AN UNLUCKY SPORTSMAN. 57 



Chansett's latest exploits with the Meadshire are 

 decidedly curious. 



" I wish I could lend you a horse, old man, but I 

 can't, because I've only got two that can go at all now, 

 and one was out yesterday for a hard day," Flutterton 

 said one Tuesday afternoon at the IMutton Chops ; " but 

 I'll tell you what you can do. Write to Gates, and tell 

 him to send on something decent for you on Thursday, 

 and come and dine and sleep at my place. We meet at 

 the Cross Roads, and I'll drive you over. We'll make 

 up for it ! " 



The thing that had to be made up for was a cub- 

 hunting expedition of Chansett's. He had been looking 

 for the hounds in a strange country, and after following 

 various intricate directions had found himself on the 

 banks of a stream in which a number of nondescript 

 animals were searching for an otter whose existence 

 had been reported — falsely to all appearances. 



At any rate with Flutterton he was certain to find 

 the hounds, and we knew that the good-natured little 

 man would do his best to insure Chansett a day's sport. 



" Don't trust to a letter. Telegraph to Gates, and 

 ask him if he can send a horse for you to the Cross 

 Roads, on Thursday. Pay the answer, and say you're 

 going to hunt with me. Cross Roads mind, with the 

 Meadshire hounds, on Thursday. There can't be a 

 mistake about that, though you are such an unlucky 

 beggar when you get on a horse." 



Thus Flutterton gave directions. Chansett wrote the 



