346 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



perhaps turn out a good huntsman, though not as a 

 certain sequence." Well, we are on the move now, 

 after the learned in such matters have expressed 

 their opinion on the merits and condition of the 

 pack ; and I heard one jealous chap, who has gained 

 a high reputation in the shires, remark, " Ah ! the 

 vale is their province ; they can't go over the open." 

 " Can't they ?" sneered old Fowler of ours, who heard 

 the observation. "You'll soon be satisfied on 

 that point." Another fellow said, " If there is a fox 

 in that patch of short gorse, they can't get into it 

 to get him out of it." 



" Now, Will," cried the old Squire, " let them go ; 

 and you will oblige me, gentlemen," he said cour- 

 teously, addressing the cavalcade of horsemen already 

 pressing forward, " if you will keep on this side the 

 covert, and leave the other open for the fox to have 

 a start. Don't be nervous, gentlemen, my hounds 

 are so heavy and slow that they can't run away from 

 you can they, Mr. Staveley?" appealing to that 

 first-rate sportsman. 



Staveley appeared to be rather dull of hearing that 

 morning, as he made no reply ; but he was gathering 

 up his reins, and close to Will Headman, when his 

 hounds sprang into and buried themselves beneath 

 the dark green covert. In a few seconds the surface 

 of the gorse began to wave to and fro, like a field 

 of standing corn bending before the wind, then 

 heads appeared here and there above it, and ever 

 and anon the forms of Will Headman's favourites 

 were observed springing clean out of it, with a 

 short sharp note. 



