262 The Hunting Countries of England. 



near either; and Norton-in-HaleSj a railway station 

 that is handy when Betton Oakley, Highfield Gorse, 

 &c._, are to be drawn. For the last-named covert 

 Adderley is also occasionally fixed. There is also a 

 meet at Weston, close to Crewe, for the far north- 

 west of the country, which brings them back by Mill 

 Dale (a straggling brookside dingle). Betley Hall 

 must be added, as a prominent Wednesday fixture. It 

 is the residence of Mr. Wicksted, who has some 

 excellent coverts — a gorse, belts of plantation, and a 

 wood called Balterley Heath. 



On a Friday or a Saturday they hunt the stone line 

 of hills, above alluded to ; or go across to Draycott 

 and the Derbyshire side. Thus they have Stoke -by- 

 Stone, for some small woods thereabouts ; and Sandon 

 for more little coverts, whence they are likely to run 

 to Chartley Park in the Meynell territory or else back 

 to Orange Hayes near Stone. Moddershall Oaks is 

 famous for foxes, and the meet is Moddershall itself. 

 Seighford, close to Stafford, has about a score of small 

 coverts and a pleasant country about it. Norton 

 Bridge is for Chebsey Rough and Shallow ford Gorse. 

 Johnson Hall^ close to Bccleshall, uieans Wyncote 

 Wood on the border next The Alb right on. Beyond 

 the Stoke and Uttoxeter railway are Dilhorn, for the 

 extensive coverts there ; Draycott Village for Draycott 

 Cross and Cheadell Common ; and Croxden Abbey as 

 the farthest point in the hills. Finally, the northern- 

 most place of meeting between the Kennels and the 

 collieries is Keele, where there are some good woods 

 and the Madeley coverts. 



