186 HUNTING REMINISCENCES 



fortunately for him, it was one of tliose dull sluggish 

 streams, yards deep in thick black mud. Arthur 

 would have been no more, but for timely assistance 

 as he struggled in the holding mud with his 

 terrified horse. One of those who rode up to 

 render aid was INIrs. Sloane Stanley, and she 

 exclaimed, " Oh dear, I am sorry for you ! If Mrs. 

 Arthur was here now, she would not know you ! " 

 It made the whip smile even in his awkward phght, 

 for there was no ]Mrs. Arthur in those days. 



One of the most memorable days' sport in the 

 annals of the pack occurred on Monday, December 

 22nd, when the Belvoir and Quorn Hunts met in 

 the middle of a run, and joining forces, killed their 

 fox in company. Gillard roused his fox in Harby 

 Covert and had the pack quickly away, running to 

 Kaye Wood by Colston Bassett. Hounds were 

 pressing their fox all the way, and his point was 

 evidently the Curate's Gorse in Quorn domains, 

 but the keeper of the covert heading him off, he 

 made for a small plantation by Widmerpool, 

 entering it after leading the pack at a good pace 

 for one hour and twenty minutes. It so happened 

 the Quorn hounds were in the district, and Tom 

 Firr was casting about for his fox which was lost 

 after a spin ; Mr. J. Co upland saw the Belvoir 

 enter the covert by Widmerpool and told his 

 huntsman. Whilst Gillard was standing in the 

 central ride cheering hounds, Tom Firr galloped 

 up with his hounds just as the fox crossed the ride 

 behind the Belvoir huntsman's horse without his 

 viewing him. "Tally-ho!" shouted Firr, "Tally- 



