420 THE CREAM OF LEICESTERSHIRE. [Season 



who had hitherto succeeded in keepmg a hold upon thein were 

 entangled in the plough and when tlie fog Avas at its thickest. 

 Now the line of chase would appear to have travelled awhile 

 towards Six Hills, before bending once more to the left above 

 Old Dalby — whose village and wood nestle in the westernmost 

 corner of the Yale of Belvoir. For, as the discomfited stragglers 

 in pursuit worked their way forward, by gap, gate, and road to 

 Old Dalby, they came upon one grinning rustic after another 

 to welcome them gleefully with the same news : " The dogs is 

 gone for Dalby \Yood this twenty minutes — and never a hunter 

 nigh 'em. Never see sucli a tiling i' my loife ! They was a 

 going it. They'll be at Holwell Mouth by now!" — and all this 

 emphasised with chuckle and guffaw that under the nuserable 

 circumstances were perfectly maddening. Yes, hounds had 

 dipped into the steep narrow valley, and risen the hillside again 

 through Dalby Wood — here to be met by Mr. Brewster and 

 some other rider, who had kept along the upper road. By 

 AVartnaby to Holwell Mouth these two were able to accompany 

 them without difficulty, the line for the most part taking the 

 light plough alongside the road. And at Holwell Mouth this 

 great and curious run ended by a gallant fox getting to ground 

 in a rabbit-buiTow. It was another hour before the field got 

 together again ; and it will be many a day before they wipe out 

 the memory of this riderless run. 



From AVidmerpool Hall to Holwell ]\Iouth is a full six-mile 

 point ; and, as hounds went, the ground covered must have 

 been at least ten miles — while pace and scent are spoken for by 

 the time, distance, and the fact of hounds running thus alone 

 over both grass and plough. 



To turn for the moment to a pleasanter theme, and passing 

 over the unhappy accident of chopping a fox in Grimston 

 Gorse. Next to Shoby Scoles is a little spinney, in a valley 

 diflticult to command, either by Avliip, huntsman, or jealous 

 starter. A fox had stolen away ; and it required two grass 

 fields for hounds to take to the scent in earnest. Then, while 

 they made up their minds to run, we had to make up ours 



