HILL AND DALE. 79 



steep stony road. But all the while hounds are speedmg 

 alongside and below us, enjoying the turf wliieh we can- 

 not reach, till under the gorse-covered slope of Wartnaby 

 Stonepits we can join them — only to be called upon 

 ao:ain to chest the bursting;: ascent. The best of backs 

 and lungs can scarcely cope with it, and retain strength 

 enough for the new cut fence and wide dug ditch on the 

 summit. A long, galloping bay succeeds in propelling 

 his lengthy forehand to terra firina ; but the striding 

 hindquarters that work so well on the flat are here a 

 mere incumbrance. However, the roll is in the right 

 direction — and the fence is beautifully less for the pant- 

 ing animals that follow. Now we hurry along the brow, 

 and round the plantation, to find hounds with their 

 heads up near the well-known edifice of Little Bel voir. 

 Two foxes have just been seen by the ploughmen. One 

 has turned back into the spinney, the other gone forward 

 towards Holwell Mouth. Nine times out of ten a well- 

 run fox is forward ; and ninety-nine times out of a 

 hundred he is down the wind. Some more casuals in the 

 lane aver they have headed the fox. But hounds still 

 declare him forward — and Firr wants no further evidence. 

 What is that dark speck skimming the stubble down in 

 the vale? What else is it likely to be but our fox? 

 Hounds run hard to the spot, to endorse the view ; and 

 now again would information, of another fox, have gladly 

 robbed the huntsman of his quarry. Hounds are deter- 

 mined to press on ; informant is equally determined that 

 the fox has turned up the hill for Holwell Mouth. Both 

 are doubtless risfht — but we had ever better trust nose 



