GOOD GALLOP FROM DRAYCOT WOODS. 195 



liouiids had been put into cover, a fox was chopped. As we did not wish to 

 disturb tlie Woore cover, the hounds were taken to the l\[aer Hills, where a fox 

 was found almost immediately. He left this stronghold much in the same way 

 as our fox did on the Saturday, over}' one thinking we were in for another good 

 run. The scent being bad, and our fox some distance ahead of us, we ran slowly 

 on to Wrinehill. Here the hounds were stopped, as it was getting late. Having 

 left a few couples on the Maer Hills, Dickins went back to get them on his way 

 home. 



" Wednesday, February 22nd, was a red-letter day with these hounds. The 

 meet was at Sherratt's AVood, and those few who put in an appearance there were 

 well rewarded. The first draw was Brindley's Wood, where a vixen fox was un- 

 fortunately chopped as soon as the hounds had been put into covert. Birchwood 

 Park, Fradswell Heath, and Sherratt's Wood all proved blank. Trotting on to 

 Draycot, Bromley Wood was drawn, where a fox was soon afoot, and going 

 away at the bottom end, pointed for Hose Wood, which he skirted, leaving it on 

 tiie right, and, crossing the Cresswell road, made for Saverley Green and Lea 

 Crofts below Stallington, and ran on at a good pace as if for Blythe Bridge, but 

 before reaching the point turned sharp to the right and ran back much on the 

 same line. Hounds had their first check close to the Bird-in-Hand ; time, 

 twenty-five minutes. Dickins here showed great patience, and, leaving them 

 alone, hounds made their own cast, and hitting otf the line ran very fast back bj' 

 Sharpley Heath and Wetley Brook to Fradswell Heath, and, hunting the line very 

 prettily through this covert, went away as if for New Plantain, but leaving this 

 on the left, they ran fast on to the Rookery Covert above Field. Here our fox 

 tried the earths, which fortunately were stopped. His i)oint from here was to 

 Cratwich, and hounds did not check till the railway was reached near Grindley. 

 I lere a little breathing-time was allowed, for which man and horse were truly 

 grateful, while Dickins held his hounds over the raihvaj', and, after making a 

 short cast, lost no time in bringing them back, and getting on his line ran for the 

 Hand Leasows Wood. Here, to the great delight of those fortunate people who 

 had them, the secrnd horses turned up. Running over Chartley Park, he made 

 for the Shaw Go^se, which he skirted, and hounds, taking the line into Cocklands 

 Rough, made as if for Birchwood Park, but leaving this on the right, ran on past 

 I'radswell Heath for Sherratt's Wood. Here the keeper informed us he had 

 viewed the fox, dead beat, just ahead. Pushing on through this covert, the 

 hounds soon ran into this game fox, which they so richly deserved, at a farm at 

 High Park. The distance of this run as the crow flies was close on twenty 

 miles ; time, two hours and fifteen minutes. Our only regret was the absence of 

 our noble Master, who would have so thoroughly enjoyed this good day's sport, 

 and the pleasure of seeing his dog-pack hunt their fox in such a persevering 

 manner." 



Subscriptions for 1892-93 amounted to .£2594 19s. 

 £400 were allocated to the Covert and Poultry Fund, and 

 £145 to the Wire Fund. 



The season of 1893-94 was not a great one for sport, 

 although the record of kills was above the average, but 

 after the cub-hunting season scent seems to have been 

 uncertain, and not many really good runs are recorded, 



