102 



HISTORY OF THE YORK AND A IX STY HUNT. 



' turning his thorough-bred out of the road over a bit 

 ' of timber, did some very useful schooling on him for 

 ' a field or two ; then we reached Blue Bridge, on each 

 ' side of which the brook was so flooded and swollen 

 'as to quite counteract any idea of facing water for that 

 ' day at least, unless boats were called into requisition. 



' The meet was rather select than large, most present 

 •being well mounted — all of course strangers to me; so, 

 ' until I have had a little more time in the country, I 

 ' will not pretend to give the names of those present. 

 'In a field just off the road sat Sir C. Slingsby with 

 'the dog pack round him, and wonderfullv well I thought 

 ' they looked. We were not, however, indulged with a 

 'long view, as the handsome bay he rode was quickly 

 ' put in motion, and we trotted away to New Park coverts, 

 ' a fine wild-looking string of woods. Anything more 

 ' foxy in appearance I have not seen for a long time, 

 ' but we drew through a great extent of them in vain. 

 ' Not a whimper was heard, nor the slightest sign of a 

 ' drag. On from covert to covert we went, through the 

 ' wpt heavv clays of this the roughest of the York and 

 ' Ainstv country, still unsuccessful. Occasionallv crossing 

 ' a field or two, where a little jumping could not be 

 ' avoided, was our only amusement, and one or two 

 'scrambles enlivened us, and in no wise hurt those who 

 ' performed. When, however, we trotted away to Sutton 

 ' Park, Mr. Christopher .Sykes was near meeting with a 

 ' ba 1 accident in the road, as a drain gave way under 

 ' his horse and brought him down — a very nasty tumble 

 ' indeed, and it was lucky no mischief ensued. All the 

 'plantations in the park were drawn blank, and then we 

 ' made our way over a very fine piece of country to 

 ' Stillington, and drew the woods there with as little 

 ' success as before ; beyond this Sir G. Wombwell told 

 ' me the country is still better, and carries a good scent 

 ' right away to the hills. It really is a pity that foxes 

 ' are not more plentiful in it. The farmers are said to 

 'be well inclined to hunting, and capital fellows; and 

 ' Mr. Batty, one of the staunchest of them, was with 

 ' us. He was riding a wonderfully good-looking chestnut, 

 ' with a great appearance of blood about the fore 



