192 HORSES AXD HOUNDS. 



the old gentlemen of the country, by interfering ^\dth their 

 huntsman, wlio had lived there many years with his predecessor, 

 and was a great favourite with them ; and therefore begged I 

 would let him have his own way. " Don't be uneasy on our 

 account," I replied. " Jim and myself will only be amateurs 

 to-morrow, and perhaps may take a lesson out of Mr. Slowman's 

 book; but if we see the hounds likely to be beaten again — 

 (they are now, of course, out of heart already from want of 

 blood) — you must excuse us if we do just step in towards the 

 end of the day, and turn the tide, should it be in our power. 

 You may depend upon our silence and orderly conduct up to 

 this point." 



Sending for Jim, I gave my orders for the next day about the 

 horses, and that he was to go also. I could see how pleased he 

 was with this arrangement. Mr. Slowman was rather nervous 

 in the morning, having, I think, taken an over-dose of aqua 

 vitce the night before, and possibly a trifle of hot-and-hot after 

 breakfast. He had the character of sacrificing pretty largely at 

 the altar of Bacchus ; but running a fox over the mahogany and 

 over the open are very distinct affairs ; and he Avho does the 

 first very well will generally fail in the other. No man can 

 drink hard and work hard. I knew two sporting characters 

 once, who kept a pack of scratch hounds, which would run any- 

 thing, from a rabbit to a red deer, and, when no game was to 

 be found, sometimes a red herring — anything for a gallop. 

 These worthies could not ride over a fence without being well 

 primed at starting with strong brandy and water. They would 

 then go at anything ; but as soon as the powder was out, they 

 were all abroad, and could not go on without fresh priming at 

 some public-house — nerves they had none. 



Mr. Slowman having marshalled his pack, we all rode on 

 quietly together to the place of meeting, about five miles from 

 the kennel, my attention being occupied with the hounds, in 

 looking them well over, and asking their names. The fixture 

 being a favourite one, we had a good muster ; but I observed 

 that dark colours preponderated over scarlet. My reverend 

 friend appeared pleased to see me accompanying his old 

 favourite, and perhaps flattered himself I was come out to take 

 a lesson, and mend my ways. He was fated to be wofully 

 deceived ; but of that anon. We soon commenced drawing 

 some pretty coverts, not far from the road side. The hounds 

 spread well over the stuff, and in about ten minutes a loud 

 tongue was heard — a fox, of course — the hounds being prover- 

 bially steady. The body soon got together, and rattled their 

 fox merrily through the underwood ; and, after a turn or two 



