MOTHER HUNT 131 



most trying moment was when they were asked to meet a learned 

 lady who could speak Arabic. The boys who did this were very good 

 boys, so good that they were on friendly terms with a Senior Dean 

 and a Divinity Professor, who being told about it could not sleep for 

 spasmodic asthma. I met the " uncle " two days afterwards at 

 luncheon, so of course my version is accurate. Some one told me 

 afterwards that the Senior Dean crept about back streets for several 

 days lest some one should inform him of the occurrence officially. Also 

 that one of the Trinity porters heard a " damn " as one of the Saracens 

 stumbled, but did not give the show away. 



But we have told enough tales of sport and pleasantry, and must 

 return to the last fragment of Mr. Burges's beagle narrative, relating 

 to " Mother " Hunt's last season. 



" Hunt's remaining seasons were equally good. He had bred a 

 large number of black-and-tan hounds which were a remarkable 

 feature of the pack — among them was one celebrated hound ' Cygnet,' 

 of the squeaky voice ; another wonderful bitch was ' Barmaid,' ^ who 

 I believe was still in the pack during Mr. Pease's Mastership, and 

 ' Bismarck,' an ugly, coffin -headed, but good hound. But Hunt's 

 favourite hound was old 'Harkaway,' who was like a miniature 

 foxhound, and had rounded ears. He w^as bought by Hunt some- 

 where, and on leaving Hunt bought him from the pack for £25, 

 more as a gift to the Committee's finances than for the value of 

 the hound, as he was very old. Hunt kept him till he died. 



" Hunt went down after Lent Term 1883, and was succeeded by 

 Mr. Watkin Wynn. 



" He left the hunt with a fine pack of hounds, with Kennels built 

 and equipped, hunt servants properly arrayed, and last, but by far 

 from least, a name among the farmers which is recollected to this 

 day, not only on account of his boundless hospitality, but because 

 he became a personal friend of every farmer over whose land he 

 hunted. Who does not recollect Mr. Ivatt of Rampton, and riding 

 days galore, Mr. Ellis, Mr. Baker, Mr. Bennett, Mr. King, Mr. 

 Banyard, Mr. Mason of Waterbeach, and many others, and their 

 kindness and hospitality in those days ? " 



^ I remember her myself.— F. C. K. 



