210 SAVAGE SVANETIA. 



was shared, perhaps a little to the detriment of 

 sport, between the different owners of hounds, 

 for be it understood the hounds were not one 

 pack, but the contributions from half-a-dozen 

 different kennels. Every one was furnished 

 with a huntmg-horn, at least all the owners 

 of doo;s carried these musical instruments. 



The meet was under a huge walnut tree, 

 so large that all our great following of men 

 and dogs seemed comfortably shaded beneath 

 its spreading limbs. 



At the meet waiting for us was a princess 

 of the country, who to her admirable address 

 as a horsewoman added a keen love of the 

 more dangerous forms of sport. Fair and 

 young, with a fund of bright spirits and 

 ready raillery, she was a welcome addition to 

 our party ; but may she forgive me if she ever 

 reads these lines, when I admit that the first 

 sight of her bonnie face and trim hunting 

 costume sent my last hope of sport to the 



