394 HUNTING TOURS. 



gloriously, with a light breeze from the south. 

 It seemed that all the perfections of a hunting 

 atmosphere were concentrated, and hearts beat 

 high with expectation as they proceeded to 

 Minety House, the residence of that excellent 

 sportsman and supporter of foxhunting, Mr. 

 Perry Keene, whose hospitable doors are at 

 all times open to receive his friends. This 

 gentleman's gorse covert and Ravenshurst 

 were drawn blank, but as the hounds were 

 thrown into the Withey Copse Mr. Croome 

 viewed a fine wild fox break away at the 

 further end, and, quickly getting the hounds 

 on his line, they settled well to it, running 

 through Charlton Pond Plantation, in the 

 direction of Stonehiil Gate, and, turning to 

 the right, passed the Withey Copse, but did 

 not enter it, and on to Mrs. Keene's woods, 

 when a short check occurred, in consequence 

 of the fox being headed ; the time to this 

 point was fifteen minutes, and the pace quite 

 first-rate. A skilful cast overcame the diffi- 

 culty, and leaving the wood the hounds ran 

 towards Ravenshurst, but the fox disdained 

 to enter it, and took a line over the meadows, 

 where the ditches received seven or eight of 

 the most ardent in pursuit. The next point 



