198 THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



snow, stopping hunting altogether for thirty-one days 

 throughout the season. 



The following are the best runs recorded in Dickins's 

 diary : — 



" November \Uh, 1894. Sherratt's Wood. — Found a good fox in Slienatt's 

 Wood. Kan him very fast by Draycot Gorse and Hose Wood, away by Fulford 

 and Cross Gate, and on by Spot Gorse and Hilderstone, on to Peat's Hill Wood 

 to ground. A capital forty minutes. Went back to Draycot, but did not find 

 again. 



''December 12th, 1894. Moddershall Mill. — Found in Moddershall Oaks, and 

 ran to ground in covert. Found another on Stallington Heath. Ean to Black 

 Lake, and away to Newstead Wood and Barlaston, and killed at Hartwell Hall. 

 Time, one hour and fifty minutes. Found again in Kibblestone Gorse, and ran 

 I'ings till dark. 



'^December 19</j, 1894. Eilderstone Hall. — Drew Hilderstone, but did not 

 find, but found a good fox in Brindley's Wood. Ran down to Leigh Station, to 

 the left away to New Close Sprink, through Hose Wood, over by Hilderstone 

 Hall, and away to Peats Hill Wood and all down Cotwalton Drumble to the 

 Hayes, and killed at Kibblestone. A capital hour and twenty minutes all up 

 wind. Hounds had the best of horses all through. 



"December 22nd, 1894. Blachbroolc. — Went to Willoughbridge to draw. 

 Found in the Bogs, but did no good. Went to Bromley, but did not find. Found 

 a brace in Clayholders, and ran over by Chorlton to the Quarries to ground. Did 

 not draw again. The day of the (jreat gale.'^ 



The present writer has referred to his own diary of this 

 <late, and finds it recorded as a very stormy day and most 

 destructive to telegraph posts and wires. 



" December 28th, 1894. Great Bridgford Station. — Found in Cresswell 

 ■Gorse. Ran near Yarlet Hill and down to Aston to ground. Found another in 

 8hallowford Gorse, and ran by Pirehill to Aston, to ground in a drain. Drew 

 Cold Norton Gorse, but did not find, but found in Yarnfield Osiers. Ran a ring 

 lound Darlaston and back to Yarnfield, and away by Swynnerton, to ground in 

 Beech Clifte." 



A long frost set in after this, which lasted right 

 through January and February, with the result that 

 hounds were only out once for hunting during those two 

 months, and then Dickins puts on record that it was " not 

 lit to ride," though they contrived to kill two foxes. 



''March \9>th, 1895. Doddimjton. — Found in Chapel Wood. Ran a ring and 

 killed. Found another in Shaw's Rough. Ran fast by Bridgemere and Chapel 

 Wood, to ground at Walgherton. Found another at Three Brooks. Ran by 

 Finson's Hay and Woore to Pipe Gate and Aston Cliff, and lost him. Found 

 another in Admiral's Gorso. Ran by Canridden to Bellaport and lost him. 



