HARE-HUNTERS OF THE PAST 27 



at this Sport that he has been out almost every day 

 since I came down, and upon the Chaplain's offering 

 to lend me his easie pad, I was prevail'd on Yesterday 

 Morning to make one of the Company. I was extremely 

 pleased, as we rid along, to observe the general Bene- 

 volence of all the Neighbourhood towards my friend. 

 The Farmers' sons thought themselves happy if they 

 could open a gate for the good old Knight as he passed 

 by ; Which he generally requited with a Nod or a 

 Smile, and a kind inquiry after their Fathers or Uncles. 



" After we had rid about a mile from home, we came 

 upon a large heath and the sportsmen began to beat. 

 They had done so for some time, when, as I was at a 

 little Distance from the rest of the Company, I saw 

 a Hare pop out from a small Furze-brake, almost under 

 my Horse's feet. I marked the way she took, which 

 I endeavoured to make the Company sensible of by 

 extending my arm ; but to no purpose, till Sir Roger, 

 who knows that none of my extraordinary motions 

 are insignificant, rode up to me and asked if Puss was 

 gone that way ? Upon my answering Yes he imme- 

 diately called in the Dogs, and put them upon the 

 scent. As they were going off, I heard one of the 

 Country Fellows muttering to his Companion, That 

 Hwas a wonder they had not lost all their Sport, for want 

 of the silent Gentleman'' s crying STOLE AWAY. 



" This, with my Aversion to leaping Hedges, made 

 me withdraw to a rising ground, from whence I could 

 have the pleasure of the whole Chase, without the 

 fatigue of keeping in with the Hounds. The Hare 

 immediately threw them above a Mile behind her ; 

 but I was pleased to find that instead of running strait 

 forward, or in Hunter's language. Flying the Country, 

 as I was afraid she might have done, she wheel'd about, 

 and described a sort of Circle round the Hill whereon 



