306 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox 



trenched camp that might still be held by a couple of regiments 

 against ten impis of Zulus. Steep gTadients run down into the 

 lower country on all sides, save the Saddleback leading south- 

 wards to Somerby. Some three miles due east is Ranks- 

 boro' Hill, with a rough • midulating country intervening. 

 Beyond llanksboro', again, is a wealth of deep undrained 

 grass, varying from the level plain of the Vale of Catmose (better 

 known in i)arts as the Burley Flat), to the higher ridges of Over- 

 ton, Oakham Pasture, and IManton. 



After the clamber to the rira of the Punchbowl, there was 

 little interval before Goddard's shrill throat was trilling a 

 higher, cheerier note than ever nightingale aspired to. But 

 the first spasm of excitement led to nothing, for a shepherd 

 proudly told how he had " run him back to covert." The 

 demon, and the demon's dog, were posted exactly where Rey- 

 nard would have made his point (for Somerb}'' or for Ranks- 

 boro'). So it became necessary for the fluttered field to take 

 up their post again ; and from their vantage spot to mark a 

 big fox, with a mangey back, cross and recross the ride at their 

 feet. But it was not for long. They were quickly called away 

 — this time in a direction almost opposite to that of the run 

 already prompted and soon to be executed. A gO(Kl fox had to 

 play the role of a bad one. He skirted the brow of the hills ; 

 worked round, as well as continued interception would let him, 

 by the Roman Camp and the onlook of the Melton Steei)lechas& 

 Course, till after encountering many imaginary perils, and many 

 visible enemies, he struck his proper line and crossed the gullies 

 for Pickwell and the countr}' beyond. Past Pickwell Hall — with 

 crashing of timber that was far behind his ken — the Hunt bore 

 on, and set forward in earnest. A mile further, and it settled 

 honestly — heartily — at length desperately. I may dip for new 

 ink at the moment when there were two distinct lines calling 

 for attention — the one on plough and snatched up by a solitary 

 couple ; the other fainter, though on grass and, to all appear- 

 ance, certainly continuant. There was a vigour irresistible 

 about the former. The pack were tallied on to the head, and 



