544 FOX-HOUND, FOREST, AND PRAIRIE. 



fellow who was so nearly chopped in covert, and then coursed by 

 hounds for three fields. He crossed the railway, and hounds 

 dived in and out of the deep cutting almost under the bridge on 

 which we stood a pretty sight if a perilous chance. How we 

 went and where we went is scarcely worth precisely puzzling 

 out. The merit of the run was to be found in sharp, pretty,, 

 hunting, a fair scent, and a pleasant ride, rather than in any 

 boldness or pluck on the part of the hunted one. He only ran- 

 straight when he grew tired. Then he led us across grass and 

 plough by Causton, by Bilton Village, to Overslade. The bitches 

 were then running for blood : and in a few minutes more they 

 coursed him down, on the very confines of Rugby town and near 

 the house once Mr. Pennington's, now Mr. Clay's. 



" Ride him close up to hounds and see if he will do to carry 

 me ! " These were no doubt the home instructions of the morn- 

 ing. And the lad carried them out to the letter. But it was a 

 little hard, was it not, on the poor boy that he should also have 

 to carry a new yellow belt and an equally new sandwich-box of 

 very fashionable proportions ? And it was a little hard upon, 

 our feelings to have to wait an extra turn at every fence for that 

 sandwich-box. The farmers of 1 890 let us come : but they 

 would gladly draw the line at second horsemen who, once again 

 I protest and reiterate, ought to be marshalled and led, in one 

 mass under one keeper, by road and bridle way. And, under 

 whatever obligation as to a lead we may gladly place ourselves 

 one towards another, we don't want it from a sandwich- 

 box, eh ? 



A MEDLEY AT LILBOURNE. 



WEDNESDAY was hotter than ever the most chokey day for 

 man, woman, and beast I ever remember. After a quarter of 

 an hour's gallop we gasped like fish out of water, while our 

 horses panted and dripped as if they had been swimming for 

 their lives. Not a becoming day, even for those whose youth 

 and freshness make them more or less independent of the acci- 



