164 REMINISCENCES, ETC. 



fifty minutes without a check, and killed. He did beat 

 every one of them. He went as straight as the crow 

 flies." 



Mr. Smith was once running a fox hard by Tangly, 

 when the hounds turned up a footpath into a field ; just 

 before them was an old woman carrying a bundle of sticks. 

 Seeing the hounds in full cry close to her quarters, the old 

 girl lashed out right and left with her heels. "Ware 

 hounds !" shouted Dick Burton. " What, ain't you steady 

 from riot at your time of life ? I jest wonder what you'd 

 have done when a filly!" When Dick and Tom Day 

 whipped in for Mr. Smith, nothing could be more perfect 

 than the tout ensemble of master and men. All had the 

 same jaunty balance seat, all were light good hands, all 

 first-rate horsemen ; and a fox, when they conspired 

 against him, had about as much chance of escape as a 

 felon, when Brougham or Scarlett held the adverse brief. 

 Exceptions, however, occurred sometimes, and one must be 

 noted, when the imjyeriosa libido of the master saved the 

 fox's life. The hounds had been running with a holding 

 scent in Collingbourne woods, when at the extremity 

 pointing for South Grove, they came out of cover with a 

 swing, and after one swerve round, away they went like a 

 flock of pigeons for some time mute, as if they had not 

 time to say a word ; and then every tongue in the pack 



joined chorus. 



" See how they range, 

 • Dispersed, how busily this way and that 



They cross, examining with curious nose 

 Each likely haunt." — Somerville. 



Unfortunately Mr. Smith did not see them break covert, 

 and when he came up, they were running hard as if in 

 view, and with a hare before them. Immediately he blew 

 his horn, and Dick had to ride for his life to stop them ; 

 and when he headed them, it required something stronger 

 than rate and whipcord to turn them. The squire sat still 



