136 



His lordship, who had been riding all eyes, ears, and fears, fore- 

 saw the probability of this ; and pulling-to his horse, held up his 

 hand, the usual signal for Jack to " sing out " and stop the field. 

 Sponge saw the signal, but, unfortunately, Hercules didn't ; and tear- 

 ing along with his head to the ground, resolutely bore our friend not 

 only past his lordship, but right on to where the now stooping pack 

 were barely feathering on the line. 



Then Jack and his lordship sung out together. 



" Hold hard ! "' screeched his lordship, in a dreadful state of ex- 

 citement. 



" Hold hard ! " thundered Jack. 



Sponge ivas holding hard — hard enough to split the horse's jaws, 

 but the beast would go on, notwithstanding. 



" By the powers, he's among 'em again ! " shouted his lordship, 

 as the resolute beast, with his upturned head almost pulled round to 

 Sponge's knee, went star-gazing on like the blind man in Regent 

 Street. " Sing out, Jack ! sing out ! for heaven's sake sing out," 

 shrieked his lordship, shutting his eyes, as he added, " or he'll kill 

 every man Jack of them." 



" Now, Sur! " roared Jack, "can't you steer that ere aggravatin' 

 quadruped of yours ? " 



" Oh, you pestilential son of a pontry-maid ! " screeched his lord- 

 ship, as Brilliant ran yelping away from under Sponge's horse's feet. 

 " Sing out, Jack! sing out ! '." gasped his lordship again. 



" Oh, you scandalous, hypocritical, rusty-booted, numb-handed 

 son of a puffing corn-cutter, why don't you turn your attention to 

 feeding hens, cultivating cabbages, or making pantaloons for small 

 folk, instead of killing hounds in this wholesale way ! " roared Jack ; 

 an inquiry that set him foaming again. 



" Oh, you unsightly, sanctified, idolatrous, Bagnigge-Wells cop- 

 persmith, you think because I'm a lord, and can't swear or use coarse 

 language, that you may do what you like ; rot you, sir, I'll present 

 you with a testimonial ! I'll settle a hundred a-yearupon you if you'll 

 quit the country. By the powers, they're away again ! " added his 

 lordship, who, with one eye on Sponge and the other on the pack, had 

 been watching Frosty lifting them over the bad scenting ground, till, 

 holding them on to a hedgerow beyond, they struck the scent on good 

 sound pasture, and went away at score, every hound throwing his 

 tongue, and filling the air with joyful melody. Away they swept like 

 a hurricane. " F-o-o-rard ! " was again the cry. 



"Hang it, Jack," exclaimed Lord Scamperdale, laying his hand 

 on his double's shoulder, as they galloped along side of each other — 

 u hang it, Jack, see if you can't sarve out this unrighteous, mahogany- 

 booted, rattlesnake. Do, if you die for it ! — I'll bury your re- 

 mainders genteelly — patent coffin with brass nails, all to yourself — 

 put Frosty and all the fellows in black, and raise a white marble 



