AN ENGLISH PRAIRIE-FIRE. 



141 



leaves which, when dead, will linger, loth to fall, almost 

 through the winter, rustling in the wind, till the buds of 

 spring push them off. 



Graver mischief is sometimes committed with the 

 lucifer-match, and with more of the set purpose of destruc- 

 tion. In the vast expanse of furze outside the wood on 

 the high ground the huntsmen are almost certain of a find, 

 and, if they can get between the fox and the wood, of a 

 rattling burst along the edge of the downs ; no wonder, 

 therefore, that both they and the keeper set store by this 

 breadth of ' bush.' To this great covert more than once 



AN ENGLISH PRAIRIE-FIRE. 



some skulking 'scoundrel has set fire, taking good care to 

 strike his match well to windward, so that the flames might 

 drive across the whole, and to choose a wind which would 

 also endanger the wood. Now nothing flares up with 



