13G Hunting Countries of England. 



in another part of the county, the deep clay of Naseby 

 crushed the charge of Prince Rupert's squadrons. 

 Ah, it was bad generalship that accepted that as 

 battle ground for cavalry, with so much rich riding 

 land all round. It may be that, even then, there were 

 oxers round every pasture between Naseby and Market 

 Harboro\ A mailclad trooper, let his heart have been 

 ever so loyal or his cavalier blood ever so hot, would 

 have but little chance with them in his path. They 

 frighten us now, when burdened with no heavier 

 weapon than whip and spur, and wearing no weightier 

 armour than Mr. White's stout headpiece. And 'tis 

 my belief that these ox fences, more than all else, bar 

 the way to Market Harboro's prosperity as a hunting- 

 centre. Bold men, perhaps, battle with them for a 

 year or two : fathers of families shudder as they look 

 at them and decline further acquaintance at once. 

 Discretion is the truest valour at Harboro'. You can't 

 ride the country in its immediate neighbourhood 

 straight ; and the sooner you accept the obvious truth, 

 the better for your bones and for your enjoyment of 

 sport. A fair oxer is a very charming thing on an 

 exceptionally good horse. On an indifferent one don't 

 be induced to look at it. Moral courage is the card to 

 play then. Such play soon comes easy. You may 

 hunt for years from Harboro' without jumping a single 

 oxer; and yet escape being called a coward. 



To return to the Northampton district. In its midst 

 is a chain of strong woods, wherein foxes are heartily 

 and plentifully preserved. Sywell Wood, Hardwick 

 Wood, Wilmore Park, and Gib Wood are almost con- 

 tinuous covert. Good foxes are always there, but not 



