336 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Seasox 



mucld}" cliojis of the Channel. Last year hounds took part of 

 this line more than once — running towards John o' Gaunt, and 

 over the Twyford Brook to gi'ound near Burrough Village. 

 Now the}' must have travelled the same path, and carried it a 

 long way farther — and all at a flying pace. At the IJurrough 

 and Marfield lane, after a two-mile gallop into the teeth of the 

 wind, a carter said the pack had passed hy several minutes 

 since. "Where last year's fox got to ground, a yokel told them 

 triump]iantly that *' the hounds Avas miles ahead, and never a 

 one of yer with 'em." At Burrougli-on-the Hill, it was learned 

 that fox and hounds had passed along the valley close under 

 tlie village, and had then home round for Somerhy. In fact, 

 Avhile men under some inexplicahle illusion had heen tearing 

 up the wind, the chase had gradually hent down it, and left 

 them on an outer circle. Two sportsmen of experience, who 

 liave both stood the buffet of wind and weather on distant seas, 

 alone steered below the wind, and at length cut across tlie 

 line somewhere near Somerby, the pack having then been 

 running some five-and-forty minutes from the start. The one 

 found a single hound with a lead of half a field, two couple 

 more in hot pursuit, and the rest just striking ofi* at a tangent 

 on a fresh line ; and he went on with the former. The other 

 was so baffled by the aspect of aifairs — hounds branching off 

 in two distinctly different directions — that feeling himself 

 altogether unable to decide upon which could be the right line, 

 lie determined on a middle course of action, and remained 

 where he was. The two couple and a half, meanwhile, sped 

 across to complete the circle to Owston Wood ; while the body 

 of the pack got to Knossington, and there to difficulties. 



Here my story ends ; and I hope it may be many a day 

 before I have to write such another. It is worthy of remark 

 that the Cottesmore hounds have only twice this season met 

 with scent enough to really run. On both these occasions 

 they have had all the fun to themselves ! 



