118 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



out of the liunt. Both Custance and Capt. Smith however, 

 have uj)set the long odds too often to leave a chance thrown 

 away : so, clinging close to the hounds, the}' poj^i^ed over into 

 the plough, jumped the bottom heloAv the covert, and galloped 

 up by its side with the pack, Firr was well with them to note 

 another instance of how seldom foxes care to halt in their 

 course for the small artificial coverts of this countr}', and was 

 there to turn with them when the line suddenl}- diverged to 

 the right in passing the tempting thicket. Not so, however, 

 the bulk of the good men and true in his wake, aU equally 

 anxious to be with hounds when running as now. They had 

 made their certainty to the left, while fate and improbability 

 chose this sudden turn to the right. Three neat fences, quick 

 and sharp ; then a double gate, with an impracticable fence on 

 either side, and Custance with a maimed arm, to fumble it 

 open ; next a locked gate and a liigh-grown thorn that took a 

 second look and hounds nmning faster than common to make 

 it negotiable. Not even these brought it within the scope (or 

 experience) of the hmitsman's mare — good though she soon 

 proved herself — and the usual result of such shortcoming 

 followed. Into the road and out again, midway between Great 

 Dalby and Gartree Hill, brought an uphill plough as a prej^ara- 

 tion for the strong country in front — and not a moment to 

 breathe as they entered upon it. Hounds were ruiming their 

 best, and the trio had to gallop their hardest to keep them in 

 sight. Ugh ! what a bullfinch ! It seemed not to loose its 

 hold till they were strides into the next field. Such a scent 

 was there that the pack were able to drive a flock of sheep 

 before them — a}-, and turn as they went — Avithout checking a 

 moment, as Firr reappeared ready to help them. So on for a 

 couple of miles, good grass and good fences, till, bearing still 

 to the right, their fox made his point at the drain under the 

 Melton and Gartree road, where he had found safety a fort- 

 night before. To-day, though, the refuge was closed against 

 him, and he had to hold on — the body of unlucky ones now 

 joining in pursuit ; and, with only a field to the good, and 



