XVII 



DAYS WITH THE OTTER 

 HOUNDS 



A "HARMING morning was that of the 

 1 3th of September. Early autumn so 

 revealed herself, that she could be 

 mistaken for no other season of the 

 year. In beads, the dew was on the grass. 

 Through a tender grey mist, the sun shed a ray- 

 less light. Anon, it edged the clouds with a 

 dazzling glory. On coming forth, it glinted, 

 rather than shone, with the steady glare of sum- 

 mer. The glint was on the leaves, over the 

 great turnip field, between the dark furrows. In 

 shadow, the fences and the corn stocks fell far 

 across the stubble. In shadow, the sedges trem- 

 bled in the pools. A freshening wind chased the 

 water into silver-tipped ripples, ever and anon 

 darkened by the veiling of the sun. 



The meet was at a quaint mill. Old enough 

 to be picturesque, it was called the new mill. 

 Like most of us, it was younger when christened. 

 In the yard, the field more than half ladies, fresh 

 as morning, and fitly toileted were pleasantly 



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