Friday, February 14 th, 1896. 



St. Valentine's Day. 

 Meet at the " Rifle Volunteer," Emmbrook. A field of 

 twenty, some six outsiders. Among those looking on was a dis- 

 tinguished general officer (father of one of the hard-riding, straight- 

 going contingent), who evinced not only the keenest interest in the 

 " Drag," but also in every good-looking woman in Berkshire. 

 This latter interest prevented his seeing the assumption at a fence 

 on the part of his son of a somewhat unorthodox position, "but 

 that," as Kipling says, " is another story." 



The hounds were laid on north of the railway, and ran N.E. 

 through rather heavy country, over the Emm, across a road, then 

 behind Bill Hill, over another road, and so to Church Farm, 

 Hurst. 



The Emm stopped the field, already some distance behind the 

 hounds, owing to the severe restraint imposed by the acting Field 

 Master, who only allowed it to start as the stern of the tail hound 

 vanished from sight. A gallant Cavalryman, who would not be 

 denied, however, stole a march and got off well in front. 

 Eventually all got safely over, but the stoppage queued the field, 

 and from the Emm onwards a straggling line of struggling horse- 

 men rode hard to get up. 



( 29) 



