246 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



since, his Grace declined an offer of two thousand guineas for 

 the pick of a single couple from his pack ; and Rockwood was 

 to be one of this couple. 



The woods on the northern side of the Castle were first 

 drawn. The turf in the home-park was soft and mossy ; but 

 the rides inside the woods were baked and hardened by the 

 east wind ; and the ground amid the undergrowth was dusty 

 and dry. Here and there, in a spot open to the sun but 

 sheltered from the wind, spring had asserted itself in well- 

 established verdure ; but in most places the woodlands were 

 stiU in winter garb. A fox found himself, and nearly ran 

 against the venerable Chambers (who for forty years or more 

 has ridden the huntsmen's second horse, till every gap and 

 gate has long been written on his memory). But hounds 

 could only just note their assent to his loud proclaiming signal; 

 and were quite unable to follow the clue with any vigour. Into 

 the gardens under the Castle windows they worked out the 

 track as they best could. After this there was now and 

 again a sudden wave of a stern or an excited snuffling among 

 the dead leaves. But the suspicion of their fox's track never 

 rose again to the certainty that could prompt the fling of a 

 tongue, and the pursuit died out — if ever it actually lived. 

 Meantime the little field had found excuse for galloping a mile 

 or two across the park ; then trotted and walked along garden 

 paths, past flower beds, grottos and " lovers' walks," till now 

 they climbed about a succession of wooded heights that led 

 westwards in the direction of Braunston village. At the 

 fm'ther extremity of these, hounds at length pushed a fox out, 

 ran him fast over half a dozen light ploughs with easy sub- 

 dividing fences, then tm-ned after him to re-enter the big woods 

 once more. Six p.m. and fourteen miles from home ! No ; it 

 couldn't be done. So taking off our hat to the Castle of Bel- 

 voir, in gratitude to the Duke who gives us our sport with so 

 liberal a hand, we puUed up till the last sound of horn and 

 hound had faded into the forest depths ; then turned home- 

 wards to wait another season. 



