374 THE CREAM OF LEICESTEESHIEE. [Season 



SO many foxes about Gaddesby, tbat it appeared only a matter 

 of which sj)inney it should be wherein to kill one. They made 

 the death of one, and sought another for sport. Him they 

 found on the slope through which they had run in the first 

 early morn — and he broke very like a bold old fox. Not the 

 worst moment in life is seeing hounds struggle and fight their 

 way out to the scream. How keen are those romided ears ! 

 what an instinct must ever guide them to the exact point of 

 exit ; what fierce, brave disregard of pain and obstacle must hy 

 each individual be exercised that he may be in time to take his 

 jiart. To watch this at the end of a summer's hm-tful in- 

 activit}' is to feel like a fish throAvn back into water — after 

 a prolonged gasp on the bank. 



Quornites know well the valley tlu'ough which runs the Gad- 

 desby brook — and they like it best when well momited. The 

 fences gi'ow so lusty and stout that only odd holes and corners 

 are fit to be approached with any confidence, even then. Happy 

 is he who, or whose friend, knows the gates and bridle paths. 

 Just now, too, when the hedges are gaudy and thick as the 

 gi'ass, and the rank pasturage grows up and over their ditches, 

 he is the artist who can skirt (not slcim) a country quickest. A 

 ditch towards him he may take under compulsion — though he 

 will flutter gail}' over the leafv screen protecting its little pitfall 

 bej'ond. He may even be on a timber jumper ; and take valour 

 from beneath his saddle, when a stile tempts. But the rule 

 now is Gates. Where there are no gates. Providence — as far 

 as your trust dares take advantage. But horses are very sage 

 at saving themselves, and consequently you. They care little 

 for the coward on their back ; but for their own convenience 

 they ■\^-on't fiill if they can help it. An easier country lies over 

 the road towards Piearsb}'. Hounds then divided suddenly ; 

 but were reunited on a hardrunning line that led within a few 

 fields of Queniborough. Now they .swung back to the left ; 

 and, over the brook meadows, were scarcely to be kept in sight 

 — while black bullfinches frowned and palisaded openings 

 laughed the timid to scorn. The jmce, too, Avas crushing 



