AFTEK THE CUBS. 



*' The hounds will be at Hatcham Pond at five 

 o'clock sharp," my friend the commodore says, 

 as I climb into the dog-cart at his door after a 

 cheery evening ; " and if you look in as you pass, 

 at a quarter to five, I'll be ready." 



"You will? — on the w^ord of a British 

 sailor ? " I ask ; and replying in the negative to 

 his inquiry as to whether I should like to hear 

 him swear, I drive off to my cottage, to get as 

 much rest as is possible under the circumstances, 

 having ordered my mare to be sent round at a 

 quarter-past four. 



These are early hours for the unaccustomed 

 riser, and the night spent under such circum- 

 stances is likely to be a disturbed one. I wake 

 with a start and an impression that I have over- 

 slept myself, strike a light, look at my watch, 

 and find that it is a little more than half-past 

 one. A couple of hours' more sleep may safely 

 be taken ; but at the expiration of twenty minutes 

 or so again I open my eyes, and have a vision of 



