236 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



Clipstone, completing a wide ring at a good holding 

 pace back to Marston Hills. It was a severe gallop 

 for horses, and the cloud of steam as we packed in 

 a gateway, or checked momentarily by a covert 

 told its own tale. Still pursuing. Freeman steadily 

 worked up to his fox, passing through De Trafford 

 Gorse, hounds hunting nicely out on the Bosworth 

 side through Carnell's Spinney, and with a brace 

 travelling before them they ran into De Trafford 

 Gorse and killed. It was a good finish for a hunt 

 which had lasted just over an hour, the ground 

 being the most holding and trying in the Pytchley 

 country ; some of the hill-sides resembling miniature 

 mountains. The bitches were so keen at the finish 

 that they broke their fox up and ate him without 

 any further ceremony, whilst the dismounted field 

 stood about in groups on the hill-side of a wild and 

 picturesque bit of hunting-country. One incident 

 at the finish was the runner, standing in the gate- 

 way with a silk hat which he had picked up ; anxi- 

 ously scanning the field for a bare-headed rider. 



The order was then given for Sulby Gorse, and a 

 light-coloured fox took to flight at once in the direc- 

 tion of the Woolleys, where he saved his brush by 

 getting to ground. Further stirring sport took place 

 in the district of Sibbertoft and Hothorpe Thorns, 

 back to the trying Marston Hills again. The 

 hundred brace of foxes killed by Freeman during 

 the season 1910-11 was accomplished almost un- 

 assisted by that modern instrument of fox-catching 

 termed a spade. 



With Lord Annaly's departure for India, during 

 November 191 1, in attendance on the King, the 

 command was taken by his son-in-law, Sir Charles 

 Lowther. As usual, Lord Annaly issued his custo- 

 mary courteous appeal to landowners and farmers 



