1873—74.] THE QUORX HUNT TAKES THE WATER. 137 



Gaunt, and into the spinney above Lowesb)-. Here was a first, 

 but only momentary, check, succeeded by another five minutes 

 back with the wind to Twyford village. 



His nomade blood should have made hhn proud to die here, 

 where the King of the Gipsies lies buried ; but, preferring 

 victory even to this Westminster Abbey, he brought all liis 

 craft into play to aid his escape. Though seen by many people 

 as he walked — rather than ran— along the brookside, the 

 strongest lungs screamed the signal in vain, in a tempest that 

 would have laughed at the voice of a sixty-eight pounder. So 

 he was lost — soon, may we hope, to be found again, animated 

 witli a like bold policy as to-day ! 



THE QUOEX HUXT TAKES THE WATER. 



Ox Monday, February 16th, the Quorn had a run with a 

 good finish, and some curious incidents, both of flood and 

 field. In fact, water in one shape or another was the prevail- 

 ing element of the day. The ride to Willoughby was through 

 a soaking downpour, and so was the first pm'suit from the 

 gorse thereat — a chase that had little or nothing to recommend 

 it. The line by Ellar's Gorse to Thrussington Covert is 

 usually pleasant enough ; but that a succession of plough and 

 blind fences can be found on the route by an evilly-disposed 

 fox was too fully exemplified. The ground, too, was rotten to 

 a degi-ee after the late frost ; and there was pufting and panting 

 sore, though the pace was a crawl. 



But the gallop to which I have alluded took its start from 

 Grimston Gorse, whence many a good run has this year dated. 

 The two or three fields that intervene between this covert and 

 Old Dalby Wood were the scene of a great rush for a start, 

 after which there was a five minutes' collapse, caused b}- the 

 wily one having doubled back. But this was only his ruse for 

 getting well awa}' beyond. Timely information brought Firr 

 and Co. upon his track. 



