TAKING THEM OVER 13 



An hour's jog brought us to a river, the boundary 

 of the Forest country proper, which we crossed at 

 a shallow ford, five or six miles below a manufac- 

 turing town. Horses would not drink the coloured 

 water ; but most of the hounds drank freely, and 

 some were sick immediately afterwards. Tom's 

 remark upon the occasion was characteristic of the 

 man : *' Stinkin' fellahs them malefacterers puttin' 

 all that dye-stuff into the water — might ha' known 

 it would sicken hounds." 



Three hours later, of which half the time led over 

 a moorland track, we sighted a snug farmhouse in 

 the heart of the hills, and took possession of the 

 extemporised kennels. An old smearing-shed had 

 been converted into two sleeping-houses, with a 

 boiling-house and a small feeding-yard behind, and 

 a large grass yard with a stream of water run- 

 ning through it in front. We put hounds on to 

 their benches, and gazed at them for some time; 

 and one satisfied soul felt that a new era had 

 commenced. 



What an interest life had during the next few 

 weeks, and how full the days were. Bustle and 

 activity reigned, and few idle moments were passed ; 

 and what enjoyment the novelty and excitement 

 brought. The early rising, the canter across the 

 moor in the crisp air to the kennels, the long trails 

 among the glorious hills to condition horse and 

 hound, the feeding of the hounds and calling them 

 over, and all the kennel work, the doctoring feet 

 and ears, the loafing on the green in the after- 

 noons, getting acquainted with the character and 

 disposition of individual hounds, the playing with the 



