ESQ. 109 



down. Head, Over, and a host of others galloped 

 for a ford half a mile away. 



Out of a large field only eight or ten cleared the 

 Eushpool brook. His lordship and Spraggon were 

 soon out and going ; and their horses having a fine 

 turn of speed enabled them to come up with the 

 hounds again ; and their checking for a few minutes, 

 in consequence of some sheep having stained the 

 ground, let up the rest of the field on their now 

 nearly beaten horses. 



" Fastish thing, my Lord, is it not ? " said Over 

 to Lord Wildrace, who was mopping his head with 

 a scarlet silk pocket-handkerchief. 



" Yes," said the nobleman, turning his horse's 

 head to the wind, " devilish sharp. I'm cold, too. 

 I wish I could see my second horse. I'm pumped 

 out." 



" Have a nip of brandy, Wildrace," said Captain 

 Martaingail, offering his silver flask. " Been in the 

 water, I see — and a good many more, too," casting 

 his eyes on half a score of dripping objects. " It's 

 a very distressing jump to a horse, is that Paishpool 

 brook. By gad, they have hit off again !" 



Slowman knew well the line to cast his hounds, 

 and they soon hit it off, and went racing away 

 again, heads up and sterns down. 



At last Bolton Mill was in sight, and here many 



