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rides ; the blasts of the horns ; and the hallooing of the 

 horsemen some eager to assist in getting the hounds to 

 their game, others mad to get a start ; all this had a 

 thrilling effect on our young sportsman ; but there was 

 no time for looking about ; the hounds were on good 

 terms with their fox their heads up, and their sterns 

 down and a fine grass country before them. 



The fence out of the wood was an awkward one ; it was 

 a low, but stiff gate, which, of itself, would have been 

 nothing ; but an open drain, under repair, was in front of 

 it, on the rising side, which made the rider and his horse 

 look about them. Sir John led the way, followed by 

 three more, when Frank cleared it, with a good yard to 

 spare, sticking to his horse as tightly as if he had been 

 strapped to his saddle ; and this was, without doubt, 

 the happiest moment of his existence. He had taken a 

 dangerous leap, which several of the field declined ; he 

 saw a fine country before him, with his friend in the same 

 field with the hounds, and only one field in advance of 

 himself : " I'll go till I fall," said he to himself, and 

 strictly did he keep his word. Fence after fence was 

 cleared by him, in the company of a chosen few ; but, as 

 yet, he had not been observed by Sir John Inkleton. An 

 accidental occurrence discovered him. The fence exactly 

 in Sir John's line being impracticable from its height and 

 strength, he was obliged to diverge to his right, to one 

 corner of the field, where the generality of fences are 

 practicable ; when, sailing away on the headland, he 

 espied Frank Eaby approaching. There was no time for 

 words, the chase being forward at the moment, and some 

 lost time to be made up ; so putting Petronius at some 

 rails, he was landed in the next field, with the hounds in 

 the one beyond it. When in the act of clearing these 

 rails, however, he saw under him a ditch, of enormous 

 depth and breadth, and, fearing that Frank's mare might 

 not be equal to it, he waved his hand to him, as a signal 

 not to attempt it. The signal was made in vain ; Frank 

 rode at it, and cleared it, with only the momentary loss 

 of a stirrup. Sir John began to feel alarm. "What 

 will Mr. Eaby what will Lady Charlotte say to me, ;: 

 muttered he to himself, " if this boy meets with an 

 accident ? Still, what is to be done ? I cannot lose my 

 place with the hounds ; and I doubt whether anything I 

 may say to him will stop him.'"' 



