The Hunting Year 



rate, of that prosperity which was once attendant 

 on English agriculture. 



And as we look we see, behind the tall hedge 

 half a mile off, an occasional glimpse of scarlet, 

 and we sharpen our pace in order to meet our 

 friend the huntsman at the corner of the wood 

 just as the distant village clock strikes five. There 

 are only half a dozen of us present. The hunts- 

 man, his two whippers-in, a second horseman, 

 our farmer friend and ourselves make up the tale. 

 Other two second horsemen have been sent 

 round to the far side of the wood ; a keen hunt- 

 ing man who has not missed a day's hunting 

 for twenty seasons and who lives at the other 

 side of the country, has taken his accustomed 

 place at another distant corner. It is one of 

 his peculiarities that he is always with hounds 

 and that he never rides an unnecessary yard. 

 Not likely, then, that he would ride round the 

 wood for the purpose of riding back again ; and 

 you can tell to a yard where he is the moment 

 the huntsman, having disposed of his available 

 forces, moves off to draw. 



One great charm about these early cub-hunt- 

 28 



