254 GOOD SPORT 



the flags, whose breeding is of the greatest interest 

 to those versed in the science of pedigrees. With 

 his reverence, whom we have mentioned before as 

 the fomider of the Foxhound Stud Book, was Mr. 

 Austin Mackenzie, whose fame as a hound-breeder 

 was estabhshed when master of the Woodland 

 Pytchley from 1885 to 1899, in which comparatively 

 short time he bred a beautiful pack, skilfully blend- 

 ing Lord Henry Bentinck's old blood with that of 

 Belvoir. In the year 1899 Mr. Austin Mackenzie 

 sold his pack for 5000 guineas, the Duke of Beaufort 

 purchasing the dog-hounds for 3000 guineas, and 

 Mr. W. M. Wroughton the bitches for 2000 guineas. 

 Frank Gillard had shown the reverend gentleman 

 and his colleague the triumphs of the kennel, the 

 Donovans, the Watchmans, Pirates, and Gamblers, 

 a bewildering display of feet, legs, necks, shoulders, 

 and gay Belvoir colouring. The two critics closed 

 their note-books with a sigh of satisfaction, for 

 three hours spent on the flags with Frank Gillard 

 used to fairly gallop. Harry Maiden, the first 

 whipper-in, in attendance on the huntsman, turned 

 to him and said : "I think, sir, you have forgotten 

 to show the gentlemen the young Watchman dog ! " 

 " Quite right to remind me, Harry ! " replied GiUard, 

 with a suspiciously merry twinkle in his eye. " Put 

 Dexter on ; he was very nearly left out ! " Then in 

 bounced the hound of a hfetime, displaying the 

 symmetry of a Greek god, the grace of a fawn, and 

 the gay colouring of a butterfly. The Rev. Cecil 

 Legard and Mr. Austin Mackenzie stood amazed, 

 unable to find words of admiration, captivated by 

 what they saw before them. '' What does this 

 mean, Gillard ? " at last said his reverence ; '' Dexter 

 beats all records ; the handsomest hound ever seen 

 on the flags at Belvoir." " Ah ! " said Frank 



