A PACK OF "RTJMUNS." 235 



dawn his whipper-in (who, fortunately for him, 

 had not yet got a place) was despatched to view 

 the lot, and if possible, and not over-dear, to 

 purchase them. Jem's return was, of course, 

 anxiously expected ; and he was immediately, 

 on reaching home, ushered into his master's 

 presence. 



" Well, Jem," asked the old Squire, " what have 

 you done ?" 



" Struck a bargain, sir, and bought them at 

 once, out and out." 



" The deuce you have !" 



" Yes, sir — I know'd they couldn't be very dear 

 at the price. Twenty couples for twenty -five 

 pounds ; so I clenched the business without more 

 words, and we be to fetch 'em away by to-morrow, 

 or next day at furthest." 



" Well, that won't hurt us any way, Jem ; but 

 what are the hounds like?" 



" Rum uns to look at, sir — wild, wiry-looking 

 varmints as ever I see ; but they do say in them 

 parts, devils to go, sir, at anything, no matter 

 w^hat !" 



" Well, never mind, Jem ; it's a pack, at any 

 rate ; they have hunted together, that's something 

 to begin wdth. So here's the money ; and mind 



