154 TALES AND TRAITS OF SPORTING LIFE. 



ended the dispute at an awkwardish stile^ which she g-ot 

 over^ a leg" at a time — treating me to a terrible cropiDer on 

 the other side. 



This was the last I saw of it ; in which long', lingering 

 gaze the tail of Bob Hastie's grey in full flirt occupied a 

 prominent position. I believe he was the last man left 

 with them. But even he can give no authentic finish to 

 the history of our second fox. He was viewed by a 

 keeper, long after the grey cut it, just on the edge of 

 *^the great woods," with one hound coursing- him, and a 

 few more couple toiling on. If there was a who-whoop, 

 it was Conqueror gave it him. 



* * * * * 



It was latish before I reached home, for Margery did 

 not travel ^^ express," and of course we had been running* 

 right away from home. Second foxes always do. When 

 I did get back, the greeting- was not a very warm one. 

 It is astonishing how at times my wife and that Prudence 

 agree in their tones, and the way of putting their questions. 



"Why, good gracious, Mr. Softun, where have you 

 been all this time?"' 



" Been hunting, my dear, of course j where do you 

 think I have been ? " 



" Been hunting ! Why, as I was coming through the 

 village, not a quarter past two, I met young Mr. Choarist, 

 the curate, coming back, sir. He told me the hunt was 

 over early, and that you would be home before I should." 



" Yes, my love, very true. But Choarist left after the 

 first fox." 



*^ The first ! Why you don't mean to say any of you 

 went after another ? A set of hard-hearted wretches ! I 

 think you might have been satisfied with one." 



" I think we miyht, my love." 



