30 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



before the stiffness had left his limbs he should again be called 

 upon to defend his life. The hard-fought struggle had visibly 

 affected the grand old gladiator. There was none of the 

 smooth bright freshness that had marked his furry robes ; nor 

 did he swing his brush with the same gay swagger as before. 

 His coat was rough and shaggy, and the white tag that he had 

 held out so proudly to the Royal gaze was now dragging in the 

 dust. Yet did he not shrink from his task, but battled bravely 

 as ever, and for the third time victoriously. One boon only 

 did he ask, and that was a little time. So, instead of breaking 

 at once boldly over the road, he took advantage of the want of 

 scent in covert to collect himself. From some unexplained 

 cause, the hounds were ahnost helpless in covert ; and had not 

 Reynard made a personal reconnaissance under the eyes of the 

 field, the occasional solitary and unconfirmed note that woke 

 the stillness might have passed for the cry of juvenihty over 

 forbidden fi'uit. At last he puUed himself together for a start, 

 and left his sanctuary for the perils of the open country. 

 Breaking parallel to the road whereon the field were waiting, 

 he just touched the cross road from Segrave, took a wide ckcle 

 to the left, and, once having the lead in his hand, played his 

 cards much as before. Twice previously had he baffled his 

 pursuers by straight going over the grass, and now he meant 

 to adopt the same open com'se of conduct ; so, choosing the 

 meadows where the tui'f was springmg fresh and sweet from 

 the raindrops of yesterday, he left the plebeian plough behind, 

 and, avoiding Sileby Village, headed straight for the Wreake. 

 The hounds wanted no assistance from the huntsman, turning 

 quickly and independently as they went on. Ratcliffe-on-the- 

 Wreake was reached, and still he held on for the river, which 

 could now be seen glistening below. " Thank goodness ! " (or 

 words to that effect) " there's a bridge this time," shouted Mr, 

 Chapman, as the pack dipped mto the valley, and the leading 

 lot made for what was apparently a safe-conduct over. But, 

 alas ! what held out so pleasant a promise in the distance, was 

 but a snare ; and the arch that appeared to span the river 



