20 Tally ho. 



pedestrians, and tlie usual number of '' loafers ^' who 

 are always to be found at a " meet '' — these things, 

 together with a background of evergreens and a 

 merry sunshine, form the materials for a pleasant 

 picture. Add as a further advantageous ingredient 

 an invitation to mount a six-year-old horse of fine form 

 and fashion, whose subsequent performances prove 

 that he makes light of such a trifle as sixteen stone, 

 and you have all the incidents that promise a good 

 time. 



Starting under such fortuitous circumstances, the 

 first introduction to the " H. H.-*^ may be said at least 

 to be happy in its commencement. As soon as the 

 time was up, Mr. Deacon, who, in addition to playing 

 the part of Master, undertakes the task of hunting 

 the hounds himself, proceeded to draw the wood at 

 the back of " The Grove,^^ which was, however, blank, 

 though looking all over like holding a fox. Thence 

 the hounds were taken to Hackwood Park, and but 

 few minutes were given to look around at the noble 

 old trees, lo note the scuttling rabbits, see the fine 

 old cock pheasant sunning himself in the brilliant 

 December sun, and drying his plumage after the heavy 

 rains of the past week; for a whimpering of the 

 hounds is heard, then a view-halloo, followed immedi- 

 ately by a " who-hoop,'' the fox literally running into 

 the jaws of his pursuers, and being in an instant 

 catawampously chawed up, or, in sporting parlance, 

 " chopped," Again the hounds speak, and a fox is 

 seen going across the ride ; a view-halloo is given and 

 the hounds are at him in a trice, and he is rattled 

 around to the music of the whole pack ; but, being 

 headed by some footpeople, he doubles back and 



