Last Scene of AIL 369 



as tlie foot people^ those in wagonnettes, carts, and 

 vehicles of every sort, as well as horsemen, hunted the 

 noble animal to their hearts^ content ; but at length 

 the bewildered quarry made his way through the 

 multitude and got into the open. Then Goodall, with 

 fifteen couples of his grand hounds, having carefully 

 made hia way through the crowd, laid them on the 

 scent, and they quickly got on the line and ran in the 

 direction of Cookham Dean. 



Whichever way I looked I saw horsemen galloping, 

 the roads thronged with vehicles, and countless pedes- 

 trians hurrying along in the vain endeavour to keep 

 up with the hounds. But the pace soon told on the 

 ^^ many-headed,'^ who were speedily outpaced, and, 

 after a gallop of some three or four miles, I found my- 

 self going at a racing pace, through the beech woods 

 which overhang the valley of the Thames. Excited by 

 the unusual noise and the throng of people, my horse 

 careered at full speed, regardless of overhanging 

 boughs, indifferent to the stumps of trees, and careless 

 as to what became of his rider, his sole object appa- 

 rently being to maintain his place in the front rank. 

 But soon his fleet career was checked ; the deer, being 

 determined to be rid of his pursuers, descended the 

 steep hillside, and, making for the river, dashed gal- 

 lantly into the stream, made his way across, and 

 cantered quietly along, leaving the hounds and horse- 

 men to get over as best they could. 



Some of the field made their way towards Cookham 

 Bridge, others were galloping in the direction of that 

 at Marlow, whilst Goodall and the hounds crossed 

 over the ferry near Cookham Dean, and, picking up 

 the scent, went away in the direction of Wycombe. 



24 



