132 sportsmen Parsons in Peace and War 



In the East Stoke rectory stables are to be found some useful 

 weight-carriers, for the nine-stone Marlborough boy has grown 

 into a sixteen-stone man. " Artexerxes " was the name of a 

 favourite heavy-weight hunter that did him well for several 

 seasons, carrying him well to the front in two or three big 

 heath runs. He bought the horse, which was sold to him by a 

 man who said it was a vile brute in stable and at the forge ; 

 indeed, so awkward was he that the village smithies trembled 

 when they saw him coming to be shod, and he often had to be 

 cast before it was satisfactorily accomplished. In spite of his 

 queer temper, however, he was pleasant to ride, and as clever 



Poor old " Artexerxes " was sold once when the " Purbeck 

 Pilgrim " was very ill and the doctors said he would hunt no 

 more ; but I am glad to say their prophecy was not fulfilled, for 

 he is going as strong as ever again and riding young ones 

 requiring " hands " and " seat." 



One of the most interesting hunts of his life was in Dorset- 

 shire, when after a fast run across the heath he espied a. black 

 speck crossing the nastiest bog in the neighbourhood and 

 wondered what it could be — discovering at last it was his very 

 precious and only daughter on her Shetland pony. She had 

 broken away from her governess on hearing hounds, and made 

 her way across the dangerous morass — thanks to her clever pony 

 — in safety. 



The Master blooded her, and so great was her pride she 

 would not allow it to be washed off that night. The poor 

 distracted governess who had lost her charge made her way 

 home to break the news, and was overjoyed to find the little 

 lady had been safely escorted home by her father. 



Hunting is by no means the only recreation Mr. Butler 

 indulges in. He enjoys all the good things that come his way. 

 He is a good ^hot and sought after when " the bag " is the chief 

 consideration, but perhaps excels as a dry-fly fisherman, 

 that most fascinating of pastimes, and he is exceedingly keen. 

 In the Frome close to his rectory he has landed many good 

 salmon up to thirty-five pounds. 



Once he decided he would spend a happy holiday in Ireland 

 fishing. He made great preparations so as to have plenty of 

 baskets to send his fish home in, and to his friends, who naturally 



