294 Tally ho. 



ing as fresh as a four- year-old, Mr. Fitz Oldacre, wlio 

 goes as well to hounds as ever he did, as I can testify 

 from having seen him perform a short time since in 

 the shires. 



Then the noble Master, Lord Hardwicke, drives 

 up, and the fog having cleared sufficiently to allow 

 of the deer being uncarted, the order to move is given, 

 and the noble animal is driven to the place of execu- 

 tion, accompanied by a howling and yelling mob, who 

 shout and bewilder the unfortunate deer, when he 

 makes his appearance, sufficiently, I should have 

 thought, to drive him mad, and make him turn upon 

 his persecutors. It takes all the energy of Lord 

 Hardwicke to restrain the rampagiousness of the 

 many headed multitude ; but with the aid of Goodall, 

 order is to some extent restored, and Rob Roy goes 

 away, and seeks for safety in a neighbouring copse. 

 It appears to me that the only way to ensure a run 

 would be to send the van to a spot which should be 

 kept secret, and then by trotting away some three or 

 four miles from the meet the mob would be shaken 

 oflP, and the deer having been uncarted quietly, and 

 allowed to select his own line of country, there would 

 be a fair chance of sport. It is no use, in my opinion^ 

 attempting to force the deer to take a particular line, 

 the usual result being, in my experience, that he goes 

 exactly where he is not wanted. 



Any one who has observed the habits of the stag 

 will have noticed that when he is uncarted at a quiet 

 spot he will look around him, and, after due delibera- 

 tion, go in the direction that suits him best. No 

 amount of yelling or hooting will compel him to 

 alter his views, as no doubt instinct teaches him in 



