136 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



and the tree-tops laid down as a cover. Only a nominal rent is paid by the 

 Hunt for this cover. But to return to the gate. We soon hear the glad 

 announcement, " Gone away," when we are released from our restraint, and 

 «very one is free to do the best he can, barring, of course, anything to interfere 

 with sport or the etiquette of the hunting-field. The fox pointed as if going to 

 Norton Bridge, then to the right, through Mr. William Ball's planting, by the 

 side of his house, straight ahead as if for Mr. Sneyd's new gorse, leaning to the 

 left as if for Walton Heath ; leaving this also to the left, he made for the Black 

 Planting at Pirehill, though without dwelling a minute, and up to the house. 

 The pace to this was very fast, but no sooner had the hounds got clear of the 

 surroundings than they raced at a fearful pace. The pack certainly here had 

 the best of it, for they were leaving us behind, and not surprising, considering 

 the rough and big fences, but it is astonishing how good horses will struggle on ; 

 what willing, noble animals they are ! From Pirehill he led straight towards 

 Whitgreave village ; leaving the wood to his right, he went on to the farm on 

 the hill, and then back to Shallowford Gorse at a telling pace, did not stay a 

 moment, out on the far side, but taking a nearer line, again towards the Black 

 planting, and saved his brush by going to earth in a drain on Mr. Tittertou's 

 farm near the house, where he was left safe, as Mr. Titterton gave his word to 

 see no harm befell him, and it is sincerely to be hoped he lives to give us another 

 such a gallop. All expressed themselves delighted with the day's sport, and it 

 certainly will be remembered as one of the red-letter days of the season. — Pink. 



" January 4th, 1886. Weston Hall, Crewe. — Found in a small covert at 

 Basford, but killed him at once (got a wire on). Found another at Betley Gorse. 

 Ran a ring to Madeley and back, and away by Balterley Heath to Barthomley 

 Drumble ; on nearly to Foxley, turned to the right up to Audley, and on to 

 Hayes Wood and Walton's Wood, Madeley, through and on to Keele Station, and 

 back to Coal Pit Wood, where he got to ground dead beat. A good day." 



Soon after this a frost set in, which lasted nearly all 

 through the month of January and the early part of 

 February, 1886. 



" February 22nd, 1886. Woore. — Found in Canridden. Ran a fast ring by 

 Three Brooks and Buerton Gorse back to Canridden, and killed in covert. Found 

 a second in Admiral's Gorse. Ran to Harrow's Wood and on by Buerton village 

 to Chapel Wood at Doddington, into the park, to ground in a drain. Found 

 again in Checkley Wood. Ran to Wriuehill and Madeley, and stopped hounds. 



'^ March 27th, 1886. Loggerheads. — Went to Ashley for the first draw. 

 Found. Ran fast to Betton, and lost. Drew the Folly blank, and went on to 

 Forty Acres. Found. Ran fast by Mucklestone to Oakley Folly, over the 

 park to Betton and Brown Hills, and back to Betton Hall, and killed him. 



" April 7th, 1886. Sherratfs Wood. — Found on Fradswell Heath, and killed 

 in covert. Got away with a second. Ran to Hose Wood, Draycot, and by the 

 Bird-in-Hand to Spot Nursery and on to Moddershall, through and on to 

 Barlaston, to the left by Hart well to Downs Bank, Gorse, to ground. Did not 

 find again." 



Record for this season, sixty-one foxes killed, forty- 

 eight run to ground. Eighty-six days' hunting altogether. 

 Long frosts in January, February, and March. Hunting 



