1878—79.] THE BELVOIll AT HOME AND ABROAD. 261 



of cordials in view of immersions ? The headed fox led over 

 plough for ten minutes, then to ground. And from the holloa 

 forward on a second one notlimg accrued. 



On the way to Brentingby Spinney a farmer told of an old 

 fox curled up where he could keep his eye on the fowls of the 

 homestead. " Tally ho-back " gave the information that he 

 had been disturbed, and had run his head against the whip at 

 the Melton corner ; and they Avho galloped to the first scream 

 had just time to pull up to the last syllable, when a gay brave 

 customer fiung himself over the stubble across their front. 

 Hounds were at him before he cleared the field; and skimmed 

 the four first fiendish arables at a speed that defied approach. 

 Then they hit the grass ; a hedge-cutter had hindered the fox ; 

 and he was in sight as they cut a corner and swung down 

 towards Freeh v Village. The field turned quick over the side 

 fence to their right. Brentingby Spinney, from which they had 

 started, is but a little place, and all were there or near. A 

 small plantation lay beside the bottom ; and the pack drove 

 through it, before bearing still more to the right, over the 

 strong-fenced nullah. Now they had crossed it, and struck up 

 the field beyond Avith the lightning quickness of the Belvoii'— 

 and the field were checked. The fence was guarded by an 

 extra post-and-rail ; and the watercourse stretched deep and 

 wide beyond. But there was no help or alternative. Mr. 

 Baldock drove at it in one spot. Sir Beaumont Dixie in another. 

 No fall, but a scramble and gallant recovery in either instance ; 

 two men down elsewhere — and the rest waited till a breach was 

 efiected in the rampart. The pack were nearly a field ahead, 

 and kept it. They rose the hill, and the tail hounds were the 

 beacons over the brow. Mr. Ernest Chaplin had thro^vn an 

 eye forward, and caught a view, as Eeynard had dijiped down 

 to the copse in the bottom ; so had ridden inside the difficulty, 

 and now was leading pursuit. A locked gate hindered a trio 

 dropping from tlie clouds. The others dipped under a tree, 

 and drove and thrust after the flying pack. Two dense black 

 bulfinches, which w^eight and pace alone could pierce ; and next 



