CHAPTER XI 



A CHAT WITH SAM HILLS 



TT is pleasant to find an old huntsman spending his 

 * retirement in ease and comfort, in the enjoyment of 

 good health and a serenity of mind perfectly unruffled, 

 in the midst of friends who regard him with sincere 

 respect and affection. Few of us can expect sweeter 

 compensations for our old age. And, happily, those are 

 the conditions which now surround the life of Sam Hills, 

 who acted as huntsman to the Old Surrey hounds for 

 thirty-two seasons without a break. He resigned that 

 position in 1892, when he was presented with a testi- 

 monial of six hundred pounds by the Master and members 

 of the Hunt. Never was a testimonial better deserved. 



In the pleasant village of Lingfield, chiefly notable at 

 present for its races, Sam Hills now resides, a popular 

 figure. Everybody likes him ; and, of course, he is 

 looked up to as quite a sporting oracle by his neighbours. 

 We recently had a long chat with the veteran about the 

 Old Surrey hounds : it was a thoroughly interesting, 

 agreeable, and instructive experience. Sam possesses a 

 wonderful memory concerning the subject he loves so 

 well ; he has plenty of anecdotes and reminiscences as to 

 the glorious sport enjoyed with these hounds in bygone 



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