42 How I Became a Sportsmax. 



the hounds he would be sure to take advan- 

 tage, and I picked it up from the huntsmen 

 or whips in consequence. I recollect Bill Long 

 saying to me on one occasion, "There, get 

 along in front of the hounds and there stop, 

 and perhaps you two will be satisfied." Many 

 a time my arms became so numbed and tired 

 from pulling at him that I have put one of 

 the reins over my shoulder, and leant against 

 it, by which means I could pull his head 

 into his breast, and somewhat control his pace. 

 I was not hke the ordinary run of "'plum- 

 pudding boys," only out during the Christmas 

 holidays, when sportsmen endure such nui- 

 sances, knowing it is only for a time, and a 

 good many of course having boys of their 

 own ; but I was constantly out, and got liked 

 accordingly, though they could not help laugh- 

 ing at me for the scrapes I was constantly 

 getting into and the mischief I caused. How 

 he got over some of the fences I don't know, 

 but what he could not jump he would run 

 over or scramble over or through in some 

 seemingly impossible way, which I am utterly 

 unable to describe ; but get to the other side 

 somehow he would and did. Many a rough- 



