74 The Old Surrey Fox Hounds 



Suddenly the elderly gentleman's horse stumbled, shot 

 his jockey off into the darkness, continued with the 

 others as though nothing had happened, and they never 

 missed his rider ! The latter reached home in a donkey- 

 cart (with a bandage round his brow) just in time for 

 breakfast. 



Virtuously indignant, the wife of his bosom demanded 

 an explanation of his extraordinary conduct. "My dear," 

 he responded meekly, " there is an explanation which is 

 sure to astonish you. The Old Surrey hounds were 

 hunting all night, and whilst I was groping for their last 

 fox in a stagnant drain, he pinned me by the nose 

 and—" 



"Go to bed, you miserable sinner," cried the lady; and 

 he never heard the last of that escapade. Neighbours 

 were always glad to ask him whether he loved hunting by 

 the light of the moon. 



A pleasant feature of this hunt has been and is the 

 Point-to-Point races which have been held in connexion 

 with it almost annually for many years. Those races 

 have consistently been very agreeable sporting functions. 

 They used to be held at Mr. Leveson-Gower's place at 

 Titsey, though that was not a permanent fixture, and last 

 year they were celebrated at Edenbridge, being thoroughly 

 successful. The farmers turn up at these gatherings in 

 strong force ; they are entertained at luncheon by 

 members of the Hunt ; a few speeches are made, and the 

 utmost good-fellowship prevails. The races are, as a rule, 

 keenly contested. Many of the members ride their own 



