l8o THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



how he strives to keep it ! — yet ViBor comes ep apace : he 

 reaches him ! — Observe what an excellent race it is between 

 them \ — It is doubtful v/hich will reach the cover firsts 

 How equally they run ! — ^how eagerly they strain !— Now 

 Victor, Vidor!—Ah, Brusher, thou art beaten, Vidor first 

 tops the hedge ! — See there ; see how they all take it in their 

 strokes! The hedge cracks with their weight, so many jump 

 at once ! 



Now hastes the whipper-in to the other side of the cover: 

 he is right, unless he head the fox. 



" Heav'ns ! what melodious strains ! how beat our hearts 



Big with tumultuous joy ! the loaded gales 



Breathe harmony ; and as the tempest drives 



From wood to wood, thro* ev'^ry dark recess 



The forest thunders, and the mountains shake." Somerv. 



Listen ! the hounds have turned : they are now in tv;a 

 parts. The fox has been headed back, and we have 

 changed at last. 



Now, my lad, mind the huntsman's halloo, and stop 

 to those hounds which he encourages. He is right I — 

 that, doubtless, is the hunted fox. Now they are off 



