330 SYSTEM OF KEXNEL AND 



although all cluster together, and press on in close 

 column, the lead being conceded to the veterans, 

 whom experience has taught how to make the best 

 of a bad scent. Still they are moving the blade of 

 grass does not grow under their feet, when they 

 meet with it in old ley or this year's seeds. O'er 

 fallows no tongue is heard ; and yet, with old 

 Saracen at head, the pace, such as it is, does not 

 slacken. He knows and feels the line of the fox, 

 and without saying a word about it presses resolutely 

 forward, until he strikes the meuse in the hedgerow 

 through which his game had passed ; then, with one 

 note only, gathering all to the front, he springs the 

 fence, and through the next field of turnips the 

 chorus swells and the pace increases. 



" Ah ! fallows again," exclaimed Will Headman, 

 in disgust. "Summer fallowing is of some use; 

 winter fallowing is of none, that I can see, except to 

 stop hounds. At this rate he'll beat us blind ; yet 

 there's no saying a bit of luck, perhaps ; and here 

 it is, out of fallow into the road, which means out 

 of the frying-pan into the fire. Confound him ! 

 lie's an artful dodger ; but I've taken his measure 

 once, if not twice, before this morning. There 

 they must work it out as long as they can, and 

 when they can't I must help 'em." 



Headman was holding his hounds quietly forward 

 down the road, when overtaken by Mr. Stavclcy, who 

 asked abruptly, " Where now, Will ? He seems 

 bent on mischief, but I don't quite understand the 

 point he is making for." 



" There is an old stone quarry, Squire, some ten 



