140 Memoir of Tom Smith. 



should leave also ; whicli lie at once did. And 

 it was no cause of regret ; for lie would never 

 liave been fit for his post, as he took no real 

 interest in the sport. One day he had a good 

 run from Crick, but lost his fox. The next 

 day Mr. Smith was riding with him to cover, 

 and asked him how he had slept. His reply 

 was, ^' Yery well — I'm very well." Mr. Smith 

 next asked, '^ Then what became of your fox 

 yesterday?" He replied, ^' I really don't 

 know — I have never thought of it since." 

 ^^ What !" cried the Master; '' find a fox, have 

 a good run, go to bed and sleep without think- 

 ing what became of your fox? — you'll never 

 be a huntsman as long as you live." 



There was to be hunting next day; the 

 meet was to be at Crick, and one of the best 

 coverts in the kingdom was to be drawn there. 

 "When the Master reached the town he found 

 there some hundred men in scarlet from all 

 the neighbouring hunts, and he had to ride by 

 them with Hayes and Moody in theii' shabby 



