280 THE SOUTH DEVON HUNT 



hounds ; but when he helped them he was quick 

 about it, and made his cast with judgment and 

 decision. He was a good rider and had a surprising 

 way of getting to his hounds in a country where that 

 is never very easy. Ever courteous with his field, he 

 was never ruffled, even by the disappointments and 

 aggravations that beset a huntsman's path. 



Mrs. Hurle shared her husband's love of the sport 

 and was a frequent member of the field. She had 

 had her share of hunting in other countries, and her 

 experiences included the unpleasant one of being 

 pinned down under water by her horse with a broken 

 collar-bone ! 



The master's desire to have a working pack did not 

 lead him to neglect appearances, as is shewn by his 

 taking several prizes at Exeter Hound Show in July, 

 1914, including a first with Madcap in the restricted 

 class for dogs and a first with Gaiety and Gracious, 

 both by Viceroy, in the class for unentered bitches. 



Major Cooke Hurle agreed to hunt the country two 

 days a week ; as a matter of fact, he put in a third 

 day regularly throughout his first season, and would 

 have continued to do so in his second season had 

 circumstances permitted. Nevertheless, he very 

 generously waived any guarantee for the first year 

 on the understanding that the hunt would pay 

 kennel rent and all field expenses and hand over any 

 balance of the year's subscriptions to him. Having 

 country enough for his three days without the 

 Haldon side, the loan of that side to the Silverton 

 was renewed. 



Of the sport during Major Cooke Hurle's first 

 season the following will give an idea. 



Before the regular season began, the pack gave an 

 example of its hunting powers by killing an old dog- 



