HUNTING TOURS. 395 



Was Sornerford Common, but before reaching 

 that place the depth of the ground and the 

 extraordinary pace had told its tale^ except 

 with a choice few. Mr. Bowly was the 

 leader up to this point, when jumping the 

 fence into the common Mr. Croome and Mr. 

 Browne were abreast with him, and the hunts- 

 man, who, from the appearance of his horse, 

 had come to grief, was close up. Unfortun- 

 ately at this point two foxes were on foot, the 

 body of the hounds following the fresh one, 

 and four couples staying behind with the 

 hunted one. The pace was again first-rate to 

 the Withey Copse, through it to Charlton 

 Pond, Stonehill Wood, and along the meadows 

 at a racing pace without any check, but the 

 fox just saved himself by entering a drain 

 under the Malmsbury road. Time from find 

 to finish one hour and fifteen minutes. The 

 field was squandered somewhat conspicuously 

 during the run, and certain marks on the backs 

 of divers gentlemen sportsmen proclaimed 

 their having indulged in eccentricities with 

 their native soil. Miss Tayleur, a young 

 lady celebrated for her exquisite skill in 

 equestrianism, enthusiastically fond of hunt- 

 ing, rode superlatively well throughout the 



