152 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



Chebsey, but, turning to the right, ho crossed over Mr. Browne's farm, Walton 

 Bank (who, to his honour be it said, is no enemy to fox-hunting) ; he then 

 crossed tbe river Sow, where a friendly bridge stood in good need, and passed on 

 near Yeld's Rough. Here there was a holloa back to Bridgford, but the hounds 

 could make nothing of it, and before they could get back to the old line the scent 

 failed. Yeld's Eough was evidently his line, as two foxes were seen to go away 

 at the top end (one of them the run one) soon after we had gone to the holloa. 

 The hounds were then taken back to Seighford, and, after one or two outlj'ing 

 coverts were drawn, we found one of the right sort in William's Wood, which 

 went away across the brook at the bottom, which obstacle rather checked 

 the ardour of some of the "field." We had a capital run over about five miles 

 of country ; time, forty-five minutes. It being now late and the scent cold, the 

 hounds were taken home, after a most excellent day's sport. It was a gi-eat 

 pleasure to us to have our popular Master with us again after his long absence, 

 and to see him looking so well ; and it was most gratifying to hear there is a 

 probability of his Lordship continuing the mastership of the pack after the present 

 three years' arrangement has expired ; and may he do so for many years to come 

 is the wish of all. I cannot come to a conclusion ^vithout congratulating Dickins 

 on the smart and businesslike appearance of himself, his " whips," and his 

 " darlings." 



PiXK. 



From the Staffordshire Advertiser, December 24th, 



1887: 



THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



The North Staftbrdshire hoimds met at Sugnall House on December 16th, 

 and a good fixture it proved. The day was rather stormy, with the wind blowing 

 fresh. I remember on the previous Friday a friend of mine, a gentleman of 

 gi-eat experience in the noble sport of fox-hunting, pointed out a rainbow, and 

 remarked, " There will be no scent to-day ; there never is when you see a rain- 

 bow in the morning." There were two rainbows ^'^sible on Friday', and we had 

 a good run. Now, this shows how xQry uncertain it is for even tlie most 

 experienced to hazard an opinion on that fickle thing — scent. After being 

 most liberally entertained by Mr. Williams, the laurels near the house were 

 drawn, as a fox was seen there a few days before ; but he was absent. Neither 

 was he at the covert opposite the house ; perhaps as the wind was fresh, he thought 

 a more sheltered spot desirable, for we found him in the osier bed bordering Cop- 

 mere Pool, and he nearly lost his brush at the start, one hound making a dash at 

 him. However, he managed to escape. Now, I believe that narrow^ escape of 

 the varmint at this stage had a material effect on what followed. He broke 

 for Walk Mill and bent round to Sugnall Wood, through which he went, and 

 crossed the road from Eccleshall to Charnes, and ran in front of Sugnall House. 

 He then put his head for Little Sugnall, and made his line through the following 

 places : Brockton, Ankerton, Badenhall, Mag^^ie Hall, to near Hilcot Wood. 

 Here he seemed to have been headed, for the hounds threw up their heads for a 

 moment, but he was seen by a gipsy girl to pass their tent to the left. The 

 hounds hit off his line and away over the Ox Leasows Farm. (I must not omit 

 to mention, on crossing the farms of l\Ir. Simpson, Ankerton, and Mr. Bourne, Ox 

 Leasows, the smile of welcome both these gentlemen gave us shows how friendly 

 they are disposed towards hunting, and, indeed, this may be said of all farmers iu 



