OLD FRIENDS. 189 



more, and the pressure became so dense tliat tliey could 

 neither open the gate out, nor rein back to release them- 

 selves from the cul cle sac. But they did get out at 

 last ; and scurried on above Wymondham, thinking to 

 ride for Garthorpe or Freeby, and with the greater part 

 of the pack by this time fairly free to hunt its fox in 

 peace. Wire, was the cry above the village ; Wire was 

 the same accursed sound, and siglit, beyond. (Is there 

 no man of influence and good-feeling in the parish of 

 Wymondham — or are they all cold-blooded and blood- 

 thirsty ?) Our fox was plainly in view as we ap- 

 proached the tirst murderous strand ; and he had gained 

 little on the hounds when we were penned by the 

 second snare. Two or three forward riders were all but 

 caught by the cruel wire ; some few others knew of, and 

 avoided, its propinquity ; and Mr. Alec Goodman in par- 

 ticular made an excellent cut, bv dashino: throuorh the 

 village and hitting a ford in the brook below. The body 

 of others, when extricated, found their path once more 

 barred by wire along the water. Rounding this by a right 

 detour, they squeezed through a buUtinch and forded the 

 stream — then sat down to ride for the fairest and quickest 

 ten minutes of the gallop. This brought them to Teigh, 

 to the very same farm whereat the Quorn killed their fox 

 last Kirby-Gate-day. Down the hillside at this moment, 

 and across the ri<rht front, came ]\Ir. Goodman, hat In 

 hand as he rode at the drairirled brush of the beaten fox 

 — one hound racing to the view, the others straining to 

 the w^arm scent. By the side of the railway, and past 

 Whisseudine station, went the fray — hounds somewhat 



