126 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



very well, and a capital wliipper-in, but, someliow or other, we 

 don't get on quite so well as we thought, and we want you out 

 again." Although not much flattered, I thought it necessary to 

 make my appearance as soon as possible, and I did so imme- 

 diately I could sit in the saddle. My first fixture was to draw 

 some rather large woods, where there were plenty of foxes, and 

 I was most cordially greeted by my expectant friends once more 

 at the covert side, all so glad to see me. " How do ye do, old 

 fellow — hope you're all right — can't do without you !" and all 

 that sort of trash. I am too old a bird to be caught with chaff. 

 We soon found, and had a brace or leash of foxes on foot. For 

 the first twenty minutes or so the hounds rattled away as usual, 

 but after that I saw two or three at a time stand out in the 

 rides, when they came to a momentary check, and looked about. 

 As soon as the ground was rather foiled, more did the same 

 thing, and presently the whole body came to a stand, with their 

 heads well up. Then a halloo from Jem — at it again for a short 

 time ; then a scream from somebody else — to him again ; so the 

 thing went on for nearly an hour, and, I must confess, I was as 

 sulky as a bear with a sore ear. 



There were the same hounds in appearance I had been so proud 

 of only a month before, and what were they then ? Jem took 

 pretty good care to be out of hearing distance, but I met with 

 liim at last. Just as I did so, another halloo from the top of 

 the covert. "There, sir," he said, "he is gone away at last." 

 " No," I said, " he is not, at least not m?/fox ; and now one word 

 with you. I am huntsman to-day, not you ; now mind what I 

 say. The hounds shall not leave this covert until you hear my 

 horn outside. They shall go to no halloo but mine, if ten foxes 

 break covert ; they shall be stopped every time. These are my 

 positive orders. You know your duty as whipper-in — do it." 

 Jem, seeing how matters stood, murmured something about a 

 good run spoilt, which I told him was my concern, and not his, 

 and executed my orders. Still the screaming went on, as soon 

 as any fox made his appearance at the edge of the wood, and 

 being at one time in a ride very near the outside, I heard one 

 man exclaim, " I'll be hanged if I don't halloo till he does come." 

 In a moment I was outside, and riding up to this gentleman, I 

 said, " Now, sir, I am come, pray what do you want with me V 

 " All I have to say, sir, is," he replied, " that a fox is gone over 

 that field, and your whipper-in stopped the hounds, saying such 

 were your orders," " Very true, sir, such are my orders." " Then, 

 I suppose," he said, " you are going to keep the hounds in covert 

 all day, and spoil our sport." "No," I replied, "I am not, 

 although you and others have nearly spoilt my hounds by hal- 



