FATAL ACCIDENT. 291 



them. One hound seized him as he was swim- 

 ming across, and they both went down together. 

 The hound came up again, but the fox appeared 

 no more. By means of a boat and a long pole, 

 we got tlie fox out. Had he not been seen to 

 sink, he would hardly have been tried for under 

 water ; and, without doubt, we should have 

 wondered what had become of him. 



Now we are at the chapter of accidents, I 

 must mention another, that lately happened to 

 me on crossing a river, to draw a cover on the 

 other side of it. The river Stower frequently 

 overflows its banks, and is also very rapid, and 

 very dangerous. The flood, that morning, 

 though sudden, was extensive. Tlie neighbour- 

 ing meadows were all laid under water, and 

 only the tops of hedges appeared. There were 

 posts to direct us to the bridge, but we had a 

 great length of water to pass before we could 

 get at it: it was, besides, so deep, that our 

 horses almost swam ; and the shortest-legged 

 horses, and longest-legged riders, were worst ofl". 

 The hounds dashed in as usual ; and were im- 

 mediately carried, by the rapidity of the cur- 

 rent, a long way down the stream. The hunts- 

 man was far behind them ; and as he could go 

 but slow, he was constrained to see his hounds 

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