A Sportsman at Large 59 



one of which was a red-headed pochard ; whilst The Dads, 

 having missed the crow, could produce nothing better than 

 an old " moU'ern " (heron), which had confidingly flopped 

 over my parent's head, a moorhen and a water-vole. Any- 

 way, a mixed bag. 



When it is considered that Canon's Park is but little over 

 seven miles distant from Hyde Park Corner, one may well 

 marvel at such a good show of game as was here to be found. 

 I have mentioned that hares were fairy numerous on this fine 

 estate. So when, later on, I got together my (very) scratch 

 pack of foot beagles at Moat Mount, I lost no time in taking 

 them over to Canon's. What is more, we soon " found " in the 

 park, and had a rare barney. My little " beauties " (?) 

 who had had a series of blank days at home, now threw their 

 tongues joyously, and " chowked " about all over the shop 

 quite out of my control for I had no whipper-in. Presently 

 there were three hares afoot at once within the ringed fence. 

 The beagles changed from one to another, and pandemonium 

 reigned. But one division, consisting of about five and a half 

 couples, somehow glued themselves on to the line of a huge 

 tabby tom-cat, probably because grimalkin's scent did not 

 call for such careful and intense nosing out as that of their 

 legitimate quarry. Anyhow, " pussy " went off hot foot, 

 making straight for the back-yard of the mansion itself, with 

 the " brave beagle boys " running from scent to view, and 

 legging it for all they were worth. When the haven was 

 reached, there was a devil of a rumpus. Mrs. Begg's prize 

 poultry broke barracks and flew clucking and squawking in 

 all directions, with the varlets and scullions cursing and 

 swearing, kicking and hitting right and left. Then their 

 mistress's fat but beloved prize pug had an epileptic fit and 

 nearly paid in his checks ! 



Luckily, good Mrs. Begg was absent that day, but you may 

 be sure that a highly-coloured description of the fiasco was 

 conveyed to her by her menials, though, goodness knows, the 

 episode was lurid enough, even when not exaggerated. 



Anyway, it put " paid " to our further activities at Canon's. 

 We were all " warned off " for life ! Of course, I " got the 

 bird," as the saying goes ! I have dealt with these blessed 



