

SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 307 



business to be where I am huntsman. They kill 

 all they can catch, and no more; poison 'em they 

 are afraid of doing. But, my Lord, if you like to 

 ride with us ten yards within the wood hedge, Pll 

 tell you if there is a fox here or no. The gentlemen, 

 I see, are all crowding to the top of the wood as 

 usual, where you can see everything, and a fox, of 

 course, when he breaks, quicker than I can." 



At the gate opening into the lower drive through 

 the thickest part of the coppice, stands a keeper, 



who, on Lord P 's approach, doffs his hat very 



obsequiously. 



" I hope we shall find a fox here to-day," said his 

 Lordship, " or I shall report you to the Duke for a 

 fox-killer." 



" Sure to find, my Lord ; I heard him barking last 

 night, when I were unroosting the pheasants." 



" Hang the pheasants ! We don't care about 

 that dull pastime ; keep us foxes, sir, or you shall 

 not be kept much longer." 



"A fox, my Lord, by all that's wonderful!" 

 exclaimed Will Headman, as his hounds dashed 

 eagerly into the stuff; "but he's a stranger; so look 

 out, my Lord, for he won't hang a minute." 



Will Headman was not often short in his reckon- 

 ing. A few quick sharp tongues are first heard, then 

 such a crash through the wood; one turn, and he 

 breaks away at the top of the covert. He is headed 

 by the puff of a cigar from young Coventry, who 

 had pertinaciously taken up a position close to Jem, 

 the first whip, although respectfully solicited not to 

 do so. 



X 2 



