138 Memoir of Tom Smith. 



be — — if he hasn't killed an old fox !'' The 

 hounds were all got back safely, though, as the 

 land near Althorpe swarmed with hares, there 

 was some riot with the young hounds. 



For the two following days the Master 

 was busy with providing meal, hay, and corn 

 for the cub -hunting kennel at Brigstock ; and 

 then he took all the horses and hounds there, 

 and remained with them for a fortnight, in 

 Avhich time he killed nine foxes and ran seve- 

 ral to ground. The country round belonged 

 to the Duke of Buccleuch ; his old and valu- 

 able head-keeper had orders to give every 

 assistance, which he did, and there was an 

 abundance of foxes. 



Having thus blooded his hounds, Mr* 

 Smith returned to Brixworth, and made known 

 to Mr. G. Payne, Mr. Hungerford, and the 

 others, that he could now ventiu^e to com- 

 mence regular hunting ; but that it was neces-; 

 sary .for them to assist him in procuring a 

 hmitsman, as it was understood that he would 



