1876—77.] THE TWO GREAT RUNS OF THE SEASON. 189 



the Orton Wood ten days previously — a mass of whicli each 

 coiiii)onent item, Avliether of sex rude or gentle, Avas bent on 

 playing its individual i)art activelj'- and vigorously should 

 occasion serve. A flat and unfortunate morning had damped 

 tlieir ardour no whit ; and not even when the pack had spent a 

 fruitless three-quarters of an hour in the famous gorse did they 

 give uj) hope. They knew they had the best and the lightest 

 of the woodlands before them ; that the da}' was of the dullest 

 and stillest, and so of the likeliest kind ; and that the after- 

 noon was yet in full j-outh and promise before them. So they 

 did their duty by the j^ortmantillos that in these days of com- 

 fort and good sense fill up the small of each belted second 

 horseman's back, sent home the morning mount with the 

 pleasing thought that he ought to " come Monday " (as the 

 oracle of the stable will term it), and lit the midday cigar with 

 very fair complacency. Neal's horn called the ladies out of 

 covert ; steeds were set moving, and elbows were squared for 

 the balance-jog that means covert-to-covert pace. But huic 

 holloa ! huic holloa ! Whence the scream that brings all up 

 witli a round turn? Awaj; it is at the top! By Jove, tlie 

 rascal has stolen off the moment he deems the coast is clear ! 

 Better for his sleep to-night had he waited but five minutes 

 more. Hounds are over the hill and on to his tracks ere 

 many seconds are passed ; and the scene that just before was 

 placid as a missionary meeting is now all bustle, hustle, and 

 excitement. Over the brow tear the hunt in a fever of eager- 

 ness, in a wliirlwind of excitement. No one means to be left 

 behind to-day ; and hounds suffer in consequence. The sun 

 shines out brightly for a time ; the scent is catchy, and flicker- 

 ing ; and a hundred men are pressing on tlie back of the pack 

 who only want a little room and a little time to settle. Hounds 

 catch the wild infection from the horsemen, and dash into the 

 scent witli a fling that again and again carries them over the 

 mark. Ten minutes of tliis undisciplined eagerness, and then 

 comes a three minutes' check. Now on again, fast enough to 

 make it necessary to canter and to jump, where on the good 



