SIR RICHARD SUTTON 237 



when a very few of the morning's field found themselves at 

 Red mile, beyond Belvoir Castle. Several of those who were 

 up at the finish were fifteen or seventeen miles from home ; but 

 the general verdict was that no one would have grudged a journey 

 of a hundred miles home after such an excellent run. 



A noted horseman, Captain Campbell, was on a visit 

 to Beaumanor, and went out with Sir Richard Sutton's 

 hounds as often as possible. Towards the close of De- 

 cember 1852, when the floods were out, the captain had 

 gone to some fixture on the eastern side of the country, 

 and had not arrived at his host's house at seven o'clock, 

 the dinner-hour. The host, anxious for the welfare of 

 his guest, sent a groom over to Ouorn Hall to make 

 inquiries. The master's reply was :— 



I can give a good account of the fox, but as to accounting for 

 men, especially when the run is in the water instead of on land, 

 it is quite out of the question. However, now I think of it, I did 

 see Campbell plashing down the Whissendine Brook, and his 

 horse water-logged in mid-channel, but further deponent knoweth 

 not, for the hounds were in full cry ; but no doubt Campbell 

 reached the shore in safety, or I should have heard of it. His 

 dead horse I saw lying on the bank on our return. Tell the ladies 

 at Beaumanor to play " The Campbells are Coming," and no 

 doubt he will soon reach the Hall. 



Soon after eight o'clock the captain appeared safe 

 and sound at Beaumanor. The rains above, however, 

 and the floods below, never once deterred the master 

 of the Quorn from keeping his fixture. When the 

 meadows and roads between Barrow and Ouorn were 

 impassable, the Soar was crossed at Cotes, the van con- 

 veying the pack, his carriage Sir Richard and the Misses 

 Sutton ; old Day and " young-eyed Day," the whips, 

 swam the torrent ; while the carriage doors were opened 

 to give the water free course and avoid the chance 

 of an overturn. 



Quite early in his mastership, Sir Richard Sutton 



