A Question of Bits 7 



had the opportunity of five minutes' conversation with 

 the gentleman who hallooed, the latter's ideas concerning 

 the rudiments of fox-hunting would be materially 

 changed. A yell of another kind, however, evidently 

 means business. The joytul shout of the first whip is 

 not to be mistaken, and he would not shout unless there 

 was good reason. A couple of notes on the horn inform 

 hounds that the occasion for their best energies has 

 arisen, and away we pour down the ride and through 

 the hand gate, except some few who turn to the left 

 through a belt of trees and scramble over the fence, 

 which gives them no advantage, however, as hounds 

 speedily swing round to the right. Starchley, with much 

 regret, throws away a half-smoked cigarette and trots 

 after the field, now half across a big stubble, out of 

 which a couple of hares have just cantered with the 

 easy stride of hares which perfectly well understand that 

 they are not wanted, and nobody will interfere with 

 them. 



At the end of the field, separating the stubble from 

 a wide expanse of grass, is a very comfortable fence, 

 a hedge and ditch, just one of those little places which 

 give the timid man confidence as his horse glides 

 quietly over. If by chance there is a stiff post and rail, 

 or a well-grown, thickly fledged bullfinch at the beginning 

 of a run before the man who is not quite certain of his 

 horse, and possibly still less certain of himself, demorali- 

 sation is not unlikely to set in. To begin well is to do 

 much. In some parts the fence consists simply of a few 

 twigs ; in others it is thicker, near to the description of 

 a ' fair hunting fence,' and it is to one of the latter places 

 that Lawford makes his way. As the mare crosses the 

 stubble it is obvious that she would bolt for two pins— 



