A GREAT WEEK AP^TER FROST 435 



cloud of hurrying pursuers, spread in a broad front upon 

 the trail of hounds, it would be presumptuous of me to 

 attempt to particularise. But had I to name one or two of 

 the readiest exponents, I believe I should not be far wrong 

 in taking the two Messrs. Craig from Warwickshire and 

 j\Ir. H. Bentley from Northamptonshire. Lilbourne Gorse 

 gave breathing time, and horses wanted it badly. " Duns- 

 more " gave us the rest of the run — a handsome kill in 

 the open. How well the turf rode — most of it — and of 

 course we crossed barely a ploughed field. 



Nor did we in the afternoon after that quick find and 

 quick start from. Cook's Gorse. The valley of the Raund's 

 Brook took us to Bunker's Hill ; what fun it was over 

 those steeplechase fences at frying pace ! Our fox went on 

 at once, while another went for Shuckburgh. Pace halted, 

 and mended again as we struck the wide pastures north- 

 ward, leftward of D unchurch village, right ward of Leices- 

 ter's Piece. I can hardly recall the exact geography. 

 These delightful visions of fox-hunting (such as the 

 last .three days have given, and such as the week seems 

 intent upon furnishing), give no time as they pass for 

 reading the misty landscape. One may puzzle it out 

 afterwards, and herein lies half the joy of the play. 



I have carried you — dragged you on possibly — for 

 half-an-hour ; and now I bring you to Thurleston Grange 

 on the upper fiat of wide Dunsmoor. A lengthy check, 

 a holloa across the railway, and hounds again stealing 

 away on a rapturous scent. The next two miles were 

 a chase over a chasing country, Mr. Wallis most of the 

 time playing winner. So to Bourton, if I grasp the 

 track aright ; thence* to Frankton village ; thence to 

 Birdingbury ; thence fast again to Marton villages, with 

 a hunt across much light plough to Princethorpe Wood. 

 Time as stated — fully ih hours. Point at least eight 

 miles. Of a truth it was a charming run. If anything 

 more came of it I have yet to learn, for, arrived at the 

 big woods, with horses and selves well satisfied, we all, 

 or nearly all, turned homeward, having enjoyed what 

 we venture to term an old-fashioned North Warwickshire 

 Tuesday — sport from end to end. You will understand 



