Season- 1871—72.] A CLINKER WITH MR. TAILBY. 35 



the}' came. Tims, there were parties formed above the 

 village of Owston, in the middle ride, below and above the 

 wood and in the road dividing it, and in many other places, 

 besides large patrols of cavalry up and down each side. The 

 hounds had not a meet at all, but immediately on their arrival 

 were thrown into the wood. One of the famous old foxes — 

 that have made men fear to be awa}'' when Owston is to be 

 drawn, in spite of its slush}'' rides and many weary penances 

 and disappointments — was awaiting them in the part known as 

 the Little Wood. Taking them one turn through the length 

 of both woods to clear his pipes, he brought them back to his 

 starting point, and broke for Launde — the Beaux-Brummels of 

 the two hunts issuing forth besmeared from head to foot, and 

 vowing that henceforth brown cords and mahoganies should be 

 their livery for the woodlands. Heading towards Launde 

 Wood, he threatened his followers with a morning in the big 

 woods ; but, scorning the inviting shelter, he determined on 

 doing honour to the phalanx of horsemen that looked to him 

 to test tlieir mettle, turned his head from the temptation, and 

 held bravely on for the open. Bound Withcote Hall they 

 galloped without a fence to cross, crushing over the unjump- 

 able bottoms by the narrow bridges, struggling through a 

 couple of sticky ploughs (alone enough to stretch the girths of 

 horses after the fortnight of frost and idleness) ; and there 

 was no real settling down to work till Lady Wood was 

 reached. A momentary hesitation, to make sure of his good 

 intentions, and that he had left this too uncared for, ere, 

 without having actually checked for an instant, the hounds 

 took in the situation and commenced business in earnest. 

 Then, starting off with the sudden unanimity of a covey from 

 the stubble, the}^ buckled to their task with a determined 

 energ}' that quickl}' searched out the quality of man and horse. 

 But the best of blood and the best of pluck were there in pro- 

 fusion ; the picked men of three Hunts started on even terms ; 

 and where on ordinary occasions there might have been half a 

 dozen to face a rasper, there were now fifty to race for it. 



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