WARWICK WOODLANDS. 37 



fox-hunt before breakfast, as a preliminary to a fresh 

 skirmish with the quail. 



In a few minutes I was on foot and in the parlor, 

 where I found a bright crackling tire, a mighty pitcher of 

 milk punch, and a plate of biscuit, an apt substitute for 

 breakfast before starting; while, however, I was discuss- 

 ing these, Archer arrived, dressed just as I have de- 

 scribed him on the preceding day, with the addition of 

 a pair of heavy hunting spurs, buckled on over his half- 

 boots, and a large iron-hammei-ed whip in his right hand. 



"That'3 right. Frank," he exclaimed, after the ordinary 

 salutations of the morning. 



"Why that old porpoise told me you would not be ready 

 these two hours; he's grumbling out yonder by the stable 

 door, like a hog stuck in a farm-yard gate. But come, we 

 may as well be moving, for the hounds are all uncoupled, 

 and the nags saddled — put on a pair of straps to your fus- 

 tian trowsers and take these racing spurs, though Peacock 

 does not want them — and now, hurrah!'' 



This was soon done, and going out upon the stoop, a 

 scene — it is true, widely different from the kennel door 

 at ^lelton, or the covert side at Billesdon Coplow, yet not 

 by any means devoid of interest or animation — presented 

 itself to my eyes. About six couple of large heavy hounds, 

 with deep and pendant ears, heavy well-feathered sterns, 

 broad chests, and muscular strong limbs, were gathered 

 round their feeder, the renowned Jem Lyn ; on whom it 

 may not be impertinent to waste a word or two, before 

 proceeding to the mountains, which, as I learned, to my 

 no little wonder, was destined to be our hunting ground. 



Picture to yourself, then gentle reader, a small but 

 actively formed man, with a face of most unusual and 

 portentous ugliness, an uncouth grin doing the part of a 

 smile; a pair of eyes so small that they would have been 

 invisible, but for the serpent-like vivacity and brightness 

 with which they sparkled from their deep sockets, and a 

 profusion of long hair, coal-black, but lank and uncurled 

 as an Indian's, combed smoothly down with a degree of 

 care entirely out of keeping with the other details, whether 

 of dress or countenance, on either cheek. Above these 

 sleek and cherished tresses he wore a thing which might 

 have passed for either cap or castor, at the wearer's pleas- 

 ure; for it was wholly destitute of brim except for a space 



