342 THE BEST OF THE FUN 



morning meet, and through Caldicote's Spinney towards 

 the Sticks. Close past the left of this, and along almost 

 the line of the morning. Yonder he goes ! No, 'tis a 

 hare. Yes, but a fox besides. And Ihey killed him some 

 forty and odd minutes after leaving the Keeds. 



My sketch might, under other conditions, have been 

 more practical and systematic. As it stands, I trust it 

 may in some degree convey how genial a day was this 

 Wednesday. I remember no occasion on which the 

 verdict after event was more unanimous and cordial. 

 Every single member of a large field appeared to have 

 enjoyed himself or herself to the utmost, by no means 

 excepting the trainload of fair pilgrims from Weedon and 

 Daventry. The second run of the day, not so straight, 

 though at times fully as fast as the scurry of the morning 

 perhaps, met with more general favour, fully a hundred 

 people taking their part. 



Prominent visitors, by the way, were Prince and 

 Princess Henry of Pless, and Mr. Coupland. 



" Any wire here ? " shouted some of them to a grey 

 farmer as he rushed out bare-headed to welcome them 

 through a gate. " Wire be d — d ! " he responded lustily. 

 " I keeps no wire i' winter-time." Good luck and good 

 crops to you; hearty friend. Would that every English 

 farmer might answer us thus. 



CHAPTER LIII 



A WATERY SCRAP 



The final holiday of the Pytchley (season 1893-94) was 

 on Wednesday, March 28. They fixed it for Welton 

 Station, and they relied upon Braunston Gorse. The sun 

 blazed hotly as for a week past, but the east wind blew 

 cold and kindly, and it was this bite in the breeze that 

 alone led to a stirring day's sport. In summer kit mostly 

 — the kind of outfit that nowadays is held suitable for 

 London and its June rides — came hunting folk from far 

 and near. Yes, a hunting-coat is a heavy infliction, and 

 mufti, i.e. straw hat and loose jacket, looks well enough 



