1873—74.] A LEICESTERSHIRE BURST. 135 



Avere still confident of a run, sanguine in the present fortune of 

 the (Juorn. Let me hriefly describe the covert. A low-lying 

 sheltered brake of artificial thorn, so thickly laid that hounds 

 can scarcely make way through it, situated under the frowning 

 i:)rotection of the Little Dalby and Burrough Hills. On one 

 side a dreaded unprofitable source of climbing, on three others 

 a si)orting country of endless and amiable variety. 



It was a wiry artful-looking fox that broke away while 

 hounds were giving tongue fiercely after a friend whom he had 

 travelled miles that morning to visit (for a shepherd witnessed 

 his coming, and now his going). Everybody saAV him break, 

 but only one was rash enough to holloa ; and the single scream 

 brought Reynard round in his tracks. But the turn gave him 

 a full view of the scarlet array he had doubtless learnt to dread ; 

 for in a moment he Avas off again, and the field Avere pressing 

 and cramming through the gateway for a start. 



Three hounds are not enough for a run, but three hounds 

 are enough to set a great many people galloping. Free pro- 

 testation stopped them, lioAvever, in this instance; and Custance 

 spurred forward to check the solitary hounds. Firr's voice and 

 horn could only bring forth another three couple, Avhile the 

 little grey Reynard Avas making tAvo minutes to the good. But 

 these fcAV Avould not be denied. They dashed off with an 

 impetus that meant nothing else than "catch us if you can," 

 and that left the body of the pack a quarter of a mile behind, 

 AA'hile half the run Avas covered. A narroAV lane cramped the 

 swelling body of pursuers for some furlongs, as they strove and 

 squeezed after these flying couples in front ; but, once issued 

 from this, they spread out over a grass pasture as if charging 

 Burrough Hill in skirmishing order. A deep cross-cut falloAv 

 Avidened and lengthened them still further as the fractional 

 pack disappeared in the plantation clothing the Avestern slope 

 of Burrough Hill. And noAv came the question — a question, too, 

 requiring immediate ansAver and immediate action — whether to 

 climb the eminence or to skirt its base. " No fox can face 

 such a wind," reasoned the unhappy majority, including master 



