1881-82.] BOXING DAY, 1881. 405 



hounds ; but, having once got a little way in front of them, 

 imagined himself safe, and hid up. 



The second one, who gave them so sporting a run of an hour 

 or more, was found m the little wooded dell known as Carr 

 Bridge Spinney (between Baggrave and Lowesby). The bridge 

 in question spans a stream scarcely a dozen feet wide, the fox 

 crossed it immediately, just beyond the spinney ; and the most 

 ignominious fiasco at once succeeded. There was nothing but 

 a plain flat jump at one place, only a weak post and rail on the 

 landing side at another. But the brook wound along a grass 

 hollow — plain to be seen, with its deep rotten banks, long 

 before it was approached. Horses were still in cold blood — 

 and, in short, they one and all declined firmly to have anj'thing 

 to do with cold water. It was as wise as it was discreet of the 

 many men who at once started off right or left in search of a 

 bridge : for those who remained behind, and essayed to follow 

 hounds, only made up a tableau that was positively humiliating. 

 One after another rode desperately at the insignificant water 

 jump, 



\\ orshipping the watery idol, dreamiog hopes 

 Delicious to the soul, but fleeting vaiu ; 



and one after another had to retire bafiied or to slide or 

 swerve into the muddy stream. Such whacking, spumng, 

 objurgating, such plaintive pleading, and such broad round 

 oaths. " Never refused before in his life ! " " Oh, you fiend, 

 why win you never jump water ? " " For Heaven's sake, old 

 friend, give me a lead, do ! ! " Hounds clean out of sight, and 

 we may be here till morning. Oh, that I had an ox goad, or a 

 sword — or else a better temper ! A whole Leicestershire field 

 pounded by 12 feet of water ! At length some one lands well 

 on the farther rail ; and the example animates the horse of one 

 other to surmomit the open jump, breaking the bank both in 

 taking off and landing (who are the successful ones, it is 

 impossible to note in the confusion *). Even this is not enough 



* Mr. Brooks, jun., of Whatton, it afterwards transpired, was the first to break 

 the spell. 



