MR. sponge's SPORTING TOUR. 385 



" Deed," sneered the huntsman, whisking about to leave the room ; 

 muttering, as he passed behind the large Indian screen at the door, 

 something about "jawing jackanapes, well called Cheek." 



" 'Unt in 'alf an hour ! " exclaimed Watchorn, from the steps of 

 the front door ; an announcement that was received by the little 

 Raws, and little Spooneys, and little Baskets, and little Bulgeys, and 

 little Bricks, and little others, with rapturous applause. 



All was now commotion and hurry-scurry inside and out ; glasses 

 were drained, lips wiped, and napkins thrown hastily away, while 

 ladies and gentlemen began grouping and talking about hats and 

 habits, and what they should ride. 



" You go with me, Orlando," said Lady Scattercash to our friend 

 Bugles, recollecting the quantity of diachylon plaster it had taken 

 to repair the damage of his former equestrian performance. " You 

 go with me, Orlando," said she, " in the phaeton ; and I'll lend Lucy," 

 nodding towards Miss Glitters, " my habit and horse." 



" Who can lend me a coat ? " asked Captain Seedeybuck, examin- 

 ing the skirts of a much frayed invisible-green surtout. 



" A coat ? " replied Captain Quod ; " I can lend you a Joinville, 

 if that will do as well," the captain feeling his own extensive one as 

 he spoke. 



" Hardly," said Seedeybuck, turning about to ask Sir Harry. 



" What ! — you are going to give Watchorn a tussel, are you ? " 

 asked Captain Cutitfat of George Cheek, as the latter began adjust- 

 ing the fox-toothed riband about his hat. 



" I believe you," replied George, with a knowing jerk of his 

 teaa* ; adding, " it won't take much to beat him." 



" What ! he's a slow 'un, is he ? " asked Cutitfat, in an under 

 tone. 



" Slowest coach I ever saw," growled George. 

 ! " Won't ride, won't he ? " asked the Captain. 



" Not if he can help it," replied George; adding, " but he's such 

 a shocking huntsman — never saw such a huntsman in all my life." 



George's experience lay between his uncle Jellyboy, who rode 

 eighteen stone and a half, Tom Scramble, the pedestrian huntsmen 

 of the Slowfoot hounds, near Mr, Latherington's, and Mr. Watchorn. 

 But critics, especially hunting ones, are all ready made, as Lord 

 Byron said. 



" Well, we'd better disperse and get ready," observed Bob S 

 gles, making for the door ; whereupon the tide of population i 

 that way, and the room was presently cleared. 



George Cheek and the juveniles then returned to their friei 

 the front; and George got up pony races among the Johnny Haws, 

 the Baskets, the Bulgeys, and the Spooneys, thrice round the car- 

 riage-ring and a distance, to the detriment of the gravel and the 

 discomfiture of the flower-bed in the ccutre. 

 17 



