312 



FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



ridges or for lack of breath and strength were riding wider 

 for a trio of gates. Now they bore leftward over two fences 

 that should have been ." flying," but at this period had better 

 been termed " crashing." And now they were on the verge of 

 Catesby Hill. (Only twenty minutes to here, but such 

 minutes !) Fox would not face hill or House, so breasted the 

 steep hillside still more to the left. Every horse was at a walk, 

 and many men led up in thoughtful not to say forced 



humanity. And on the hill top was a first ploughed field, then 

 the Staverton and Catesby road and in the road a gallant 

 Lancer walking round his steed, only to call Time ten seconds 

 later and bid him go again to the lead of a brother-in-arms, 

 Capt. Atherton. Another older member of the Whitecollar 

 Hunt, Mr. Woodrooffe, was also very forward here. Then, beyond 

 the road there frowned the tufted pinnacle of Studboro' Hill, 

 shutting hounds for the minute completely from view. But a 

 sportive shepherd was on the summit, waving his cap in en- 

 couragement and advice. Some took a gate to gallop round 

 its right base, others an equally ready means to circle its left. 



