AFTER THE CUBS. 25 



perhaps a few rather nasty falls, and, after a long 

 day's work, heaving sides and throbbing nostrils, 

 a tedious journey home in the dark along a hard 

 road ; yet from the demeanour of the old hunters 

 when they see their companions, the hounds, 

 there can be no sort of question that they are 

 glad to meet them again. My mare is by no 

 means distinguished for good looks, or, on the 

 road, for smj desire to exert herself, but she has 

 pulled herself together at sight of. the hounds, 

 and, hearing a burst of music from the cover, 

 arches her neck, paws excitedly, and becomes a 

 new creature. The good-looking grey — Sir 

 Henry's second horse : he has a couple out, in 

 order to give all his favourites a turn — plunges 

 eagerly forward ; and the very steady hunter 

 bestridden by our friend in pink shakes her head 

 wildly, whereupon the beautifully attired rider 

 works her right into the corner of the field, and 

 in tones of very timid command exclaims, 

 " Whoa, then ; be quiet, will you ? " though the 

 excellent creature has never been within a 

 measurable distance of inquietude. 



The music dies away, and nothing is heard 

 but Charlie's voice, encouraging his hounds. 

 Presently one of the new entry emerges from the 

 wood, and trotting up to Sir Henry's horse, 

 looks inquiringly into the master's face. What 



