142 THE BEST SEASON ON RECOKD. 



precludes full particulars. But though liouuds were 

 baffled at starting by a sheepdog, they never left the line 

 again, dipped into the Yale of Belvoir at Upper 

 Broughton, liung most of their followers up among the 

 wire by Nether Broughton, did the same in that horrid 

 and dastardly network by Sherbrooke's Covert (after 

 crossing the Broughton brook and causing much grief 

 also there), and swept into their fox in a big pasture 

 adjoining Hickling Church. As for as I can venture to 

 express an opinion, three heavy weights, Capt. 

 Townshend, the Duke of Portland, and Mr. Knowles 

 beat all the lighter men. 



A little story comes to light this week illustrating only 

 too lamentably the uncertain reward of humanity. All 

 sportsmen are by nature sympathetic and humane — even 

 though the feeling carries them quite as often with the 

 pursuer as with the object of his pursuit. Is not the 

 followinsr a nice instance of overstrained benevolence ? 



O 



His Lordship's hounds had their fox almost in extremis 

 — as may be guessed from the fact that he took refuge 

 in the outhouse of an old lady's cottage. TJie kindly 

 dame, perceiving his entrance, promply turned the key 

 — vowing that, come what might, the poor tired thing 

 should have a night's lod^'inii; and refm!,-e from his 

 enemies. Hounds and huntsmen bustled about her 

 tenement in vain inquiry ; while the old lady hugged the 

 secret and her key, and indulged in gentle chuckling 

 over her deed of mercy. The cruel marauders retired in 

 disappointment ; the good soul went to bed to dream of 

 charity and kindness to all creation — leaving her lodger 



