28 RACECOUESE AND COVERT SIDE. 



the stubble behind us, across which the cub is 

 galloping at a steady pace, with his brush well 

 out behind him. Sir Henry's keen eye has noted 

 it at the same time, and a few notes on his horn 

 soon bring the pack tumbling out of the wood, 

 when, with quick sharp yelps of delight, Actor, 

 one of the young entry, hits off the scent and 

 races on over the stubble. The second whip, on 

 a rawish young horse, rides at a little ditch, in 

 the middle of the field before us, at which his 

 horse rises with a spring that would have cleared 

 an agricultural show water-jump ; and the com- 

 modore's young one, following on, gives a very 

 accurate imitation of the performance. 



" That was a jump and a half! " I remark, as 

 we go at a steady gallop up the hill leading to 

 Sibdown Hall. 



'' Never mind. He'll learn to do better in 

 time," the commodore replies, as he pats the 

 little horse's neck and pulls up among the group, 

 somewhat increased in number by this time, that 

 is waiting for the next move, for the cub is in 

 the wood before us. 



The mist has gradually cleared awaj^, and 

 now — it is just half-past six — the sun shines 

 out brilliantly, making the dew drops sparkle, 

 and casting in deep colours the shadows of the 

 trees among which we are gathered. Whether 



