104 SPORTING ADVENTURES OF 



Madcap, and Easselas. They are dead on drags. 

 But, captain, if the governors twig it ? " 



" Not a bit, Slowman. They, as you know, 

 won't go four miles." 



" Yes, sir, yes. I know all that. But if they 

 should twig ? They have the coin, you know/' 

 The huntsman had his eye to the main chance. 



" But they will not, Slowman. Now, I will tell 

 you a secret; but, mind, it's between ourselves. 

 Honour, you know." 



" Honour bright, Captain," replied the huntsman, 

 laying his hand on his heart. 



" Well, then, to-morrow at breakfast, Head 

 and Over will announce their intention of 

 resigning." 



" No, sir ; you don't mean it ? " said the hunts- 

 man hastily. 



" I do," replied the Captain, " And I am going 

 to take them on, and you too. I am to be your 

 M.F.H. It's all cut and dried. So you see you 

 should run no risk. But not a word of this." 



The huntsman sat with his mouth open, and at 

 last uttered, " Dash my boots and tops, Captain, but 

 you are a trimmer ! But," he continued, " if we 

 find a fox before we come on the drag ? " 



" But you will not, Slowman. The cover is 

 mine, and has been well hunted through to-day, 



