52 SPOXTS AND ANECDOTES. 



and upon which a man was hanged for a mu-rder he 

 had committed. The gibbet, which was called 

 "Weldon's gibbet," was still standing in the days I 

 am speaking of, and the iron cradle which had con- 

 tained the murderer's head was still lying on the 

 ground close by under the gibbet. I fancy that, as 

 the times grew more enlightened, all these most 

 useful warnings to evil doers have by degrees dis- 

 appeared. And I fancy, for I have not seen the 

 place for many years, that the gorse alone remains, 

 and is as famed now as it used to be for always 

 holding a fox. 



As we rode up to the said gorse, I remember re- 

 marking to Lambert that it was rather a moist day 

 for a new hunting coat, which I was just bringing 

 out. " Yes, sir. Yes," said Lambert, " I hope you 

 won't be dirtying that new pink to-day ! " at the 

 same time touching his hat most politely, as much 

 as to say, " I should not wonder if you got a cropper, 

 having such a smart new coat on." 



The hounds were thrown in just under the gibbet, 

 and in less time than it takes me to tell it, my friend 

 is out of covert and away towards Oakham. Leaving 

 Oakham to the right he points for Langham, which 

 he leaves on his left, and turns to the right and makes 



