84 Tally ho. 



As I trot along, passing tlirongh Oakham on the 

 way to Uppingham, I pass the winter residence of 

 Custance, who has a string of some eight or nine 

 thoroughbreds, in order to while away his hours of 

 ease, amongst which is the old steeplechaser Doctor, 

 upon whom he performs, and he may be truly described 

 as a ^^ Nailer ''^ across the grass. 



On ariving at the meet, Neale and his pack are to 

 be seen looking exceedingly fit. The field is small, 

 but amongst the attendants on the Cottesmore I see 

 Messrs. Finch, Captain Gosling and his brothers \ 

 Mr. Hayn, of Preston Hall — a very good man, who 

 has just recovered from a severe fall; Sir Henry 

 Fludyer, Captain Fludyer; Captain Mason, from 

 Leamington; Squire Rowley; Mr. Sutton, of Morcot 

 Hall j and Mr. Brown, of Uppingham, on a weight- 

 carrier. The hounds are thrown into Stock Wood, 

 which is situated on a steep slope, and, had the fox 

 gone away from the lower end of the cover, a noble 

 expanse of grass land would have been traversed ; but a 

 boisterous wind is blowmg, whilst " snatched in short 

 eddies plays the withered leaf,^' and the fox, fearing 

 to face it, breaks away at the top of the cover, run- 

 ning for Uppingham ; then, leaving it on the right, 

 he makes for the pretty village of Ayston, thence on 

 to Wardley Wood, then, ringing round, he leaves 

 Stock Wood on the right, and goes away at a rattling 

 pace straight for Rockingham village ; but, not daring 

 to face the brook, he races along the bank, and seeks 

 a place of refuge in Holt, one of Mr. Tailby's covers, 

 where he is no longer persevered with. 



During the run, Neale has two croppers, his horee 



