6 THE BEST OF THE FUN 



ever emerging on horseback. But nobody is down there 

 now, so the others must have got out somehow. 



By my Saxon soul, if I ever come out of this aHve 

 I'll be off by the morning train back to peaceful North- 

 amptonshire. Hold up, old man. You have a helpless, 

 ignorant being on your back ; and his fate is wholly in 

 your hands. Down we go into the muddy tank awaiting 

 us — the slush flying upward to fill eyes, nose, and mouth 

 — a second spring (long before we are ready) not only 

 lifting us half-way up the perpendicular bank, but bringing 

 our face in full contact with the good steed's unrelenting 

 skull. The shock drives our head back till every well- 

 worn feature is fresh-scored by the overhanging thorns ; 

 a third spring drags us painfully to daylight ; and by the 

 help of a stout snaffle bridle we emerge battered, bleeding, 

 and thoroughly frightened, to pursue the flying men of 

 Meath. Just in time now to join them, as one by one 

 they walk up another thorny bank, then call upon their 

 horses to leap, at a stand, a yawning chasm that we, 

 in our simple ignorance, should have deemed far beyond 

 the power of horseflesh, however strong of hock or stout 

 of loin. Fearlessly the bold nags fling themselves, and 

 safely they land one and all. In meek amazement we 

 suggest to our well-taught conveyance that he should do 

 likewise. Aptly he follows suit, and thankfully we mur- 

 mur a blessing on the liberal owner to whose friendly 

 kindness we are indebted. Again the great four-pound-an- 

 acre bullocks came ramping round ; and again are 

 hounds hindered when they should be choking their 

 fox. Now they reach the demesne — if I am right in so 

 terming the surroundings of the house at Tullyard. A 

 huge mearing (Anglice, boundary) fence, or embankment, 

 with perpendicular face and watery ditches, here stands 

 athwart the path. Half the party turn leftward, to tackle 

 it where said to be just feasible. Three out of four first 

 essayists are down in the effort ; while hounds swing 

 suddenly to the right, recross the great double, and go on 

 attended by master and man. Over pasture and bank 

 they hunt cheerily on — hindered occasionally by cattle, 

 but often close at their fox, ere reaching Meadstown. A 



