1887. 285 



had run a twenty minutes' united course before 

 they were whipped off near Minterne. It was 

 now five o'clock, and Mr. Klliott-Lees a long 

 way from home. The packs were divided in a 

 field, Brown calling his hounds to him, and 

 returning those who came uninvited. The 

 ground rode very heavy after the recent frost 

 and snow. It was a trying day for horses 

 and hounds after their long month's rest. 



January 21st. — 



The hounds arrived at Montacute Station 

 by half-past eleven, the hour named ; but we 

 had to wait a full half-hour before the train 

 from Dorchester came in, in case it should bring 

 any of the last night's dancers at the Dorchester 

 ball. A few arrived, I believe, and the Master 

 then moved off, and we went straight to 

 Chilthorne Domer, where we found a fox, who, 

 perhaps, being out of condition, preferred death 

 to flight. In Waindles a more active one 

 awaited us ; he took us out, after a turn in the 

 cover, at the top end, as if for the Brickfields, 

 and thence to Hull Mill. The scent was good, 



