F 



CHAPTER II 



TAKING THEM OVER 

 " To rear^ feed^ hunt, and discipline the pack.''^ 



— SOMERVILE. 



OLLOWING close upon this memorable morn- 

 \ ing, preliminaries were quickly arranged, and 

 it was agreed to take over the hounds at once, 

 and bring them to temporary summer quarters at a 

 hill farm, while the permanent premises were being 

 put ready for them. 



After spending several days with the retiring 

 huntsman, drinking in the flow of his advice, hanging 

 upon his every utterance, and fearful of forgetting 

 the slightest tip imparted in the boiling-shed or 

 sleeping-house, where nearly every minute of the 

 time was passed, the move was made. 



Tom the feeder in front, a new and proud hunts- 

 man next, Jack the second whip and Billy flanking, 

 and Jock the kennel terrier strutting at the head 

 of the pack, formed the light-hearted cavalcade as 

 we left at 6 A.M. one fine cool morning. The roads 

 were nicely damped for hounds' feet, a condition 

 which Tom took credit for obtaining by special 

 stipulation with the weather regulator. Tom had 

 no world outside and beyond the confines of his 

 kennel, and seemed to think that all things existed 

 for or against the well-being of his beloved hounds. 



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