The Hunting Year 



A gate with a chain round it, and a locked chain 



at that, necessitates the jump which everyone 



swore they would avoid. It is only a low rail 



after all, and it is negotiated safely. Then the 



sun is in the eyes of gallant sportsmen, and 



what with the sun and what with the snow it is 



not very easy to see where one is going. But 



hounds run on and must be followed somehow, 



and after twenty bright minutes they roll their 



fox over in the open, and the few who have 



chanced the weather talk of their luck, and 



congratulate themselves that there have been 



no casualties. 



A little breathing time is given as the snow 



is melting fast in the midday sun, and then a 



move is made to another covert. But even as 



the move is made the weather-wise are talking 



about a harder frost than ever, and some of the 



prudent ones go home as soon as they see the 



second fox found. There is again a good 



scent, and in the fields there is not much fault 



to find with the going ; on the north side of the 



fences it is a little hard here and there, but 



there is really nothing much to complain of. So 



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