SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 339 



" I hope we shall get there before those snobs/' 

 exclaimed Staveley. 



" Breath is lost upon such as they be, squire. We 

 shall see 'em again long before they sees the old fox 

 in Jem's hand. The ground goes better now, sir ; 

 we have got upon dairy land, and in course the 

 hounds, too, feel the difference/' 



For somewhat less than a mile, the trio kept 

 a-head of the huntsman and Mr. Staveley, when, on 

 doing a stiff in-and-out cleverly, although slowly, 

 No. 1 was found standing over the prostrate form of 

 his horse, with his glass to his eye, exclaiming, 

 "Eh, demmit, what's the matter with him? Mr. 

 Headman, what's your opinion ?" as that individual 

 pushed through the fence. 



" Slow and sure, sir ! good night ! You must 

 carry your own saddle home, that's all about it." 



" Dem that old raven ! but his croaking is true 

 enough. The puff is out of him, and no mistake." 



" On ! on ! on ! still forward !" is the cry; and gal- 

 lantly does the old fox now put forth his utmost speed 

 to distance his pursuers. Hitherto he had not been 

 pressed, but now came that pressure when he felt it 

 most oppressive. There was life in the old fox yet. 

 Foiled by Jem in his purpose of taking refuge in the 

 quarry hole, he now set his head straight for another 

 stronghold four miles distant ; but having reckoned 

 on a bad scent, as before, he was mistaken, or rather 

 overtaken, before he could accomplish his purpose. 

 Jem and the rattlers were close in his wake ; and the 

 former, now having it all his own way, capped and 

 cheered them on at such a terrific pace, that he got 



z 2 



