A SKETCH OF THE BLACKMORE VALE 345 



purpose best as a rcnigh-weather, or at any rate as a 

 wintry medium. Energy and excitement are the soul of 

 it, and these have no place in the midday hours that of 

 late have been chosen for the pursuit. Few of us are fond 

 of early rising ; some of us like to " come home to tea," 

 and all of us entertain a happy respect for dinner-time. 

 But, were I an independent Master of Foxhounds (is 

 there a being so enviable ?) I would in such weather either 

 follow the lead of John Peel " at break of day," or I would 

 take my chance in the cool of eve. In my humble opinion 

 it is a distressful sight to see panting hounds working their 

 utmost upon a scentless fox, the latter knowing his advan- 

 tage possibly, unwilling to go positively, and surrendering 

 himself probably to be killed rather than face the open 

 distance. Worse still if you can't find him, as you prob- 

 ably w'on't in the small, pet coverts where you most want 

 him, though you may come across foxes in confusing 

 multitude in a cool woodland, and there maybe " mop 'em 

 up like mice," as I have heard our observant huntsman 

 put it. 



Not for me is it to take exception to the happy covert- 

 side, whereat all that is mortal is most genial, and where 

 the most prominent atoms of the present week have been 

 the Easter floodings home for a holiday. (They gave us 

 no such opportunity in my time, or, egad, upon how many 

 more days in Leicestershire might 1 not have the joy of 

 looking back ?— the happiest days of all.) Breeches and 

 gaiters and a pony that can jump — w^hat a boast I should 

 have gone back with, and fought it out with Jones junior 

 when he swore I w^asn't trusted with spurs ! 



CHAPTER LIV 



A SKETCH OF THE BLACKMORE VALE 



The hunting season of the Blackmore Vale seldom comes 

 to an end before the first week in May. If the present 

 year be an exception, 'twall be in view of a forward spring 

 and the farmers' interests. That I have been indulged 



