268 THE HUNTING FIELD 



" Vicious, aye vicious," reiterated Strutt, with an emphasis, 

 " he nearly killed nic — most pulled the stable down — takes ten 

 men to hold him — 'bliged to put his corn down through the 

 rack." 



" God bless me, you don't say so ! " observed Mr. Milksop, 

 quite disconcerted. " You are none the worse though, I 

 hope," added he, looking at the little great man's dejected 

 appearance. 



"Jl'iiss/" exclaimed he, his impudence rising with his 

 master's consideration, " JV//ss," repeated he, with a shake of 

 his head and shrug of his shoulders, " never had such a shake 

 in >/ij' life, I know. Wish I may e2'£r get over it." 



"Well, but what am I to do?" asked Mr. Milksop, seeing 

 the hounds were about to leave the meet, " I was going to ride 

 him, you know," added he. 



" 1 intend you to ride Apollo," said Strutt, with his usual 



consequence, " he's all read}- — here, Tom ! " exclaimed he, 



" bring out the 'orse ! " 



****** 



When the hounds were drawing Birdingbury Faggot Cover, 

 who should appear but Captain Shabbyhounde, and with his 

 appearance returned the recollection of the over-night letter. 

 Shabbyhounde's quick eye saw at once it was a "case," but 

 Milksop's countenance, as he hurried up, had more the appear- 

 ance of a man wanting information, than the lowering sulky 

 scowl of one who has been " doncT The Captain was a second 

 Lavater in physiognomy. 



"Tell me," said Mr. Milksop, in the hurried way men speak 

 on the eve of battles and fox-hunts, " Tell me," repeated he, 

 " is that horse of yours vicious ? " 



'■'Not the least!" exclaimed Shabbyhounde, with emphasis, 

 squeezing Milksop's proffered hand. 



^'Tki.'L\iio\ gone away \ hark, halloo! hark! hoop! hoop! 

 crack ! crack ! crack ! hold hard ! go on ! Now, sir ! Do go 

 on or get out of my way ! I'll ride j-ou over ! " 



