312 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [SEASO>r 



alone visible above tlie level of the farther bank. Galloping- 

 hard into the gulf rode one, Avhose estimate of Leicestershire 

 could only have been that which is shared by three-fourths of 

 the outer world — viz., that it is purely and simply a "flying 

 country." The awakening to his error Avas a rude, and only 

 by happy accident failed to be a terrible one. Above the level 

 of the bank only the rider's form was at that moment to be 

 seen. The next instant the pair had so utterly reversed posi- 

 tion, that only tlie horse's four gyrating hoofs flashed above the 

 intervening green- sward. A grinding splash was heard ; spray 

 flew up into the air, and wc rode back to pick up the corpse. 

 But, thougii shaken and startled — not nearly so much 

 frightened as lookers on — the sportsman was picking himself 

 out of the shallows, preparing to go onwards — and, in future, 

 to ride slow at stifl' timber out of a hole. 



But the pack were now together, the field were all handy, the 

 fox had gained but little law, and a run was established. 

 Under Barkby-Thorpe Spinney there was a quaiier-minute's 

 hesitation ; afterwards scarcely a second's, until the chase was 

 over. Freeing themselves from the last of the three ploughed 

 fields in their course, the pack hurried gaily on to Barkby- 

 Tliorpe A'illage, took a quick turn through some tiny plantation 

 there, and flew the wall of Mr. Brooks' Park. Their fox must 

 have waited for them somewhere about this point ; for, well as 

 they had been running already, they now stretched themselves 

 nearer the ground than the}^ could ever do before — and the 

 next seventeen minutes constituted and defined a true Elysium. 

 So far there had been time to talk, to speculate, and to trifle, 

 as we went. Now it was an earnest prolonged eftbrt to keep 

 near hounds. They swept past the door of Barkby Hall, 

 glanced across the Park, the narrow iron outlets from which 

 Avere a sad hindrance to many, who had been enticed through 

 the entrance gates. Captain Goodchild made his way out 

 earliest. But hounds were already a field away, for Queniboro', 

 as the leading men ducked under a tree to gallop the bullfinch 



