AUGUSTUS F. ROSS 175 



it is clear that Arthur Mason hunted the pack from 

 the opening day. PhiHp Back, who after his early 

 experience with Mr. Ross had put in two years in 

 private service and two more as kennel-huntsman 

 and whip to Mr. Netherton's Harriers, returned to 

 Mr. Ross as whipper-in. He remained for one season 

 and then, after hunting the Modbury Harriers for 

 three seasons, entered Mr. Calmady's service and 

 developed into one of the best huntsmen in Devon- 

 shire. 



The season opened on the 27th October, when the 

 hounds met at Kingskerswell Arch. The Down, 

 usually a sure find thanks to Mr. Hercules Brown 

 of Barton Hall, was drawn blank, but a fox was 

 found in Maddicott's Plantation which took the pack 

 over Dainton Hill to Stoneycombe, where he turned 

 to Bulleigh Barton and went on by Wrigwell to 

 Brownston. The earths here being stopped, the fox 

 skirted Coombe Fishacre and went to Wickaborough. 

 Crossing the Totnes road by Red Post, the pack ran 

 at a great pace to Lillypitt, thence to Waye Barton, 

 where a sheepdog caused a check. Time, fifty 

 minutes, the pace at times being terrific. Arthur 

 very soon hit the line again, and they rattled him 

 down the valley to Gatcombe Plantation, where they 

 rolled him over. 



On the 12th November the pack met at Ambrook, 

 the Master's new residence, and the field numbered 

 from ninety to a hundred. A cub was killed after 

 half an hour's ringing run, and an old fox was found 

 on Dainton Common. They rattled him over the 

 hill to Bulleigh, where they turned to Compton, 

 racing through Mr. Anthony's big fields, skirting 

 Brownscombe, to Coombe. Ringing here a bit, and 

 away for Ipplepen, and Ox Hill, they crossed the line 



