190 Memoir of Tom Smith. 



^'I'll bet a tliousand pounds Tre've found 

 hinij" added lie, as lie cheered in tlie now 

 assembled pack. 



A find indeed it was, and a more beautiful 

 one a sportsman could never wish, to see. We 

 were near one extremity of the gorse, around 

 which, in every direction, was scattered the 

 numerous field I have described. What if, 

 after all this trial of patience, crowned finally 

 with success, our fox should unfortunately be 

 chopped, and our anticipated sport nipped in 

 the very bud? With less skilful manage- 

 ment, such a contingency might probably 

 have occurred ; but Tom Smith, having shown 

 how by sheer perseverance he could find his 

 fox, now showed how — ^having found him — 

 he would insiure us a gallant run. 



IN'ot a moment was to be lost ; the obedient 

 pack he kept so well in hand, that they fol- 

 lowed at his horse's heels, as the latter bored 

 through, or sprung over the opposing furze, 

 on which the rider now perseveringly plied 



