MR. sponge's SPORTING TOUR. 209 



" Well," said Mr. Brags:, drawing on his dog-skin glove as if to 

 be off. 



" My friend Swellcove does it," observed Puff. 



" True," replied Bragg, " true ; but my Lord Swellcove is one 

 of a thousand. See how many have failed for one that has suc- 

 ceeded. Why even my Lord Scamperdale was 'bliged to give it up, 

 and no man rides harder than my Lord Scamperdale — always goes as 

 if he had a spare neck in his pocket. But he couldn't 'unt a pack of 

 'ounds. Your gen'l'men 'untsmen are all very well on fine scentin' 

 days when everything goes smoothly and well, and the 'ounds are 

 tied to their fox as it were ; but see them in difficulties — a failing 

 scent, 'ounds pressed upon by the field, fox chased by a dog, storm in 

 the air, big brook to get over to make a cast. Oh, sir, sir, it makes 

 even me, with all my acknowledged science and experience, shudder to 

 think of the ordeal one undergoes ! " 



" Indeed," exclaimed Mr. Puffington, staring, and beginning to 

 think it mightn't be quite so easy as it looked. 



" I don't wish sir, to dissuade you, sir, from the attempt, sir," 

 continued Mr. Bragg ; "far from it, sir — for he, sir, who never 

 makes an effort, sir, never risks a failure, sir, and in great attempts, 

 sir, 'tis glorious to fail, sir ; " Mr. Bragg sawing away at his hat as 

 he spoke, and then sticking the fox-head handle of his whip under 

 his chin. 



Puff stood mute for some seconds. 



" My Lord Scamperdale," continued Mr. Bragg, scrutinising our 

 friend attentively, " was as likely a man, sir, as ever I see'd, sir, to 

 make a 'untsman, for he had a deal of ret (rat) ketchin' cunnin' about 

 him, and, as I said before, didn't care one dim for his neck ; but a 

 more signal disastrous failure was never recognised. It was quite 

 lamentable to witness his proceedin's." 



jj How ? " asked Mr. Puffington. 



■ How, sir ? " repeated Mr. Bragg ; " why, sir, in all wayses. 

 He had no dog language, to begin with — he had little idea of makin' a 

 cas t — no science, no judgment, no manner — no nothin' — I'm dim'd if 

 ever I see'd sich a mess as he made." 



Puff looked unutterable things. 



" He never did no good, in fact, till I fit him with Frostyface. 

 / taught Frosty," continued Mr. Bragg. " He whipped in to me 

 when I 'unted the Duke of Downeybird's 'ounds — nice, 'cute, civil 

 chap he was — of all my pupils — and I've made some first-rate 'unts- 

 men, I'm dim'd if I don't think Frostyface does me about as much 

 credit as any on 'em. Ah, sir," continued Mr. Bragg, with a shake 

 of his head; " take my word for it, sir, there's nothin' like a profes- 

 sional. S-c-e-u-s-e me, sir," added he, with a low bow and a sort of 

 military salute of his hat ; "but dim all gen'l'men 'untsmen say I." 



Mr. Bragg had talked himself into several good places, Lord 



