32 THE OLD PACK 



be drawn whenever the meet is In his 



parish. Talking to him is F. E , the 



most sporting of soHcitors, and the worthy 

 secretary of the Old Hunt. Now we are 

 out of the town, and the home welcome 

 concerns ourselves alone. 



Next morning comes the jog along the 

 familiar lanes to the meet with *' the 

 governor," who, on his confidential cob, 

 doesn't look as if he was verging on the 

 scriptural limits of man's age. His broad 

 ridge-and-furrow cords and stout-soled tops 

 make our leathers and Bartley's look rather 

 dandified ; but no matter, we have other 

 things to think of. "The Forty Acres in 

 roots this year?" "Yes; and held more 

 birds than I ever saw there," is the answer. 

 "Why, oh why, were we at Hong Kong, 

 or Meerut, as the case may be, then ? " 



