CAPITAL GALLOP FROM SUGNALL. 153 



tliese parts.) He then crossed the Eccleshall and Norton Bridge road to the 

 Scammill, and made his way to Rodgeley Lodge, which he left to his right, over 

 the Shallowford and Chebsey road to Yeld's Bough, whicli he skirted to his left, 

 and thence to near Bridgford. Here he caused some trouble ; there was the river 

 to cross, and then the London and North-Western Railway. The river was 

 crossed by a bridge ; but the railway ? Now, this obstacle was considered 

 by some of the field to be impassable, and they made for the ford at Bridgford— 

 a fatal eiTor, for we were never with them again. Up to this point the time was 

 fifty minutes. Many might say this was enough, and we ought to be satisfied ; but 

 it certainly was not considered satisfactory by us to be out of what followed. 

 But to return to the railway. '• Where there is a will there is a way," and this 

 old adage proved correct in this instance, for two or three energetic sportsmen 

 jumped off" their horses and attacked the rails and posts, which they pulled down, 

 and so got across. From this point the fox made for Whitgreave, but seemed 

 suddenly to change his mind, and turned towards Shallowford Gorse, which he 

 I)assed to his left, and on to Mr. Sneyd's new gorse, then across the Norton 

 Bridge and Stone road, near Mr. Darlington's house, and over the North 

 Staffordshire Railway towards Yarnfield, thence to near Darlaston Wood, 

 and again to the left as if for Swynnerton, but bending again to the right, went 

 to gi-ound on Tittensor Chase. Any one who has an Ordnance map may measure 

 the distance run, and he will find it, as the crow flies, from Copmere to Sugnall 

 House, and from Sugnall House to Whitgreave, about seven miles; from 

 Whitgreave to Tittensor Chase, five miles ; thus making the distance from 

 tliese points not less than twelve miles, and allowing for detours, must have 

 been sixteen miles or more. Time, one hour and twenty minutes. These 

 [larticulars speak for themselves, and hunting men can form their own 

 opinion on this unusual run, taking into consideration the sort of country North 

 Staftbrdshire is to cross, with its small enclosures, rough, wide fences, drops, 

 doubles, brooks, by-roads, and railways. I cannot finish without sajnng the 

 manner in which this run was negotiated by Dickins does him great credit, 

 and shows he bas not lost a jot of his smartness and perseverance. I wish to say 

 a few words to those who do not hunt and are troubled with a sluggish liver 

 and take all sorts of medicine to obtain relief. I have found the greatest relief 

 from a gallop across a rough country, such as we had to-day, after a good pack of 

 hounds ; and I recommend those who are so afflicted to buy a good hunter or two, 

 and send a handsome subscription to the nearest Hunt, and follow the hounds as 

 often as they can, and they will find more relief and enjoyment than in all the 

 medicine in the world. 



PiXK. 



The following extracts are from Dickins's diary : — 



•' November 23rd, 1887. Sherratfs TFooc?.— Drew Sherratt's Wood blank, but 

 found in the small wood at Fradswell Heath. Ran to Milwich and nearly to 

 Hardiwick Heath, and back to Hilderstone and Fradswell and Birchwood Park. 

 Changed foxes. Ran by Leigh to Heybridge and Checkley, into Park Hall 

 Drumble ; through it, and killed him at Fole Hall, after three hours. A good 

 day. 



''November 2oth, 1887. Knowl Bank.— First drew Mill Dale. Found. 

 Ran to Foxley, and back by Booth's Drumble, and away to Craddock's Moss. 

 Had a turn in covert, and away back to Mill Dale ; through it and on by Booth's 

 Diumble, on to near Bignell End, up to Alsager Sprinks ; turned to the left, back 



