140 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



away on the Burton side as if for the hall, and being 

 headed swung right-handed for Bunny Spinney. 

 Leaf lifted hounds round the covert, with W. 

 Strickland and Nimrod Capell whipping-in, and 

 they hunted a fine line of country across the Burton 

 Flats to Wilds Lodge. The clear atmosphere 

 favoured the sight-seers, for the whole journey 

 could be viewed from the hill-side above Gartree 

 Hill, the followers having plenty of jumping. Turn- 

 ing before reaching the Oakham and Melton road, 

 hounds hunted their fox back over the Little Dalby 

 road, and killed on the grass by the village. 



Leaf then led the way back to Gartree Hill and 

 hounds found again, but were headed in every 

 direction, eventually getting out across the old 

 Melton Hunt steeplechase course, reaching Burrough 

 Hill Wood, and turned in the direction of Major 

 Andrew Coats' residence, leftwards for the Punch 

 Bowl. Missing this, he circled round into Cottesmore 

 country, continuing on to Berry Gorse and Lees- 

 thorpe, where all trace was lost. There was sufficient 

 scent so long as hounds could keep a straight line, 

 but not enough to enable them to turn with their 

 fox. Later on another run was started from Thorpe 

 Trussels, nearly to the outskirts of Great Dalby 

 village, away towards Melton with rather a halting 

 scent, although hounds ran nicely at times. Alto- 

 gether it was a far better day's sport than might 

 have been expected, with such a combination of 

 circumstances to be contended with. Throughout 

 the day the cold snap in the air was exhilarating, 

 and everyone appeared good humoured. 



Harking back to the spring of 191 1, we will 

 follow the Quorn on Ash Wednesday, a special meet 

 being arranged by Captain Forester at Ashby 

 Pastures, where a cap was taken on behalf of the 



