94 PINK AND SCARLET 



to roar ; the hounds stopped one half-minute to ask 

 me what the devil I made such a noise about, and 

 that half-minute check saved the life of that fox. 

 I was not particularly well pleased with myself. 

 Many a condemned-to-death fox has been reprieved 

 in that way. 



13. He tries the earths; they are shut; his 

 enemies are catching at him : Triumph has him — 

 Who — Whoop ! Now roar amain, gentlemen sports- 

 men — tear him and eat him, my beauties ! Yet 

 even in this last act, so very delightful after a 

 good run to bloodthirsty hounds and screaming 

 men, take care — keep your panting steeds away 

 from the ineUe or they will cripple their fellow- 

 steeds (let alone the brush and pad seizers), and 

 kick the hounds, and maybe occasion more deaths 

 than one. 



14. Down with the dust, liberal gentlemen. 

 Some influential person, not the master of the 

 hounds, should cap — every one who has it lugs out 

 his half-crown with glee after a good run. Yet. 

 by Jove, if a huntsman prefers running a bad fox 

 for a death, to a good one for a chase, not a 

 copper's worth of silver should he ever get from 

 me. A fox well earthed should be as well paid for 

 as a death : it is better — he will fight another day ; 

 and do you not think that if the hounds mark him 

 well to his earth it is as good for them almost as 

 blood ? 



15. Huntsman, go home steadily with your 

 hounds : tarry not, lest the hounds lie down on 



