entertainment, changed his course and ran so far from 

 us that for an hour or two the dogs were entirely out 

 of hearing, and during this period Old Ranger 

 appeared, and when his owner saw him he said the 

 fox must either be dead or in his hole, as his old, 

 reliable dog would never have left him alive. Then 

 in succession appeared Revenge, Royalty and Leader, 

 and when they came their owners each said the chase 

 was all over, that the fox had retired for the night, and 

 we had better follow his example. Other dogs of less 

 celebrity than these also came straggling in and made 

 themselves comfortable by the fire. While Alfred 

 heard these suggestions about retiring he said nothing, 

 but kept up a lively thinking, and about two o'clock 

 in the morning went down a little ways from the fire 

 and listened, and heard the familiar voices of Old 

 Troupe and Flounce in the dim distance, apparently 

 heading towards us. By this time nearly all the dogs 

 except Old Troupe and Flounce had abandoned the 

 chase, and as Old Spot drew near to where we were 

 standing Alfred called upon the owners of the other 

 dogs, who had talked so loudly about their prowess, to 

 " call out their dogs of high-sounding names and royal 

 lineage and let them join Old Troupe and Flounce and 

 be in at the death." And these gentlemen did rally 

 their dogs, who once more joined in the chase, but 

 they soon tired and returned to camp. Old Spot, with 

 Troupe and Flounce close behind him, circled near us 

 several times, and each time the rest of the several 

 packs would join in the chase, only to soon return in 

 apparent disgust. Old Cuff, however, proved himself 

 a stayer, and although unable to keep near the leaders 

 his great voice could be plainly heard a mile or so 

 behind during the latter part of the chase. Finally, 



44 



