1881—82.] LIFE AND DEATH. 427 



southward towards the valley of the Wreake — and this was to 

 be the scene to-day. The field obeyed orders, and lined the 

 lower ride ; that Reynard, if at home, might be encom-aged to 

 trip it in the right direction. "Rather sharp upon your covert," 

 was the Master's remark — for hounds had touched it twice on 

 the Monday previous, bringing with them the noise and clatter 

 of the chase from the spinney adjacent. " Not if they find," 

 was the owner's prophetic answer. But there was no sound 

 3'et, and hounds had been ten minutes in covert. Huie holloa ! 

 Huic holloa! George is screaming lustily at the top! Now 

 we are off. 12.55. Button your coat and pray for a scent. 

 The ground is wet, the air is keen, and the bitches are away 

 at his brush. Up the middle ride and out beyond, to find the 

 pack has a happy hedgerow between it and the rushing horse- 

 men. But, crossing the lane, the latter have a moment's 

 opportunity, of which consideration for neither Master nor 

 their own sport will hinder their availment. Into them, over 

 them ! "When ivill you learn, good sir, to ride after a pack, 

 not among it — still less through it ? You get envied by no one, 

 praised of none, hated by the huntsman, and abused by a 

 hundred suffering neighbours. This is not personal ; for it is 

 not meant to apply to a singular instance, but to a i^ractice 

 only too prevalent and pronounced, hateful and selfish. But 

 the ladies are not to be knocked off their heads just now. They 

 fling to the front with a recklessness that is one of the best 

 attributes of a foxhound ; and drive over three fields of plough 

 in a Avay that tells at once of the scent before them. Now the}' 

 are over the bottom, and free for the moment from further 

 interrujition. For many moments, too. AVe know it well — 

 that Cossington Bottom, winding wickedly down the valley, 

 half way 'twixt the coverts of Walton and Thrussington. Deep 

 banked and strong fenced, its waters have cut out a gulf that 

 only narrows here and there to jumjiing dimensions. No 

 chance of crossing it where hounds have done — and men sheer 

 hurriedly off to tlie right to seek a more promising spot. 

 *' That will do, where the bushes are low. I know the place 



