180 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



made for Fradswell Plantation, where a real good fox was found that provided 

 a brilliant run. Breaking away on the Sherratt's Wood side, and leaving this 

 covert on the right, the line was across the Wetley Brook and past the brickyard 

 near the Bird-in-Hand, and, leaving Garsall Green on the right and Milwich on 

 the left, he set his mask for the Day Hills. From this point he crossed the 

 Uttoxeter and Stone road, and went right through Hardiwick Heath, over the 

 hill, and on as if for Orange Hayes. However, bold Reynard did not enter this 

 covert, but, leaving the Holly Wood on his right, crossed tiie North Staffordshire 

 Eailway near Stoke-by-Stone, and, going over the Stone and Sandon road, made 

 for the canal and river Trent, both of which he swam. The river here being 

 unfordable, the field were compelled to go round by Aston Bridge, after which 

 hounds were viewed in the far distance streaming away over the hill for Yarlet. 

 The pace now began to tell, and it was a case of " Catch them if you can ! " 

 Leaving Yarlet Covert on his left, Reynard was here headed to the right by the 

 Yarlet schoolboys, and went straight for Whitgreave, through the osier-bed there, 

 .and, making his point Yeld's Rough, this gallant fox was pulled over in the open 

 near Shallowford, the residence of Mr. Boote, one of the oldest and most respected 

 members of the Hunt. Time, an hour and ten minutes without a check, and a 

 ten-mile point. Hounds had the best of this run all through, the field never 

 getting upon terms with them after crossing the river, Dickins just getting up in 

 time to see his hounds race into their fox. 



After the obsequies, a move was made for Mr. Sneyd's Gorse at Cold Norton. 

 In this excellent covert, which I am told has never been drawn blank (Mr. 

 Darlington, the tenant farmer, has charge of it, and is the best of fellows), at 

 least a brace of foxes were on foot, and hounds, getting away on the back of one, 

 ran past Cold Norton Farm and over Micklow Grange Farm, down to the North 

 StatJbrd Railway, which was crossed here ; up the Hill to Darlaston Wood, and, 

 leaving this wood and Bury Bank Gorse on the right, went straight through 

 Tittensor Common and Cumbersome Wood. On quitting this covert the line 

 was across Groundslow Farm to Beech Clifl". Leaving Beech Dale to the left, 

 he went over the hill, and led the field, which at this period was reduced to " a 

 select few," merrily down the valley to Cliftbrd's Wood, where he got to ground. 

 Time, forty-five minutes, with only one slight check. 



Double Sxaffle. 



Dickins's short account of the Sherratt's Wood day is 

 •as follows : — 



" February 4</t, 1891. Sherrati's Wood. — Found a good fox in Fradswell 

 Heath. Ran fast to Sherratt's Wood, and to the left by Day Hills and Milwich 

 up to Hardiwick Heath, down by Orange Hayes, over the North Staftbrdshire 

 Railway, canal, and river, up over Yarlet Hill, past Whitgreave, and killed him 

 near Shallowford, One hour and ten minutes. Found another in Mr. Sneyd's 

 ■Gorse. Ran him to Darlaston, over Tittensor Chase, up through Beech Dale, to 

 Clifford's Wood to ground." 



On February 10th, from Moddershall, there seems to 

 have been a fair day's sport, which is thus related by 

 Dickins in his diary : 



^''February 10th, 1891. Moddershall Mill. — Found in Moddershall Oaks. 

 Ran a ring to ground. Got on another. Ran to Spot Acre, and lost. Found 



