AN AUTUMN GALLOP. 25 



corner — trusting that, as liitlierto, providence, and en- 

 lightened agricnlture M'ill liave provided free means of 

 egress from field to field. Yes, there's a nice stile for 

 the use of labourers and for people on foot — and well 

 used it evidently is, for the approach to it is worn into a 

 hole, and slimy cla}' has taken tlie place of grass. 

 Beyond this, the corner is a veritable cul <le sac ; for 

 lofty bullfinches, of an earlier generation, enclose either 

 flank — and despair settles upon our souk 



If you, reader, happen to have hunted in the Pytchley 

 country some twenty years ago, when that flying hunts- 

 man, and most rapid yet laconic of talkers, Charles Pain, 

 was in his prime, you may remember an. oft quoted 

 incident that eminently illustrated the man. Reaching 

 a certain corner, from wliicli the only apparent escape 

 w^as retreat — (the last alternative that ever occurred to 

 his mind) he found another hard rider just turning 

 reluctantly away. Charles Pain Avas one who suited 

 his words to his actions, the latter being quite as rapid 

 and ready as the former— so, taking his horse short by 

 the head, he pursued his w^ay without further ado, accom- 

 panying and explaining his progress only witli a single 

 running sentence, " Will do, Avill do — nuist do, must do ; 

 d — d woolly place— hold up, ye beggar — hey bitch ! " 

 Men who knew him in those days will easily fill in for 

 themselves the rapidity of the jerky utterances, and the 

 high treble pitch to which the last syllable would raise 

 him. Alas for the feelings of him who had turned aside ; 

 alas for the plight of those wdio would ride to his lead ! 

 Think you they found their situation any more palatable 



