380 SYSTEM OF KEXXEL AND 



deer cart like blazes, although the poor brute shut up 

 in it, had not put his hoof yet on the ground, so 

 that couldn't be called a pad scent any ways 'twere 

 all in the Aair, squire/' 



" Well, so it is generally., Will ; but the air is 

 uncommonly cold just now, and thank goodness we 

 are at the Queen's Head, where we shall get some 

 hot brandy-and-watcr." 



" And I'll warrant, squire, arter we have drunk it 

 folk might run us for a mile or two when we get 

 into our saddles." 



" Well, what's to be done with the horses, they are 

 worst off?" 



" We'll put 'em into the stable for a minute or 

 two, out of this biting wind, whilst we gets some hot 

 gruel for 'em and a mouthful of hay." 



" Corn, I suppose you mean ?" 



" No, squire, they could'nt eat it ; and if they 

 would gruel is the thing first, with a noggin of gin in 

 it to warm 'em, then a morsel of hay, and we must be 

 on their backs again. It won't do to let 'em stop 

 too long, or they'll get stiff; and here's a large loose 

 box with plenty of straw where we will put the 

 hounds for the ten minutes we can stay." 



Whilst Headman and Jem, with the ostler, were 

 arranging for the comfort of their horses, John 

 Stavelcy entered the house, ordering cold meat with 

 the brandy-and-water for three, to be placed on the 

 table in the traveller's room, where blazed a roaring 

 fire, before which he stood with his back to the 

 grate. 



" Now, waiter, that will do ; we havn't much time 



