THE HAUGHTY SHIRE HUNT. 



bits devised by his enterprising and ingenious rider, whilst 

 Jack bestrode his own, still stiff, hireling. 



" Be all right when he's warmed up with a gallop," Jack 

 had said in answer to his groom's warning that the horse was 

 not fit to go out again yet, with hounds. 



Arrived at the meet, they found a fairly large field 

 assembled, including the Duke — again in close attendance on 

 Miss Gomel}' — Mrs. Joggietilt, the Eev. Geoffry Yarboro, Com- 

 mander Clump, and most of the ' habituals.' The pack was 

 just run through a small covert, for form's sake, and then trotted 

 oft' down Gorsely Lane, en route to Hindlinton Great Pastures. 

 Almost as soon as hounds were put in at one end of the covert, 

 a fox broke at the other, and went straight away. 



"Now we're in for some fun!" exclaimed Jack, as he 

 rammed his hat down on his head. 



" Yes, I expect I am, anyhow ! " returned Sir Tommy 

 grimly, as the ominous reachings and snatchings at the bridle 

 began in earnest. Gag or no gag, Marmion by Capulet evidently 

 meant business, and his rider had sense enough to see that 

 it might be better to so far fall in with his humour as to let 

 him, if possible, get off at once, and go along in front. He 

 accordingly pushed his way through the crowd, and jumped 

 a small hedge which divided the lane (in w4iich most of the 

 horsemen were assembled, all eager and jostling each other 

 in hopes of getting a good start) from a large grass-field into 

 which hounds had already begun to feather. Then they spoke 

 to it unequivocally, and away they streamed. Sir Tommy 

 had a splendid start, and, what was of almost equal importance, 

 his horse could take his own line, clear of the crowd and its 

 excitements. 



H.H. F 



