62 THE QUORN HUNT 



would appear to have come to an end, for the fox, in- 

 stead of making what was supposed to be his original 

 point — over Tilton Hill — was headed and turned short to 

 the right, facing the open country towards Skeffington. 

 At this point both thrusters and skirters were together, 

 and the struggle for supremacy began. The line lay 

 over a splendid line, for Mr. Lowth in one of his un- 

 published notes says — 



But one field we rode that was not laid in grass. The fox, 

 on leaving Skeffington, took a line bearing still more to the right 

 by Gadby, but, unwilling to face the wind, gave up his original 

 point and turned south, and then going west, ran down wind to 

 Enderby. 



In this part of the run it was that Mr. Lowth de- 

 scribed in the original MS. his "one rattling fall" : — 



As the pace, now old Marplot or Magic maintain, 



So now Villiers, now Forester, Cholmondeley, Germaine, 



Take the lead in their turn 'mong the Nimrods, as each 



By speed, by quick eye, and by nerve the pack reach. 



On these guides any stranger may safely depend 



If he's duly prepared to meet his last end. 



Not on things on the earth is concentred their love, 



Their affections are set upon things far above. 



Even Herschel himself, with much wonder would stare 



To see these bright meteors skim through the air, 



So Villiers, who during the speediest course, 



Ever picks with decision choice ground for his horse ; 



A stranger, who marked how direct was his line 



To him straight determined his faith to confine ; 



But scarce had resolved on this laudable plan 



Ere the musical pack with such eagerness ran 



Down a seeming small gulley, which spreading, was seen 



To become a wide track two steep hills between. 



About midway this chine, as the fleet pack divide, 



We hoped that the scent would have lain on our side, 



When, as ill-luck would have it (could fortune do worse ?) 



The scent soon turned out to be just the reverse. 



My guide thus thrown out, down the precipice swept, 



Charged the rail and the brook, through the sedge as it crept. 



