218 THE XORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



CHAPTER XV. 



SEASON OF 1897-98 AN OPEN ONE — GOOD SPORT IN 

 DECEMBEP. — " G. F. U." IN " COUNTRY SPORT " ON THE 

 NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HUNT — PRESENTATION OF POR- 

 TRAIT TO M.F.H. 



The season of 1897-98 opened well with some good days, 

 and a o;ood record of kills amongst the cubs. Huntino; 

 was only stopped by frost for six days throughout the 

 season. The following extracts are from Boxall's diary : — ■ 



" November 3rd, 1897. Bird-in-Hand. — Foimd in Bramley Wood. Houuds 

 ran fast througli the gorse, leaving Sherratt's Wood on the left, to Whitley Brook, 

 by Milwich andjFradswell Hall, up to the New Gorse (Sandon). Here it became 

 slow hunting ; gave him up about a mile beyond Gayton Church. Trotted back 

 to Sherratt's Wood, found, and went away at once to Birchwood Park, where 

 liounds got divided. Several foxes were soon knocking about. We ran with one 

 lot back through Sherratt's Wood, and ran him to ground near Morrilow Ileatli. 

 The other lot went over to Brindley's Wood, where they were stopped. A very 

 raw, cold day ; hounds could run well up wind. Had a very useful day's sport. 



" November Ibth, 1897. Nor ton-in- Hales. — Found in Betton Moss. Ran 

 over to Brownhills. The fox went over the canal ; did not hunt him. Drew a 

 small covert and Gollmg's Piough blank. Found in Adderley Gorse. Had to 

 leave him ; would not go away. Found in Buerton Gorse. Hunted slowly 

 towards Bellaport. Here there was a brace of foxes soon afoot ; they both went 

 away together. Hounds settled to one. and went at a good pace by Bellaport Hall 

 and Kellock's Gorse, and killed him near Adderley Gorse. This was fast 

 throughout ;^hounds never checked from find to finish. Very sharp, cold morn- 

 ing ; four degi-ees of frost. No scent in covert or down wind, but ran fast up wind 

 from Bellaport to Adderley Gorse. His Grace hunted the hounds. 



" November 20th. Whitmore Station. — Drew the Common blank. Found in 

 Whitmore Wood. Ran fast back over the Common by the Rectory to Oxhay 

 Wood, Keelc ; through it to Butterton village, Shut Lane Head ; then over by 

 Acton, leaving Swynnerton Old Park on the left, to Chorlton Moss, back over the 

 London and North- Western line, and ran him to ground on Whitmore Common. 

 Found in Hayes Sprink. Ran fast through lloldershaw Wood, where a brace 

 went away. Hunted one fast nearly to Madeley ; then swung round to the left 

 by Keele Grange, up to the village, through Dun's Wood to Holdershaw Wood, 

 through it to Spring Pool Wood, and beat us. A very hot day ; a useful scent in 



