394 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



tration that good leathers, a good habit, and a good circulation 

 might easily laugh to score. And between times the sun would 

 shine out, a rich blue sky would beam forth, and the whole 

 heaven frame itself into a warm apology for the rudeness just 

 done. 



The woods beneath the place of meeting were drawn during a 

 very brief interim of calm. But, while a weak fox was chased 

 into the Fawsley Shrubberies and there killed, a far more vulgar 

 and uncompromising condition of weather prevailed. In fact, a 

 heavj^ snowstorm was raging and the only thing that could 

 without difficulty be discerned was a very pronounced longing on 

 the part of everyone to retire homewards as soon as self-respect, 

 or opportunity, would allow. 



Not so a quarter of an hour later, when great Badby Wood 

 was set alive. The field about 100 to-day as against 300 on 

 the Friday before (though for comparison sake, and as a comment 

 aside, I am free to assert that on the Friday in question a full 

 third of the number who trod the turf round the township were, 

 very properly, townsmen. The lesser crowd of to-day were very 

 hunting men, equally hunting ladies, and regularly hunting 

 farmers and these were all. Deduce what moral you like 

 but ask not me to wield the pen of controversy. Rather prove 

 to me if further damage was done to-day, in two average runs, 

 than would find a single carpenter work for a week and I will 

 wager you his wages for the sake of the County Infirmary). 



The Badby Wood fox took the drift of the storm clouds for his 

 index ; and with both sheets aft cut the Fawsley Estate by way 

 of the House and the Preston Coverts a line of grass, of gates, 

 and of small woods, altogether in contrast with what the other 

 side of the lordship provided, after luncheon. Down the wind there 

 wasn't half a scent. / could see that when, with the cunning 

 begotten of more seasons than I dare reckon, and more mistakes 

 than I shall ever have time or wish to recall, I sank the wind and 

 remained on the Fawsley uplands preferring my own meagre 

 society for half an hour (with such extraneous aid as was forth- 

 coming from a wicker basket and a fat cigar case) to a tolerable 



