CHAPTER XXIII 



MAJOR J. A. COOKE HURLE: 1913-15 



Strangers in the land — A Westcountryman — Ex-master of the Lamerton 

 and New Forest Hounds — Returns to Devonshire with his own pack — 

 Settles at Holne Cross, Ashburton — Hiintsman as well as naaster — 

 Activity, judgment and tact — Mrs. H\irle — Unpleasant adventure — 

 Success at Exeter Hound Show — Agreement to waive guarantee — Renews 

 loan of Haldon side to the Silverton — Sport during first season — Bad 

 weather — Best in-country run of the season — Loan of Kingsbridge 

 country to Mr. Brunskill — Second season — Guarantee — Resignation of 

 the hon. sec. — Outbreak of the war — Gloomy outlook — Determination 

 to keep the hunt going — Master's entire stud taken for the Army — 

 Rejoins his regiment — Generous act of Messrs. W. and H. Whitley — Polo 

 ponies for the hunt stables — Mr. Simpson appointed deputy-master — 

 Reeves as huntsman — Creditable performance of his duties — Accident to 

 Mr. W. R. Vicary — Resignation of the master — Resolution passed by 

 the hunt. 



" Of manly form and courteovie mden, 

 Scarce fifty summers has he seen ; 



He scans the field with rapid view. 

 And notes an absent friend or two ; 

 Though strict to time, he loves to yield 

 A margin to his tardy field." 



(Dartmoor Days.) 



ALTHOUGH Devonshire folk are notoriously 

 - clannish and profess a poor opinion of " foreign- 

 ers " from other counties, a stranger, once settled in 

 Devon, is soon forgiven his nationality and received, 

 so to speak, into the family, provided he attunes his 

 mind and manners to those of the inhabitants. 



It is a noticeable fact that of all the masters of the 

 South Devon since its foundation, only two, Mr. Ross 

 and Major Cooke Hurle, have come from outside the 



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