ANECDOTES OF THE TED WORTH HUNT. 181 



■ *' This pacified the squire, who, putting his hand in his 

 pocket and turning down his cuffs again, said, 'Your 

 excuse is a good one, and here is half-a-crown for it, 

 although I do not believe a word of what you say.' 



" This was about the best hour and twenty minutes with 

 hounds I ever saw, and the best scent — downward all the 

 way. 



" Anotker famous run I must record, also in the Jirst year 

 of Mr. Smith's reign in Hants and Wilts. We found a 

 fox late in the day (when they always run best, being lighter), 

 in Collingbourne Woods. After one turn there, he broke 

 by Honey Bottom, up by Dean Farm, to Scott Poor's, then 

 across the hills as if pointing for Fosbury Wood. How- 

 ever, leaving this to the right, he bore for Oxen wood and 

 Botley Clump, and we caught a view of him going down 

 into the vale from the plantation on Shalbourne Hill. 

 Down this hill, nearly as steep as the Falls of Niagara, 

 Mr. Smith rode at the head of the field as if he was 

 winning the Derby, with his hat off, screaming to his 

 hounds; and I shall not forget the gallant way ' little Ander- 

 son ' flew over a gate bushed up in the corner of a 

 paddock, just before we killed, as the fox faced the open, 

 pointing for Stype ; time forty -three minutes, without a 

 single check. Here, too, we had like to have had a row. 

 A. sheep-dog pitched into one of the hounds while break- 

 ing up the fox, for which the squire kicked him heels 

 ov^r head. 



" ' What do you kick my dog for 1 ' said a great burly 

 shepherd, with a pig eye and a fighting phiz. * Because 

 he did not know how to behave himself,' was the squire's 

 reply ; ' and take care what you do, or I will serve you 

 the same,' added he, buttoning up his coat and taking off 

 nis gloves. 



" The shepherd looked him over from head to foot, and 

 then seemed to conclude he had better leave things as 

 they were, which perhaps was better for both, as the squire 



