142 THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



mounted and bolder spirits follow tlieir leader over, but many 

 of the field prefer galloping off some distance to the left, where 

 a gate stands invitingly open. Adela would have loved to try 

 the rails, but prudential considerations in the shape of possible 

 casualties to that pretty face which was veritably her fortune, 

 counselled her to give the preference to the gate. She was 

 followed by Mrs. Joggletilt, Lady Lucy, and a whole crowd of 

 men and women. Sir Tommy almost cannoned the Duke as 

 they took off side by side at the obstacle, but no harm resulted, 

 though the noble Master took good care to give him a wide 

 berth for the rest of the run. Ben and Tom Tribe had done 

 their duty in bringing up the tail hounds and stragglers, and 

 were just now settling down to the enjoyment of the gallop on 

 their own account. The Keverend had taken a line on the left 

 and was vastly amusing himself amongst the neatly-trimmed 

 fences which merely served to enhance the excitement of getting 

 across country. 



" Forrard ! forrard ! " screamed Will, as he ranged up along- 

 side the pack. For once in a way, Keynard had set himself to 

 travel in the right direction, and had got his head for Mount- 

 ford Earths, a point some seven miles, as the crow flies, from 

 where he was found, and over the very cream of the Duke's 

 country. The pace grew stronger and stronger as they crossed 

 the turnpike road, jumping a bank, with a low brush fence on 

 top, into it, and some rails out again, on the far side. Here 

 they caught a glimpse of some of the ' wheel ' contingent, who 

 had driven hither as hard as they could, on the off-chance that 

 this would be the fox's line. Eonald still held pride of place, 

 his horse going along well within himself, at the sterns, but 

 rather to the right of the now flying pack. 



