56 SKETCHES EV THE HUNTING FIELD. 



But what was his friend ahead doing r As he neared 

 the wood, the broad ride through which Chansett could 

 now see, his leader stopped to a trot, pulled up, turned 

 right round facing his pursuer, and having so stood for 

 a few seconds, began to walk back, the rider checking 

 attempts at a trot. 



Chansett approached him, and detected a lad, in 

 cords and butcher boots, a pot hat and tweed coat. 



"Don't you see anything of the hounds?" Chansett 

 asked. 



" Hounds ? No, sir. They ain't come this way. They 

 was at Whorley Bridge this morning. I passed 'em on 

 the road as I come along," the guide answered. 



" I thought you were riding after them ! " poor Chan- 

 sett said. 



" No, sir. I come up here to give the mare a gallop," 

 was the response. 



" And Where's Whorley Bridge ? " Chansett inquired, 

 looking at his watch. It was only a few minutes past 

 eleven now. 



" Whorley Bridge, sir ? You've been coming right 

 away from it," the stable boy replied. " It's nigh upon 

 four mile from here," and he explained the route ; but 

 by the time that Chansett reached the spot there was no 

 sign of horse or hound. There was nothing for it but 

 to go home and reflect on the folly of jumping at con- 

 clusions. Because a man happened to be galloping it 

 did not follow that he was after hounds, as Chansett 

 now saw distinctly. 



