ONE week's work. ]41 



distinct direction, and foster as tliey went. In ten 

 minutes more tlie inijuiry as to "where we were" went 

 in vain from mouth to mouth — so new aiid nnridden Avas 

 the region. We found our whereabouts for the moment, 

 as we passed above Wimeswohl vilhige and threatened 

 Cossington Gorse ; but speedily lost it again till some 

 single individual could explain that the village just before 

 us was Wysall. Hounds were driving very sharply now 

 — running for blood, their fox scarcely one field before 

 them. Well, his good fortune had a prior claim. And 

 there my story ends. 



On Thursday January ITtli, Mr. Coupland gave a 

 byeday at Prestwold to the Loughboro' ball-goers. The 

 Melton division also trooped in to join the colours ; and 

 the ]\Iaster could not do less than adapt his bill of fare 

 to the occasion created. So after Hoton New Spinney 

 he trotted on to Ellar's Gorse — but our old and worship- 

 I'ul acquaintance was not to be caught napping, even on 

 a byeday, and stole away as soon as he heard the caval- 

 cade trotting down the road. 



A brilliant burst from the Curate, however, retrieved 

 the day, and revived the sinking spirits of the weary 

 ones, who had trifled so unadvisedly with hours that — at 

 least while sport and weather last — should be devoted 

 only to carrying us forward from hunting-day to hunting- 

 day. I should have mentioned that a weak fox had 

 already been run into in ten minutes from Willoughby 

 Gorse. ]^ut the one from the Curate gave two and 

 thirty minutes' rapid and excellent fun, l)efure the pack 

 bowled him over in the vale by Hick ling. Post time 



