THE OLD HUNTSMAN AND THE YOUNG MASTER 



one a clipper,' said the huntsman, with a beam of satisfaction 

 glistening in his eye. 



" ' And where's Rasselas ? Have you him now ? ' in- 

 quired I. 



" ' No, sir, no,' he replied, with a shake of the head, as a 

 thought of the crack old favourite flitted in his memory. 

 ' There never was a better,' continued he, ' but he's kennelled 

 now, I beg to say, sir, in another and better world.' Without 

 discussing this charitable anticipation of Rasselas' where- 

 abouts in the spot ordained for the reception of immaterial 

 spirits, we continued our survey of the kennel's denizens. 



" ' I saw a hound and a couple and a half of bitches in the 

 entrance,' I observed. 



" ' Aye, that was Chanticleer, one of the best hounds we 

 have,' replied the huntsman ; ' he's going to the Duke of 

 Bedford's.' 



" ' What ! Can you afford to part with one of the best ? ' I 

 asked. 



" ' Why, sir, I beg to say we can,' replied he ; ' and so 

 you'll think when you've seen the thirteen couples of hounds 

 of last year's entry.' 



" ' Then let me see them now.' 



"The young uns were then drawn, and greater pictures 

 cannot be imagined — all of one size, shape and colour, black- 

 and-tan being the matchless hue. I never derived a greater 

 treat than in witnessing this exhibition. Strong but not 

 heavy, without a grain of coarseness, and yet not an atom too 

 fine, I believe this pack is as near perfection as anything in 

 the shape of hounds can be bred. 



" ' That's rather a weedy one,' observed Goosey, selecting 

 a bitch that would pass for a spicy hound in many kennels. 

 * But,' continued he, ' I don't like to part with her, because I 

 might lose good blood in being too particular.' 



" Remember these sage words, ye draftsmen, and mind, at 

 the time you are uprooting the weeds, the flowers are not cut 

 up by the same hoe. After being gratified by a lengthy 

 view of these promising hounds, four couples of stallions were 

 drawn, and a more superb lot a man could not hope to see. 



149 



