1881-82.] BOXING DAY, ISSl. 407 



account, they were led quietly round forward — and up jumped 

 Reynard, a second time, from their very midst ! He had lain 

 down in a furrow to catch his wind ; and rose, apparently, 

 much refreshed. For, with his brush still well up, he beat 

 them for pace over half a dozen fields before getting back into 

 the outskirts of South Croxton Village. The standing still for 

 five minutes in the cold damp air had stiffened the tired limbs 

 of many a confidential — or, may be groggy — mount : and those 

 few final and unexpected fences were now quite discreditably 

 smashed. Swallowtail is seen to turn an " imperial " over a 

 most moderate piece of timber. Friends and relatives nearly 

 ride over him, in their anxiety to render assistance, while 

 "brown gelding Confidence, aged, perfect fencer, and fast," 

 walks about on the top of him ; and at last stands quite still 

 with owner between his forelegs — a tragic burlesque on the 

 pose of the Arab steed and his stricken master. " Poor fellow, 

 he must be badly hurt ! He can't get up ! " And sympathising 

 comrades hurry up, fiask in hand, and horror on their 

 •countenances — to find Swallowtail laughing and protesting 

 loudly, as he sits with his leather- clad legs extended and his 

 face close to Confidence's nose. " Hey ! somebody ! come 

 and take the great brute oft' me ! He's got his feet on my 

 coat-tails ! I'm sitting right in a pool of water ! " Sure 

 enough. Confidence had got him firmly pinned down by both 

 tails — and, remembering, the many visitations of long and 

 ruthless spurs, apparently meant to keep him there. 



Meanwhile, the bristling pack had chivvied their fox up to 

 the village ; and run into him as he reached a cottage garden. 



With heai-tfelt sorrow has the news of Lord Helmsley's 

 sad death been received by the many who knew, and hunted 

 with, him in Leicestershire. To a charm of manner and a 

 kindliness of disposition seldom seen, he united a keen love of 

 a pursuit that in itself is genial and unselfish. To know him 

 was to feel drawn towards him ; and his friendship was as 



