CHAPTER XV 



A HUNT WITH LORD ANNALY, FRANK FREEMAN AND THE 

 PYTCHLEY HOUNDS 



The character of the Pytchley country — Lord Annaly and Frank Freeman, 

 an ideal combination for sport — A record of good runs, season 1910-1 1 

 — A visit to Mr J. H. Stokes at Great Bowden — Whyte ]\Ielville's 

 Market Harborough — Mr J. H. Stokes at home and his reminiscences 

 of early days' hunting and show-yard successes — George Carter and 

 the Fitzwilliam — Record of the show-hunter, Whisky — To Sibber- 

 toft by motor — The Pytchley hounds at the meet, and memories of 

 Lord Spencer's mastership — Frank Freeman and his record — Lord 

 Annaly greeted by hounds — Some Peterborough Pytchley champions 

 — The characteristics of the Pytchley master — The field at Sibber- 

 toft — The find at Marston Hills and a ringing hunt of an hour — 

 The holding going on the grass — A kill at De Trafford Gorse — Another 

 hunt from Sulby Gorse — A hundred brace killed during the season — 

 Lord Annaly's departure for India, and his deputy — Followers of the 

 Pytchley hunt past and present. 



" The Pytchley hounds are running hard across the Badby Vale, 

 They fly hke swallows on the wing altho' it blows a gale : 

 'Twould make an old man young, I swear, to see so brave a sight, 

 As scarlet flashes past and gleams — the Pytchley coflar white." 



— By Mr H. Cumberland Bentley, 

 Member of the Pytchley Hunt. 



The district hunted by the Pytchley has been 

 described as " the admitted best four-day-a-week 

 country in England," with its oceans of uninterrupted 

 pasture for beef and milk, on which has never been 

 raised a quartern loaf. The hounds for such a 

 country are the best ; possessing drive, dash, and 

 music, sweeping along over the undulating panorama 

 of grass in the full enjoyment of a scent. It is 

 essentially a riding country to delight the heart 

 of the brave man with a good horse under him, 

 and a second class performer for such a country will 

 only spoil pleasure and ruin nerve. From the roof 



