I 884- 21 



we trotted off at once to draw the Alontacute 

 covers. Suffice it to say there was not a fox in 

 any of them. After this patient but fruitless 

 draw it was a relief to hear a whimper, endorsed 

 by Orbell's cheer, as soon almost as the hounds 

 were put into Chilthorne Domer. After a turn 

 round the cover he broke at the low end, 

 pointing for Ashington, and swinging right- 

 handed he went for Preston, leaving Vagg on his 

 left, and we raced after him best pace till we 

 came to a check near Thorn Coffin. The name 

 of this village did not suggest a pleasant resting 

 place, and Charley did not so consider it, for 

 after a patient cast we hit off his line again 

 down a road, and following it more slowl}- over 

 the railroad, we passed over the main earths 

 at Br3anpton, and up to Furzy Knapps, where 

 he turned short back right-handed, and made a 

 line back to Odcombe again, but we lost it 

 entirely there, about four o'clock. The day had 

 brightened somewhat, and the evening was 

 calm, but four o'clock in December means 

 twilight, if not dark, so there was no doing 

 anything uiore. 



