98 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



the side of which some two hundred and fifty horse- 

 men speedily galloped, directly hounds were halloed 

 away from the far side. When the pack slipped 

 through the fence on the right, over which one-third 

 of the field launched themselves, anxious field- 

 masters galloped to the front to see that hounds 

 were not unduly pressed. 



Tyrrell never seemed conscious of the crowd at 

 his heels, though scent was slow and the fox a 

 twisting customer, requiring considerable craft and 

 patience on the part of the huntsman to hold hounds 

 to the line. Whichever way we turned, the road 

 seemed to be full of sightseers and vehicles, so 

 that a hunted fox was bound to ring in the grass 

 area, and thread numerous small coverts known 

 as the Drives in the Eaton district. Tyrrell 

 hunted with the greatest patience, and in making 

 two big circles the hunt rode twice by the side of 

 Saighton Gorse as the pilot came back on his line. 

 Fences were jumped the opposite way in the return 

 journey ; an easy galloping hunt in a most inviting 

 country likely to please the greatest number, making 

 an excellent opportunity for seeing hounds work. 

 Many people were jumping in and out of roads, very 

 often within a few lengths of moving traffic, testifying 

 to the ardour of the following in the full enjoyment of 

 the ride. Working up to their hunted fox, hounds 

 killed close to where they found, after an 

 hour and thirty-five minutes. " Who whoop ! " 

 rang out as the hunt staff dived into the thicket 

 where hounds were tasting well earned blood, 

 and the field turned attention to lunch and a second 

 horse. 



The hunt of the afternoon in the Easton preserves 

 was a repetition of that of the morning, for there 

 was no improvement in scent, and foxes were able 



