362 THE CPvEAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



But this by the way — only suggested by bad weather, and by 

 the thought of possible land-trespass-enactments in the future 

 of this sad century. Of course hounds were at the meet, and 

 it was meant they should hunt " Mr. Burbage's Covert " — so 

 trot back, Meltonians, and be thankful. Two foxes away for 

 the Quorn country — time, somewhere about 2.15. One bore 

 right, the other left ; and hounds could not quite stail upon 

 either. In fact, from various information they meandered 

 between the two. Gillard kept his temper, and his head, 

 under all provocation, and was rewarded by one of the two 

 foxes being headed across him, enabling him to make a fair 

 start after all. Disappointment was at once turned to delight 

 as the pack broke across the scent and flung themselves breast- 

 high along it. This fox had been headed and holloaed at, but 

 he had left his mark behind, and over the grass to Burton 

 Lazars they spun along charmingly. (I had forgotten to note 

 that the snow lay but sparsely anywhere here, though we had 

 tramped through many a mile of white-sheeting to reach suc!i 

 a comforting prospect.) Instead of snow there was a sea ox 

 mud and water. Witness that lane above Captain Ashton's 

 new house. But we look for good grass and firm roads here 

 next year, please. Yet over plough and du't the scent held 

 good, and we got on to better ground soon. What better 

 than the Gi-eat Dalby lordship ? And so with stirring fun we 

 came to Gartree Hill — five-and-thirty minutes from the first 

 practical note outside covert. But not half done with the 

 Quorn country yet. The whip holloaed his fox away for 

 Burton, and in the next fifteen minutes through the dec;p 

 ground onl}- the hounds were in it. A check in the Sandy 

 Lane, near Melton, and afterwards a good quick hunt leftward 

 and back by Great Dalby, nearly to Ashby Pastures, and 

 through Thorpe Trussels. One hour and twenty-five minutes 

 up to this : all beautiful hound work : huntsman hard and 

 keen and quiet : ground deep as darkness, scent first-rate, and 

 grief profound and harmless — this is the epitome. Two 

 foxes ahead now, and little doubt of a recent change. This 



