152 TALES AND TRAITS OF SPORTING LIFE. 



the second time of asking, particularly if you have had 

 anything- like a run with the first. The half-hour allowed 

 between the heats has just been enough to stiffen the 

 nags, and partially dry the dirt on them and the men's 

 clothes. The ver}^ hounds don't draw with that dash that 

 marked their first '' charge" in the morning-, but ^' hoik- 

 on'' far more methodically and soberly. Everybody, in 

 fact, now it has come to the point, appears to think they 

 might just as well have left the captain and his fox and 

 his ^^very curious" for another day. Still he may not be 

 here, after all, despite the svv'agger with which our ad- 

 viser picks his way up the ride. 



* * * * * 



The Firs are half drawn, and not a hound yet shows a 

 symptom of improving upon that somew^hat indifferent 

 air with which he entered them. Even Will's cheer be- 

 comes more cheery and confident, as he begins to think 

 his day's w^ork over, and that we shall go quietly home 

 yet, when — hark there! — a challenge deep and strong. 

 ^' Have at him. Conqueror, my man ! Hark to Conqueror, 

 hark!" — and there are twenty ready to back him. There 

 is not much lying in the Firs at any time, and little 

 enough now : he can't stop here long-, that's certain. 



** Hoik on ! hoik on to him there," urges a whip, with 

 just a cautionary crack to the tail hounds. 



" Tally ho /" sings out the Captain, as a fresh, full- 

 brushed, determined-looking fellow crosses the ride above 

 him. 



^^ Away I Gone away V is heard from the upper end 



of the cover, hardly a moment afterwards ; and arvay he 



is, and no mistake ! 



• * * * * 



" I thoiglit therrj Vv'as no fox to be found here," says 



