12 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



could do little more than ride after him ; and by the time 

 the pack were together Oaddeshy village was reached. Rey- 

 nard was seen in the shrubberies round Mr. Cheney's house, 

 but got the better of his pursuers by some means ; no 

 more could be made of him, and he escaped, after upwards 

 of an hour and a half's almost uninterrupted running. From 

 the farthest points — viz., AValton Thorns to Gaddesby — 

 the distance was but little over six miles as the crow flies ; but 

 a great amount of ground was covered. The latter part of the 

 run was over a beautiful grass countr}- ; the jumping was safe 

 and big ; the keen, steady hunting of the musical ladies was 

 beyond all praise ; and, had it not been for the unfortunate 

 intervention of the river, this would have been entitled a verj' 

 fine hunting run. The kill that was just missed would have 

 made it undoubtedly so, for the hounds thoroughly deserved 

 their fox ; and, though it may be playing into tlie hands of 

 Mr. Freeman to sa}' it, we might borrow from the Times of to- 

 day and quote the words of the French king who gave it as his 

 opinion that the smell of a dead enemy is always sweet. It 

 may be mentioned that the horses of huntsman and whips 

 gave obvious proof that one year's good corn will not suflice 

 to take the place of dealer's condition ; but time, the root of 

 all training, will easily correct this, and Mr. Coupland him- 

 self was throughout ever ready and able to lend a hand at a 

 difficultv. 



FINE BUX WITH THE PYTCHLEY FROM 

 NORTH KILWORTH. 



Wednesday, February 8tli, assembled a more fashionable 

 host to arraj' themselves at North Kilworth than have been 

 seen with the Pytchley this year. For a wonder, or rather as. 

 a pleasant surprise, Mr. Craven did not march otf at 10.45 

 sharp, but gave his followers time not onl}' to assemble, but 



