A January Frost 



The Master gets himself into the war-paint in 



next to no time, and saddles and bridles are 



in immediate request, for an early start is 



necessary, as the second horseman has impressed 



upon all whom it may concern that it is very 



bad going on the roads. 



And it is bad going ; of that there is not the 



least doubt. Every now and then the horse 



will give a long slide, and the crown of the road 



is avoided and a way carefully picked where the 



road is the softest or the roughest. Buster's 



Heath is reached at last, and just as it is 



reached down comes the snow. It does not 



snow long ; and less than half an inch has fallen. 



The Master asks anxiously of those in whose 



judgment he places confidence if they think it 



is fit to hunt, and they reply that it is bad 



enough but they think it will just do ; and so a 



move is made, and as hounds draw the first 



covert the sun shines brightly on the snow with 



an effect that is dazzling. Suddenly comes a 



halloa at the far end of the covert ; three or four 



sharp notes on the horn, and hounds are well 



out of it. And by Jove ! they are going to run. 



107 



