*' IT IS OUR OPENING DAY." 49 



as Ravager and Woodman begin to display 

 unmistakable proofs of that keenness and 

 courage which is inherent in the blood of their 

 race. 



But now the rehearsal is all over. Horses, 

 if they have been wisely treated, are gradually 

 getting into form. Not only have the young 

 entry been taught by the huntsman and by their 

 elder brethren what is required of them, but the 

 cubs have been so rattled and the woodlands so 

 routed, that the foxes as well as the hounds 

 have an inkling of the work before them ; the 

 quarry has learnt that security is not to be 

 found in the recess of the thick undergrowth, 

 and that his enemies penetrate so thickly into 

 the heart of the w^hole wood that, on the whole, 

 flight across the open is the best thing for 

 safety. All is in order, except the weather, 

 upon which all depends. 



There, at any rate, are the boots and breeches, 

 and, hoping for the best, I make a hunting 

 toilet, and go downstairs to find my kindly host 

 inspecting the state of grass and gravel before 

 the house. It is likely to be hard on the north 

 side of the hills — we are in Wiltshire, if the 

 reader pleases, eager to see what the descendants 

 of those stout foxes that gave Assheton Smith 

 so many glorious gallops will do for us — it is 



4 



