158 SKETCHES IN THE HUNTING FIE ID. 



horse lies behind the shoulders, but none the less the 

 animal in question was an exception, and without good 

 shoulders a horse can hardly make a good hunter. 



By the time we reach the high road the stream of 

 horsemen is thickening, and under the oaks in the 

 Manor park a little throng of farmers has already 

 assembled, chatting gaily and doing justice to the 

 contents of well-filled trays thoughtfully provided for 

 those who do not accept the general invitation to 

 breakfast. Neatly attired grooms are leading their 

 charges to and fro, and on the steps of the house the 

 master stands, amidst a little booted and spurred group 

 who have made way for hungry late-comers, pressing 

 all and sundry to enter and join the party at the table, 

 who, unless a glance through the window conveys a 

 singularly incorrect impression, are having a merry 

 time of it. 



The old butler knows our weakness, and confidently 

 whispering that he has " got some of that sherry up " 

 forthwith proceeds to fetch a sensible-sized bumper for 

 myself and friend, together with a third for the Major, 

 one of the pillars of this hunt, who has a keen apprecia- 

 tion of that most excellent vintage. 



Fresh additions to the company are constantly arriv- 

 ing. Here comes young Laceby's drag, somewhat 

 feebly handled by that young gentleman himself, who 

 is ardently wishing that he dared give his off leader 

 what that too excitable animal richly deserves ; only 

 that he is painfully uncertain as to what might happen 



