THE FIRST MEET OF THE S HOUNDS. 159 



in the course of the next two minutes. The noble steed 

 has never taken quite kindly to harness, and knows 

 very well what ail this gathering under the trees is 

 about; but beyond an entirely ineffectual "Who-a! 

 will you ! " — which he clearly won't till some one gets 

 down and holds his head — Laceby does not venture 

 to go. 



Here is the doctor, who, of course, is greeted with the 

 set jokes as to the object of his arrival which are com- 

 monly fired off when his fraternity appear in the hunt- 

 ing field ; and here, in the neatest of all possible pony 

 phaetons, is the Lady Bountiful of our district, driven 

 by her pretty daughter, who has a smile and a pleasant 

 word for all who ride up to shake the kindest and 

 prettiest little hand in all the south country. 



Away to the right there is evidently something up. 



It is the pack approaching ; and soon, with waving 

 sterns and upturned faces, seventeen couples of as well- 

 shaped hounds as are to be found in England, that is to 

 say in the world — so, at least, every member of our 

 Hunt will strenuously maintain, and readily answer any 

 criticism which the envious may adduce — are gathered 

 round their master's horse. 



We who implicitly believe in our master, especially 

 when aided by the advice of the Major and a few chosen 

 friends, together with such servants as those at our 

 kennels, knowing how many critical examination da5's 

 there have been on the flags and at walk, to say 

 nothing of a course of cub-hunting, have every confi- 



