BY INVITATION 91 



get back and see where the rest of the hounds have 

 run to." 



"You've got another fox on foot, and a chase 

 going on, have you ? Well, you are a greedy chap ; 

 won't one at a time satisfy you ? How, when, and 

 where did you find this one ? " 



It was only civil to go through the form of apolo- 

 gising for an appearance so sudden and precipitate, 

 and for the dishevelled state of the huntsman ; but 

 this was not listened to. 



" I wouldn't have missed it for the world," said 

 the laird ; " I never had such a piece of fun ; you 

 certainly let us know you were coming, and when I 

 heard you I ran to get a horse. I would have been 

 at their tails, but the first horse I got at had a 

 lady's saddle, and the next I seized was this — a 

 fine fencer and a bold one, but I don't know whose 

 he is — how do you like my seat, eh ? But how did 

 you do it ? " 



''Well, laird," I explained, ''if you will plant a 

 brace of foxes right in the path, you can't blame 

 hounds for chasing them." 



"Now, Master, don't try to make me believe you 

 were not drawing for him." 



And it was useless to contradict. 



During our short jog back to the house, we were 

 amused to find various ardent sportsmen aimlessly 

 scouring across the country towards all points of the 

 compass, in much anxiety and uncertainty, which 

 was increased by the fact that wild blasts of the 

 horn were being wafted down wind from a direction 

 contrary to that in which we had so unexpectedly 

 flashed. Old Batters was evidently doing his best. 



