56 



THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



services as he went. They plodded heavily over towards the 

 little group on the bank, and by the time they had reached 

 it, Tom rode back with a sharp spade over his shoulder. 



"Now we shan't be long," quoth Mr. Jack Dashwood, as 

 he seized the spade from the Whipper-in and prepared to 

 cautiously descend the greasy bank. The words were pro- 

 phetic as far as his own immediate fate was concerned, for, 

 his heels slipping away from under him, he sprawled on his 

 back beside the fallen horse, the spade flying out of his hand 

 as he fell. Amid the laughter of the rest, he scrambled up 

 again, and Tom Tribe, who had dismounted and again given 

 his horse a hberty which the poor beast did not look like 

 abusing, caught up the spade, and, aided by the two hedgers, 

 set to work with a will to cut out the soil around the 

 unhappy chestnut's hind legs. Ten minutes vigorous labour 

 cleared the way for a successful struggle on the part of Mr. 

 Binkie's new purchase, and with a mighty heave he got clear 

 of the sticky clay. Another struggle, a slip, and then yet 

 one more mighty effort, and he stood safely on terra firma 

 again ; then he gave himself a shake like that of a big dog 

 emerging from a pond, and began to walk away. Jack seized 

 his bridle and exclaimed — 



"Whoa ho, my bonny boy, you're all right; I don't think 

 .he's a bit the worse for his tumble. Up you get, Trousers! 

 and don't forget to empty the half-crowns in your pocket into 

 the hands of the chaps who've dug you out." 



Mr. Binkie, having complied with this request, was soon 

 hoisted into his muddy saddle, and the whole procession of 

 horsemen and hounds started on their ten-mile journey back 

 to the kennels. 



