 

 embedded gates. Hounds ran gloriously half-way to Lilbourne 

 village, and we made the road sound joyously. Fox made a 

 sudden break back. Why ? Because he had eaten fowls there 



