AND ITS RESULTS 205 



dwell here for description, and away they go at a 

 killing pace, which, if it lasts long enough, will get 

 to the bottom of many a gallant steed there present. 

 And now comes the rush of horsemen amidst the 

 cries of " Hold hard ! don't spoil your sport ! " of 

 the master, and the " 'Old 'ard ! " of the huntsman, 

 who has an eye to tips, and therefore restrains his 

 wrath in some measure. But the Easyallshireans 

 are not to be kept back by any such remonstrances 

 and expostulations as these, and those who mean to 

 be with the hounds throughout the run, hustle along 

 to get a forward place ; whilst the knowing and 

 cunnino- ones, with the Master at their head, turn 

 short round, and make for a line of gates which lie 

 invitingly open, right in the direction which the fox 

 has taken. I get a good start, and being well 

 mounted, sail away, and am soon alongside of Joe 

 the huntsman, whose horse, though a screw, and 

 not very high in condition, is obliged to go, being 

 compelled thereto by its rider. A stiff-looking 

 fence, which I charge at the same moment as Joe, 

 who takes away at least a perch of fencing, and 

 thus lets many a muff through, lands us into the 

 next field, and affords a fair view of the hounds 

 streaming aw^ay a little distance before us. But 

 why should I describe the run ? The Field, weekly, 

 gives much more graphic descriptions of such things 



