THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 53 



Langton was then just newly inclosed, yet he jumped all 

 the strong post and rail fences without getting one fall. 

 Neither was his crossing the river Wellin undeserving of 

 notice. He pushed his horse before him, into deep water, 

 leaped upon his back whilst he was in the act of swimming, 

 and thus was carried to the opposite bank ! 



" I remember hearing of another desperate run, in which 

 Mr. Loraine Smith distinguished himself greatly by his 

 fine judgment in riding to hounds. On a day, with the 

 same pack (Meynell's), called ' the Alsops-house day,' he 

 appeared at cover on a five-year-old horse, of his own 

 breeding, called Shopleton ; and one, by his own admission, 

 not of high form as a hunter. He likewise got a bad start, 

 and never could get near the hounds till he met them on 

 Leak Hills, on their return from Gotham Wood. Not- 

 withstanding this disadvantage, towards the end of the 

 run, which embraced an immense sweep of country, him- 

 self and a gentleman named Deverill were the only two 

 that continued to keep with the hounds till they came to 

 Kinnoulton cover, when his (Smith's) horse slackened 

 pace. Deverill went on, and was the only man whose 

 horse could raise a canter when the fox was dying. He 

 rode a mare, called Gaylass, got by Lord Grosvenor's 

 famous Mambrino, whose fine picture by Stubbs has been 

 so much admired ; and, in consequence of her perform- 

 ance this day, she was sold to Sir John Shelley, and by 

 him to Sir Harry Featherstone, in both instances at large 

 prices, remaining a first-class hunter, in Leicestershire, 

 for several successive years. It was computed, at the 

 time, that, by his knowledge of the country, and the 

 points the fox was making, Smith saved three miles of 

 ground in the course of this run, which is the principal 

 cause of my having detailed the particulars of it to you. :> 



" Now, Frank," said Mr. Baby, " you have had a great 

 treat ; so take yourself off to the ladies. I daresay you 

 will dream of Leicestershire and Dick Knight. 1 ' 



" "W e shall see him in Leicestershire, some day or 

 another," observed Mr. Sornerby. 



" No," replied Mr. Raby ; *" at least, I hope not. 

 Melton Mowbray is no place for younger brothers : and 

 I fear it has often proved too much for elder ones." 



