THE RULE OF Mr. GEORGE LANE FOX. 85 



It will be noticed that part of this extraordinary run was 

 over the York and Ainsty Thursday country, and that it 

 finished in the Bedale country. It only wanted a kill at the 

 end of it to make it perfect ; and it does not require much 

 imagination to picture the scene in Studley Park as hounds 

 were scurrying their fox to and fro on that dark December 

 afternoon. Nor does it require much imagination to picture 

 the chagrin of those who did not cross the river, when they 

 met their more enterprising friends on Friday morning at 

 Marston village. How the latter would glow as they told 

 the story ! They would probably forget the stern chase they 

 had before they got on terms with hounds after crossing the 

 river ; but they would not forget to describe how hounds 

 had raced over the grass, nor to dilate on the merits of 

 that gallant fox, and the glories of the wonderful run he 

 had shown them. 



They had another good run on the 30th, but sport was 

 indifferent on the whole, and the only other extract I shall 

 make refers to a good day in early February. There had 

 been frost in January, but February opened all right so far 

 as the weather was concerned. 



' February 4th. Cross Roads, Clifford Moor. Found in Wetherby 

 ' Grange Wood, went away by Compton to Lady Woods, 

 ' away by Lund Wood, fast towards Rigton, by Jenison's 

 ' Woods, to Langwith. Along the river bank towards 

 'Wetherby, back to Wetherby Grange, came away again 

 'by Compton, leaving it on the left, by Rigton, Hetchell, 

 'Dog Kennel Whin, Norwood bottoms, a good pace 

 ' through Saw Woods to Mr. Skelton's house, came up to 

 ' the fox, raced him towards Merrick, turned back to 

 'Thorner, to ground. Dug him out, and killed. A ct.pital 

 ' run ; two hours.' 



It was seldom that the spade was used under Mr. Fox's 

 rule ; but if ever hounds deserved a fox, it was after this 



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