274 THE NORTH STiVPFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE HOUNDS. 



There was a eoiisklerable gatliering with tliese honnds at Meeco House on 

 Friday, April 4th. It looked as if every one from far and near had made up his 

 mind to take part in wJiat was generally supposed to be the last day of the 

 season, and they were not disappointed in the sport that awaited them. Meece 

 Gorse was first visited, and hounds were hardly in before they were out on the 

 other side, and ere we could get round they were across a field or two, and point- 

 ing for the Heamies Farm, but, turning to the left, crossed the North Stafford- 

 shire Railway, and it looked as if we were going direct to Cold Norton Gorse. 

 We left it, however, a field away on our left, and, turning sharply to the right, 

 ran close to Norton Farm, and then took up the grassland between Shallowford 

 Gorse and Green Hill. The further we went the faster grew the pace, and 

 hounds simply rushed over Worston Farm on towards Whitgreave ; but, leaving 

 that village on our left, ran nearly to Bridgford. Then turning to the left, we 

 carried the line within a couple of fields of Creswell Gorse, and here scent failed 

 after as good a forty minutes as we have had during the season ; indeed, I heard 

 one enthusiastic sportsman declare it to be the best he had been in. Wire was 

 plentiful during the latter part of the run, and Mr. Davenport, son of a former 

 Master of the North Stafford, had his horse's fetlock badly cut with it. 



Just a few lines about another bye day we had on Monday, April 7th, at 

 Mucklestone. Trotting at once to Oakley, we drew the top end of the pool, and 

 a fox was halloaed away on the other side, but hounds made short work of him 

 after crossing a few fields. Our next draw was the osiers at Bearstone, where a 

 fox was soon afoot with the hounds close to his brush. He gained on them at the 

 first fence, and ran parallel to the Woore road, then crossed and took the private 

 road for Bellaport. Turning to the left, he crossed the railwaj"^, and ran along it 

 nearly to Norton, where he again crossed and took us up to Bellaport Old Hall ; 

 then, turning to the right into Bellaport Wood, he found safety. We then trotted 

 back to Winnington, and drew the wood adjoining. A fox was quickly out on 

 the other side, and made for Willoughbridge Farm, but squatting in a thick fence, 

 the hounds ran by him, and he quietly galloped back home. After a while hoimds 

 retraced their steps, and hit on his line through the next covert, and ran him over 

 the turf almost to Ashley Heath, when he turned to the left into the Forty 

 Acres. Passing quickly through this covert, we enjoyed a swinging gallop across 

 the big turf fields to Willoughbridge Park, and passing out at Willoughbridge 

 Wells, we kept on better terms with the hounds, as they proceeded more leisurely, 

 but not less surely, after their fox towards Knighton, which we left on our right, 

 and carried the line to the osiers at Bearstone, We were at fault for a short 

 time here, but luckily some one viewed the fox crossing the bridge at Bearstone 

 Mill, which put us right again, and hounds secured their quarry at Napley Heath, 

 a little further on. A good day this to finish the season. It was marred at the 

 outset, unfortunately, by a slight accident to the Duchess of Sutherland, which 

 all sincerely hope will have no serious consequences. The Master, the Duke of 

 Sutherland, carried the horn on both days, and rode to his hounds, and handled 

 them well throughout. F. S. 



The season ended on Tuesday, April 8tli, with a fair 

 day's sport from the Claddings, of which Boxall says — 



" Found on Craddock's Moss. Had a good gallop over the Coal-pit Banks. 

 He went away at a good pace through Hayes Wood, Bull Thorn, Sent Hays, to 



