1878—79.] BOOT AND SADDLE. 253 



and Major Betliime were also present. And now, without 

 enumerating more names, I must ask leave to get on at once to 

 the sport of the day. Right happy, varied, sport it Avas, as I 

 hope to show — albeit I have to skim its surface rapidly, and 

 catch its incident hut briefly. Tilton Wood, where they 

 met, is, as half the hunting world know, one of a series of 

 strong woods contained in the valley running from Tilton 

 village to Loddington — famous for stout foxes, and linked 

 with the history of hundreds of fine runs. Skeflfington Wood 

 is nearest neighbour to that of Tilton ; and tliither the hounds 

 were first brought — after being carried to the down-wind 

 side of the covert. Hounds were in full voice, and several 

 foxes in full flight almost immediately. Nine couple of hounds 

 left with the first fugitive, and pursuing him through Tugby 

 Wood, drove him straight into Sir Bache's countr3\ The rest 

 of the pack were hard at work in two or three other directions ; 

 but were soon brought on to the front by huntsman and whip, 

 whose attention had been thus distracted. So there was neces- 

 sarily some little delay ; the fox gained an advantage that was 

 of no slight use to him on an indifferent scenting morning ; and 

 the run was a hunting one where, with luck, it might have been 

 of a truly brilliant character. Its direction was all that could 

 be desired ; for it led almost straight to Glooston Wood, over a 

 line of beautiful open grass. Within a field or so of that 

 covert, it turned to Stonton Wood, and bent back to Nosely — 

 embracing the Stonton Brook in its course. The brook is not 

 a waterjump of great proportion; but its banks are rotten, and 

 from one cause or another horses seldom show a great liking 

 for it. At any rate it always reaps a harvest, when hounds 

 cross it ; and its bosom was not left unruffled to-day. Some 

 horses " scotched " at taking off", and slid to their doom ; 

 others were bogged on landing ; and others jumped just far 

 enough to get in. So more than one new pink left its virgin 

 brightness at its banks. After Nosel}-- there was little done. 

 The run lasted altogether about an hour and a half; of which 

 the first twenty minutes or so was pleasant, if not rapid, going. 



