6 Life in the Open 



There is nothing more inspiring than a cavalry 

 charge, and this hunt was a diminutive replica of one. 

 The horses were eager for the chase, knowing well the 

 meaning of the shout, and at once broke into a wild 

 run ; and when they cleared the grove the dogs could 

 be seen reaching out in long lines and the bounding 

 jack melting away into space. At this stage of the run 

 he is enjoying himself at our expense. His long ears 

 are up, and as stiff as rods of steel. He runs by bounds 

 and has an air of disdain. The speed is increasing every 

 moment. The master of the hounds by virtue of his 

 office is directly behind them, and after him, never 

 overriding the pack, come the fortunate ones who can 

 keep their place. Already some are left far behind, 

 but a few horses are well to the fore and running at 

 a pace, that considering the country, would bring a 

 cheer from the grandstand at Ascot. The jack runs 

 through a patch of sage-brush, then turns slightly and 

 crosses an orchard, and here is turned cleverly by old 

 Ramon. He runs over a great white wash, bounding 

 down its dangerous sides until it ends, then alarmed by 

 the determined thunder of bounding hoofs, he turns 

 gradually and makes for the upper mesa. Suddenly 

 the master of the hounds shouts a warning. Some turn 

 at the brink of a knife-like cut or wash, ten feet deep, 

 over which the jack goes like a cannon ball. You see 

 that he is taking in sails, is not so disdainful ; his ears 

 are lying partly back over his shoulders, and the won- 

 derful hind legs are working quicker and driving him 



