HORSES AND HOUNDS. 191 



ft e had, fortunately, escaped this trial early in the run through 

 some large woodlands ; and, knowing the large covert to which 

 we were running to be full of foxes also, I adopted the only 

 course which, under such circumstances, I could pursue, with 

 credit; to myself and satisfaction to the hounds, which latter, 

 by-the-bye, were always my first consideration. 



A pack of fox-hounds, like an army flushed with success, 

 with confidence in their leader, will carry everything before 

 them. I always fought for the hounds, and, by keeping them 

 in blood and good heart, they always expected success to crown 

 their efforts; and I never felt any anxiety on their account. 

 Liberties, such as the one above related, I sometimes took with 

 them ; but they were too good to be spoilt by a dash of this 

 kind. With the exception of my reverend enemy, who was a 

 great admirer of Mr. Slowman, all the field were delighted at 

 the off-hand style in which we finished Mr. Slyboots, and pro- 

 nounced it the best thing they had ever seen. " That's your 

 way, sir," said a sporting farmer, " never mind an old croaker 

 or two — we are overrun with foxes, which I don't care much 

 about, but I like to see some of 'em brought to hand. Will you 

 be out to-morrow again V " No, my friend, that's Mr. Slowman's 

 day; but Friday I shall be at Burton Gate, and hope you will 

 come and see us pull down another." " Ay, that I wdll," said 

 the farmer, " and a few more of us as well." 



Jim returned home in high glee, with his fox's head, much to 

 the annoyance of ^Mr. Slowman, who was quite crestfallen at 

 our continued success. In the evening my host reflected 

 bitterly on the bad sport they had experienced with his hounds, 

 which he said he had been assured were the best pack in Eng- 

 land, and for which he had paid a large price, having only that 

 season taken to the whole establishment. " Your hounds," I 

 said, " are everything a man can wish for ; in appearance very 

 superior to my own, and equally good in other respects— if not 

 better ; and to satisfy you that I mean what I say, I will give you 

 the same price for them which you have given, if you like to 

 resign the country at the end of the season." " Well," he said, 

 *' I am sick to death of this bad work, and the country too, and 

 you shall have them." " Agreed, then, if you are in earnest." 

 "Quite so," he replied. "Then," I said, "they are mine." 

 "Will you go out with us to-morrow f "By all means," was 

 my answer, "as I shall now feel an interest in the hounds, 

 and we will have a fox, if I am not mistaken ; and Jim shall 

 go also." 



Mr. Slowman, I should have remarked, had not killed one fox 

 for the last month. My host did not wish to give offence to 



