WITH THE DUKE OF BEAUFORT'S HOUNDS 8i 



and strung out the field, but those nearest to 

 hounds included Mr. A. M. Wilson, well carried 

 by a favourite hunter, and the Messrs. Rich, of 

 polo fame. Captain Percy 

 WTiitaker, and others. 



In Weston Birt Park 

 hounds experienced their first 

 check ; but the Duke summed 

 up the situation, and cast them 

 round the Garden Plantation, where 

 they hit off the line, and again streamed merrily 

 away. The nature of the country altered, fences 

 taking the place of stone walls in the journey to 

 Easton Wood, a district wonderfully well gated, 

 so that a larger section of the field than is usual 

 were able to get to hounds, and enjoy the sight of 

 some splendid work during the latter part of the 

 hunt, which was at a slower pace, necessitating the 

 huntsman's assistance. Crossing the Malmesbury 

 and Sherston Road, just above the Old Fosse Way, 

 they persevered on to Hyam Wood, where a slight 

 check occurred, until the Duke cast down towards 

 the river, where they recovered the line and ran on 

 to Malmesbury Common. Here a man with a dog 

 headed the fox, causing complications, but after 

 being held round Foxley Grove, the}^ ran on to 

 Bradfield Wood, and a great hunt ended with 

 slow work by West Park, away in the direction 

 of Corston, where all trace of scent vanished. 

 Consulting the map, it is a nine-mile point as 

 the crow flies, and a good many more as hounds 

 ran. The view opening out before us was one 

 of extensive w^oodlands, with plenty of trees in 

 the hedgerows, most striking in their autumnal 

 colouring, for the leaf remained until late in 

 November. 



