8 THE BEST SEASON ON RECORD. 



hounds bent sliarply and suddenly back to tlie left, and 

 soon recrossed the railway. All chance of a pomt, all 

 hope of a long straight run were gone ; but the pack 

 was still driving merrily. The hunt-servants readily 

 produced a key, and the railway scarce hindered a 

 moment. The next double was a sort of overgrown 

 earthwork — looking, probably, ten times more for- 

 midable now under its shroud of bramble leaf and tangle 

 than when Christmas shall show it out in its naked 

 ugliness. But Oxfordshire horses can decipher a ditch 

 and a double ditch of the most misty tracing ; so Stovin 

 and his following left it behind without loss of time or 

 numbers. A gateway girthdeep with overnight flood let 

 them through another stout double ; and soon, heated 

 and panting, they were i^ushing through a narrow wood 

 which the pack had already pierced. A few more fields, 

 a few more gates — then to ground in Weston village — a 

 circle almost completed — my little story told. Just 

 time then to catch the train. Just time now to save 

 the post. 



