96 Memoir of Tom Smith, 



within lialf a mile of it they appeared to smell 

 the deer, and made several attempts to rush 

 forward, uttering a frightful whine. They were 

 then severely corrected ; after which they were 

 taken among the deer, when they became 

 quite furious, like mad hounds. Seeing this, 

 each hound was fastened to the park-pales, 

 and again flogged most soundly ; after which 

 they were taken back to the kennel. Each 

 succeeding morning and afternoon saw a few 

 couples treated in the same way, until the 

 pack had been gone through ; but it was not 

 thought safe to trust them until after cub -hunt- 

 ing, of which they had had none. On one oc- 

 casion when they attempted to follow the deer 

 Mr. Smith had a narrow escape of his life. 

 He was riding in Savernake Forest adjoining 

 the park, and was going at a furious pace to 

 stop the hounds, when the dead branch of an 

 oak-tree pierced his hat, just grazing his head; 

 but he left his hat on the tree until he had 

 accomplished his purpose. 



