40 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



we are in for business to-day ; and I perceive one or two 

 of you have been paying your respects to Mother Earth. 

 Don't halloo till you are out of the wood, my boys.' 



" The scent appeared to get better and better ; indeed, 

 the pace had been awful since the check in the windmill 

 piece. I looked back twice, and could only see four of 

 the field in our rear, and there were but five besides 

 myself well with the hounds. ' This is beautiful,' I said ; 

 ' Divine ! ' shouted John Hawkes. ' Indeed it is, sir,' said 

 Wing, the grazier, going in his usual place. I thought so 

 too. I could not help giving them a cheer, which 1 don't 

 often do, and got a rebuke for my pains. ' Leave 'em 

 alone, sir,' exclaimed Meynell ; ' they cannot be doing 

 it better ; I'll bet a thousand on my hounds, if you will 

 not over-ride them.' Ten minutes more, however, began 

 to tell tales. One of the best nags out of Melton was 

 about to look queer, and so did his owner too, for he had 

 been just saying he could go for another hour. It is true 

 he had rammed him along at a devil of a rate, and he 

 rides with rather too slack a rein. 'Never loose their 

 heads, my boy, whatever you do,' said my old uncle to me, 

 soon after I was breeched : and no man's advice was 

 better than his. He was one of the best of his day ; but 

 still I think he would be called ' slow ' now. 



" But to continue our run. We crossed the brook 

 under Norton-by-Galby, and went as straight as a line 

 for Kollestonwood, Forester and Lamb ton being the first 

 over it, and my young one following in the very foot- 

 holes of their horses. ' Ha ! ha ! ' said I to myself, as we 

 rose the hill in Galby-field, which, by-the-by, being deep 

 and stiff, took rather tight hold of the nags ' another ox- 

 fence, and most likely another fall.' ' 111 not have this 

 ox-fence,' said I ; ' they are turning to the right, and I'll 

 make for yonder sheep-pen in the corner.' But there was 

 no such luck for me, or my horse. ' It is as fast as a jail- 

 door,' said Loraine Smith, who was trying to open the 

 gate ; ' and there is not room to jump into and out of it.' 

 What was to be done 1 The hounds were going with a 

 burning scent, and appeared to be bearing away to the 

 left. ' Here goes, then,' said I ; ' there is nothing else for 

 it ; ' so catching fast hold of the young one's head, I sent 

 him manfully at the ox-fence ; but it had like to have 

 been a case. The ditch was broad and deep (Frank was 

 here observed to listen most attentively, with the hope, 



