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diff --git a/old/52307-0.txt b/old/52307-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 11c2ffd..0000000 --- a/old/52307-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5039 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of a Foxhound, by John Mills - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: The Life of a Foxhound - -Author: John Mills - -Illustrator: John Leech - -Release Date: June 11, 2016 [EBook #52307] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND *** - - - - -Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - - - - - - - - - - -THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. - -[Illustration: THE MEET.] - - - - - THE - LIFE OF A - FOXHOUND. - - BY - JOHN MILLS, - AUTHOR OF “THE OLD ENGLISH GENTLEMAN,” “THE LIFE OF A - RACEHORSE,” ETC. - - THE FIFTH EDITION, - WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY - JOHN LEECH. - - [Illustration] - - LONDON - PHILIP ALLAN & CO. - QUALITY COURT, CHANCERY LANE - - First Edition 1848 - Second Edition 1861 - Third Edition 1892 - Fourth Edition 1910 - Fifth Edition 1921 - - Printed by WHITEHEAD BROS., WOLVERHAMPTON. - - - - - TO - HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS - THE PRINCE OF WALES - K.G., G.M.M.G., G.M.B.E., M.C., &c. - - -SIR, - -That fox-hunting is an ancient and honourable pastime all will agree: -ancient in that the fox was held to be a beast of venery by our -Anglo-Saxon ancestors, honourable because it is a sport that has ever -been associated with those excellent qualities of manhood which are the -prerogative of our race. That it is a royal pastime is equally plain: -for hunting has been regarded, in all ages, as the chief sport of Kings -and Princes. Indeed it is due principally to the encouragement and -protection accorded to it by the Royal House of England that the noble -sport of fox-hunting is in so flourishing a condition to-day. And so -it is both fitting and proper, Sir, that this, the fifth edition of a -notable contribution to our sporting literature, should be dedicated to -you who uphold so admirably the traditions of British sport. - - Your Royal Highness’s - humble, obedient servant, - THE EDITOR. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -Trimbush told his story--the story of his life--long ago, and a -generation of sportsmen having, probably, been succeeded by another -since then, the autobiography of that old and sagacious hound is -now presented to the notice of those who may have been denied the -opportunity of profiting either by his sage advice or experience. - -It will be conceded that, whatever egotism taints his arguments, -Trimbush was “a shrewd philosopher, having a why for every wherefore.” -He spoke of men and foxes as he found them; and if occasionally -somewhat too severe upon the commissions and omissions of the former, -he was equally ready, at all times, to show his teeth to the latter. - - - - -LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. - - - THE MEET _Frontispiece_ - - “HEAD AND HANDS WILL BEAT HEELS” 66 - - A CURIOUS FINISH 76 - - “HOLD HAR-R-R-D!” 100 - - - - -CONTENTS. - - - CHAPTER. PAGE. - - I. 1 - - II. 16 - - III. 39 - - IV. 51 - - V. 67 - - VI. 79 - - VII. 91 - - VIII. 102 - - IX. 111 - - X. 121 - - XI. 139 - - XII. 147 - - XIII. 158 - - XIV. 172 - - XV. 182 - - XVI. 193 - - - - -THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - -I had the excellent fortune, begins Ringwood’s memoir, to be put at -walk at a farm-house, where I enjoyed the treatment observed to all the -animals under the care and protection of the farmer and his wife--that -of universal kindness. Sweet milk, meal, and broth were my provisions; -and I never was without a clean, dry, and warm bed. Basking in the sun, -playing with the shepherd’s dog, following the men at work, and in a -complete state of perfect freedom, my early puppyhood passed. I mention -these apparently trifling circumstances, because so much depends, as -will be shown hereafter, upon the way in which we are brought up. I was -one of a litter of five, consisting of three brothers and two sisters, -and each had been placed at a separate walk; so that, until we were -sent to the kennel to be drafted, we had not seen each other since the -day of separation. - -Sorry as I was to leave my kind benefactors, still I felt no small -degree of pride as, on a bright, sunny, spring morning, I was led -into a court of the kennel, and met with greater admiration from the -huntsmen and whips than any other of the young entry therein assembled, -consisting of eleven couples and a half. - -“Upon my word,” said the huntsman, looking at me carefully from head to -stern, “I don’t think that I ever saw such a beauty in my life. Such -deep quarters, straight legs, round feet, and broad back are not to be -met with every day, mind ye.” - -“Look at them shoulders and elbows too,” rejoined the first whip. - -“And what a muzzle!” returned the second. - -“Bless’d if he ain’t perfect symmetry!” echoed the feeder, after a long -and silent gaze. - -“I _do_ think he is,” added the huntsman, emphatically. “Or if he -isn’t, _I_ can’t see a bad point in him.” - -“That shows what the walk will do,” said the feeder, an old grey-headed -man, pointing to four of our company. “Nobody would believe those were -of the same litter, didn’t they know it.” - -But for this I should not have recognised my brothers and sisters, who -certainly bore a very different appearance from that given of me by the -huntsman. As we appeared strangers to each other, I at once made myself -known, and inquired after their health and treatment since we last met. - -“Oh,” replied one of my brothers, snappishly, “I was sent to the -village ale-house, where I had to pick up my own living, and got more -kicks than good will. I was always in somebody’s way, try as I did to -keep out of it; and the consequence is, I can’t run a mile without -feeling as if my back’s broken. We don’t always die on the day we are -killed,” continued he. - -“As for me,” said my other fraternal relative--a mangy, -out-of-the-elbow, shy-looking, down-cast hound--“I was tied up from one -month’s end to another at a butcher’s shop, with nothing to eat but -the offal from the slaughter-house. I never, scarcely, was let loose, -except to fight with one of the bull-dogs or terriers chained in the -yard with me; but as I was always over-matched when I fought, and got -well thrashed when I refused, the end was the same in either case. The -best part of a hound,” continued he, “as the best part of a horse, goes -in at the mouth; and as none, since I was a sucker, has gone into mine, -I suppose I must consider myself no better than I should be; and I -fear,” concluded he, with a sorrowful expression, “not so good.” - -“Let me hope that my sisters were more fortunate,” said I. - -“We were together in the same village,” replied one, “although at -different homes. I was at the saddler’s and my sister at the miller’s, -and both shared the common hardships of being continually worried by -a set of idle boys. Stoned, hallooed at, kettles tied to our tails, -and all kinds of tricks were played upon us. Whenever anything eatable -was missed or stolen, it was invariably laid to our charge; so that we -could not even put our heads into a doorway without having a stick or a -broom flung at us. Day after day this was our treatment, and although -we did not suffer from a scarcity of food, yet from being obliged to -shift for ourselves in getting beds where we could find them, sometimes -cold, sometimes wet, and no system being observed in either our meals -or lodgings, we were seldom without lameness or ill-health of one kind -or other.” - -My sister was about giving the further details of their grievances, -when the second whip, a fine, young, athletic man, interrupted her -narration by observing that “he would draft all the litter but me.” - -“No, no,” returned the feeder, shaking his head. “You’ll not find the -Squire do that: we must keep ’em for their blood.” - -“Come,” added the huntsman, turning upon his heel, “they’re all in now, -and to-morrow will show what are to be entered. We’ve no voice in the -matter.” - -“And don’t want to have,” rejoined the feeder, “with such a master as -the Squire is.” - -Soon after my entry I was taken under the protection of an old hound -called Trimbush, and the favourite one in the pack. He had been hunted -six seasons, and, as may be supposed, was awake to every wrinkle. - -“Hounds, like men,” said he, one day, as we stretched ourselves -together in the shade of a large chestnut-tree overhanging the court, -“should first learn their duties, and then perform them. Now, young-un, -I’ve taken a fancy to you,” continued he, giving me a playful flip -with the tip of his stern; “and if you follow my advice you will save -yourself many a stinging cut from our Whip’s double-thong. He hits -terribly hard, I assure ye.” - -“Does he?” replied I, believing, in my innocence, that such a -good-tempered, laughing fellow would scarcely brush a fly from our -hackles. - -“So you’ll say,” continued my friend, “when you’ve tasted it.” - -“But I mean to avoid flogging,” I rejoined, “by obeying orders.” - -“Pooh, pooh,” returned Trimbush, testily. “Intentions are good enough; -but a fig for orders when the blood’s up! I don’t always obey them -myself, old as I am. However, as you haven’t yet viewed a fox, it’s no -use my mentioning anything about the field. We shall begin cub-hunting -in a few weeks, and then you will get a little insight as to what you -are to do there. In the meantime I’ll cut some notches in your memory -regarding kennel discipline, and relate a few peculiarities concerning -your companions.” - -“Thank you,” said I to the friendly offer. - -“In the first place I should tell you,” began Trimbush, “that the best -step to take at the outset is to endeavour to become a favourite with -those in authority over you. This is easily acquired, by doing that -which you are told cheerfully, and without the trouble of compulsion -being exercised. For it’s one thing to disobey an order when hunting, -and quite another in the kennel. We all love our huntsman, Will Sykes; -but he is very strict, and never allows a fault to pass without a rate -or the thong being applied. When called, walk up to him with your -ears thrown back smilingly, and carry your stern high and proudly. -Will can’t bear a hound to look like a sneak. Don’t be quarrelsome at -feeding time, or indeed at any other; for although family differences -will occasionally arise over the meal and broth, never be among the -first to cause them. I am far from meaning by this that you are not to -maintain your rights; on the contrary, you, like everything that lives, -not only possess them, but are bound, in self-defence, to support them. -There is as much danger, if not more, in always giving way to the -domineering of tyrants as in acting the tyrant yourself; although,” -continued Trimbush, with a growl at the reminiscence, “the results -proved the same here not more than three seasons since.” - -“How was that?” inquired I. - -“Why,” replied he, “in all packs there is a master hound, who lords -it over the rest just as he pleases. Now it frequently happens that -this master becomes a regular bully, and so worries and torments his -companions, that there is no living in comfort with him. We had a -governor of this kind three years ago, and what do you think we did?” - -“Can’t say,” rejoined I. - -“Killed and ate him,” returned Trimbush, with no more concern than if -speaking of the death of a rabbit. - -“Killed and ate him!” repeated I, horrified. - -“Ay,” rejoined he, “marrow, bones, and all, with the exception of his -head.”[1] - - [1] This took place some years since in Mr. Conyer’s kennel, at - Copthall, Essex. - -“Dog eat dog!” I exclaimed, scarcely believing the statement to be true. - -“It’s not an every-day occurrence,” coolly replied Trimbush; “but what -I’ve told ye is by no means a solitary instance, as you shall learn. -There was a shy, broken-spirited puppy entered the same season with me, -and whenever any of us began a bit of fun with him, he’d shriek and -howl ‘pen-an-ink’ just as if he was being murdered. This, of course, -led every one to take advantage, and the poor devil never had any peace -of mind or body. One day, however, when a few of us had pinned him in a -corner of the court, and were baiting him for sport, who should step in -but Ned Adams, the second whip. How he paid us off, to be sure! Not one -escaped but with every bone in his body aching fit to split.” - -“But it served all of you right,” interrupted I. - -“Perhaps it did,” rejoined Trimbush; “but we thought otherwise, and no -sooner had Ned turned his back than we commenced making a retaliation -upon the cur who had caused us such a drubbing. We had scarcely begun, -however, when Ned again made his unwelcome appearance, and flogged us -until every stroke from his double-thong seemed to soak right through -our bodies. Before the cock gave notice of the coming day,” continued -Trimbush, significantly, “Tricksy--for that was the name of the -hound--was disposed of so as to leave no trace behind.” - -“Eaten!” I ejaculated. - -“We didn’t leave,” replied my friend deliberately, and dropping his -words like peas from his jaws, “even his _head_.” - -“But why was this done?” inquired I. - -“The simplicity of infancy is truly refreshing!” observed Trimbush. -“There’s an adage, that a dead dog _may_ tell how he was killed,” -continued he; “but an _eaten_ one never can. Do you comprehend?” - -“Perfectly,” responded I. - -“From what I have said,” he resumed, “you must now be aware of the -policy of neither being overbearing to your fellows, nor too tame or -submissive to them. I am now master here, and this is the rule I both -teach and observe.” - -“And a very good one too,” I remarked; “but don’t let me interrupt you. -Pray proceed.” - -“You would find out in time,” resumed Trimbush, “but may as well profit -by my experience, and learn it at once, that most men who go with us -to the covert-side know little about hunting and less about hounds. So -long as their patience is not cramped with drawing blanks, and we go -the pace with heads up and sterns down, they are satisfied, and take -little further interest in us. Not one in fifty can tell even what -the points of a hound are; and as for understanding anything about -our habits and dispositions, they think that we are as much alike as -cherries upon the same stalk. So far, however, from that being the -case, we differ from each other in every respect as much as man to man -engaged in the same pursuit, and frequently inherit the peculiarities -of our fathers and mothers, as they do. You see that black-and-tan -hound basking in the sun?” - -“Yes.” - -“That’s Valentine. Now, his father, who was killed from a kick three -years ago, always trotted to and from kennel just under the huntsman’s -off stirrup, and Valentine does precisely the same. There’s Graceful, a -bitch in the next court--she invariably is the first home and the last -to covert, and her mother did the like before her.” - -“That appears to be innate laziness,” I observed. - -“No,” replied Trimbush. “So far from that being the case, there never -were better working hounds on earth.” - -“Then how do you account for it?” inquired I. - -“There are many things,” returned Trimbush, with the air of a -philosopher, “as clear to our vision as the sunshine at noon, and yet -their causes are hid in impenetrable darkness. I cannot,” continued he, -“tell why Graceful and Valentine should inherit the eccentricities of -their parents, but only see that they do so.” - -“Are these the only two instances coming under your observation?” I -asked. - -“By no means,” replied my companion. “I could recite a dozen others -of a similar nature, but I fear they might prove wearisome. You see -that badger-pied hound amusing himself by snapping at the flies buzzing -about him? Well, he is a nephew of mine, and makes it a rule, as his -father did, to carry home whatever part of the varmint that falls to -his share, and never eats it, unless there is a great chance of its -being dragged away from him, till he gets to the kennel door.” - -“Perhaps he wishes to show everybody on the road that he had a hand in -the breaking up,” said I. - -“I think vanity has something to do with it,” replied my friend; “but -if so, he inherits the pride from his sire, just as those peculiarities -I have named are inborn in others.” - -“I suppose, if these habits descend from parent to child,” I observed, -“that vices are also inheritable.” - -“Decidedly,” replied Trimbush, beginning to evince symptoms of -drowsiness. “Rioting, skirting, babbling, and all such-like faults, are -inheritable, and as much so as the defective points in symmetry.” - -“It appears to me somewhat harsh, then,” rejoined I, “to punish us for -them.” - -“That’s a matter,” added Trimbush, “I must leave to be decided between -you and Ned Adams;” and then turning upon his side he closed his eyes, -and a deep, low snore quickly proclaimed him to be in the land of -shadowy dreams. - -I found kennel life at first very tedious, and soon began to pine for -the farm-house, liberty, and a romp with the shaggy old shepherd’s dog. -I became so home-sick at length, that had the opportunity offered, I -should have run away; but when taken for exercise, I was always coupled -with a companion, and no chance given of an escape from my thraldom. -Notwithstanding the kindness of the feeder, in offering me food twice, -and occasionally even three times a day, I got thinner and thinner, -and instead of the sleek and bright coat which I had upon leaving my -walk, my hackles now began to stare and to look little less rough than -a badger’s skin. Trimbush, too, essayed to relieve me from my load of -misery, and recounted many a tale of interest to wean me from gloomy -reflections; but it was all to no purpose. I could not forget the -pleasures of home. - -“He’ll be right enough in a day or two,” said the huntsman to an -expression of regret from the feeder at my altered appearance. “Let -him go cub-hunting once, and he will not sulk another hour.” - -“I believe ye,” rejoined the feeder. “There’s too good blood in him for -that, after he has winded a fox.” - -“Well, then,” added the huntsman, “to-morrow at daylight we draw -Wiverton Gorse; and if it does not hold a litter, it will be the first -time since my servitude--a matter of twenty-five years and more.” - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - “But, look! the morn, in russet mantle clad, - Walks o’er the dew of yon high eastern hill.” - - -The dew fell, dropping from leaf to leaf, and hung on the greensward in -an endless succession of glistening gems. The mist floated on a light -breeze, scarcely strong enough to waft the wet spider’s film meshed -on sprig, and bough, and hawthorn spray. Mushrooms marked the rings -where the elves of the night had held their orgies, and the fairy’s -light--the glowworm’s lamp--still shone faintly on the moss-bank. Like -a bride, veiled but not hidden, the young, gay morning broke, with a -smile, the slumbering hours. Drooping flowers raised their petals, and -folded blossoms opened to her kiss. Wild and happy birds heralded her -coming, and all things of the day welcomed her. - -At daybreak we were on our road to Wiverton Gorse, accompanied by Will -Sykes, the huntsman, Tom Holt and Ned Adams, the assistant whippers-in. -I could not suppress the delight I felt in going to cover; and, instead -of the homesick and sullen feeling which I had had for a length of -time, I was ready to jump out of my skin with spirits. - -“Pray, keep quiet!” said Trimbush, in a reproving tone, as I galloped -to his side, and laid hold of one of his ears, by way of an invitation -to a romp. “Pray, keep quiet!” repeated he; “you can’t be too steady in -going to cover. Nurse your strength,” he continued, “until it’s wanted.” - -“I could race for thirty miles this morning, without a check!” replied -I, boastfully. - -“Pooh, pooh!” rejoined Trimbush; “that’s the way with you -young-uns--all brag and self-conceit; and when it comes to hard -running, where are ye in a brace of shakes? Somewhat in this form,” -continued he, hanging down his head, with outstretched tongue and -drooping stern. - -I laughed heartily at Trimbush’s acting a fagged and beaten hound; and, -although I had not seen one at the time, I subsequently learned that it -was a very faithful representation. - -“One would think, from that puppy’s gambolsome larking,” observed the -huntsman, pointing to me, “that he knows what he’s going about.” - -“Perhaps he do,” sagely returned Tom Holt. - -“How the devil should he?” rejoined Will Sykes. “Isn’t this his first -day’s cub-hunting?” - -“Yes,” added the first whip. “But don’t you think them dumb animals -have a language of their own? I’m blest if they don’t almost talk to us -sometimes.” - -“Ha! ha! ha!” laughed Will Sykes. “You’re a pretty kind of a Christian, -Tom. I suppose, by-an’-bye, you’ll say they sing hymns.” - -“I don’t see why they shouldn’t,” replied the imperturbable Tom Holt. -“At least,” continued he, “if they don’t, they’re a sight more sensible -than many of those that do.” - -“Come, come,” said the huntsman, in a correcting tone; “try back, Tom. -We shall have stones fall from the clouds presently, if you go on in -that way.” - -“It wouldn’t surprise me if they did,” replied the whipper-in, as cool -as a cucumber. “When so many folk, both gentle an’ simple, are building -castles in the air, it’s nothing but reasonable that some o’ the stones -should tumble.” - -“Ca-a-pital!” added Will Sykes admiringly. “I like a sharp and ready -tongue. But you don’t really mean to say, Tom, that you think hounds -have a way of speaking to one another?” - -“Yes, I do,” replied the whipper-in; “and have no doubt of the fact. -They have the sense,” continued he, “to understand what we say _to_ -them, and a great deal, in my opinion, of what we say _of_ them; and -it’s quite as natural, if not more so, that they should have a language -of their own, as it is for them to comprehend a foreign one.” - -“Your notions are queer ones, Tom,” observed the huntsman. “And you’d -have me believe, I suppose, that Ringwood there has been _told_ what -he’s going to do?” - -“Nothing more likely,” replied Tom Holt. - -We were now on the verge of Wiverton Gorse--an extensive brake of some -forty acres of high but not thick furze, except in patches where it had -been lately cut. - -“Don’t let a hound get away,” said the huntsman. “We’ll rattle the -covers well; but be sure and hold the hounds in.” - -At this moment Bluecap and Dauntless made an attempt to sneak away; -and, before getting a rate from Ned Adams, found his double thong -cracking round their loins. - -“That’s for not waiting orders,” observed Trimbush. - -“Cover-hoik! cover-hoik!” hallooed the huntsman; “Elooin-hoik!” and -into the brake we crashed like a flash of lightning. - -“That’s the dash of the old blood!” said the huntsman, as I rushed -through the gorse with the ambitious eagerness to find. “I’d bet a -season’s capping,” continued he, “that he takes as kindly to work as a -baby does to sucking.” - -“You’d better keep by me,” observed Trimbush, “and learn a little of -your business, instead of tearing your eyes out in that blundering, -stupid manner. One would think, if you were not a greenhorn of a puppy, -that a dying fox stood before ye, instead of not having so much as -found one.” - -But I was in no humour to be dictated to; and in spite of lacerating -the corners of my eyes, ears and stern, I flew right and left through -the furze, in the hope of being the first to challenge. In pressing -through a thick patch, I scented that which I instantly concluded must -be a fox; and, immediately afterwards catching a glimpse of something -spring across a ride, I threw up my head, and made the cover echo as I -dashed along the line. I was much surprised, however, that none of the -old hounds joined me, and that, with the exception of three or four -of the same age as myself, who merely gave tongue because I did, no -response or cheer was given to my efforts. - -In a few seconds we found ourselves through the brake at the farthest -corner up wind, and in close proximity to the dreaded presence of Ned -Adams. - -“War hare, puppy!” hallooed he, riding at me, and cracking his heavy -whip. “War hare! war hare! Hark back! hark back!” - -Learning that I had committed an error, I was not slow to obey the -caution, by getting out of the reach of the thong; although, as I -afterwards discovered, there was no fear of being punished for a fault -until it had been repeated. Scarcely had I again turned into the brake, -when my friend Trimbush gave a deep-toned note, announcing that a fox -was afoot. - -“Hoik to Trimbush!” hallooed the huntsman--“Hoik to Trimbush!” and, as -a bunch of hounds took up the cry, he added, “Hoik together, hoik!” - -Galloping on the line where three or four couple of the knowing ones -were feathering their sterns and ringing their music, I for the first -time winded a fox. Anxious to distinguish myself, I at once began -making more din about it than all the old hounds put together. - -“Don’t jingle your tongue as if you were currant-jelly hunting,” said -Trimbush, contemptuously, as I joined his side. “A workman,” continued -he, “never wastes his breath with too much whistling.” - -Feeling that there was truth in his chiding, I changed my tone, and -gave tongue only when my friend did. - -“That’s right,” remarked Trimbush, flattered at my observing his -dictate: “now you sound like business.” - -“Have at him!” hallooed Will Sykes. “Yoo-oo-it, hoik!” - -Hounds were now hunting in every direction of the cover; and it was -evident that several foxes were before them. - -“The vixen and the whole litter are a-foot!” I overheard the first whip -say. - -“Did you view her?” inquired Will Sykes. - -“Yes!” was the reply; “and she’s gone away.” - -“Then there’s a dog-fox behind,” rejoined the huntsman. - -“I thought so,” quietly observed Trimbush, stooping his muzzle to the -ground, and drawing, with infinite gratification to his olfactory -nerves. “I thought so,” repeated he: “a vixen, except she’s barren, -never carries such a scent as that.” - -“You know the difference, then?” returned I. - -“Ay,” rejoined Trimbush; “as well as if I had helped to break her up. -And so will you in a couple of seasons.” - -“But how?” asked I. - -“By experience,” replied my companion; “and from the natural aversion -most animals have to destroy anything with or about to have young. But -come,” he continued, “this is no time for talking, although we shall -be stopped from getting away if they can get to our heads in time. -However, keep close to me, and I’ll try to get a bat by ourselves in -spite of ’em.” - -“Who-whoop,” hallooed the huntsman. - -“They’ve chopped a cub,” said Trimbush. “Now’s our time, if Ned Adams -doesn’t head him back.” - -A succession of loud cracks from a whip followed; but no halloo was -given. - -“He’s gone away,” remarked Trimbush, with glee; “and we’ll be on good -terms with him. Stick to me.” - -Keeping close to my companion’s stern, I ran stride and stride with him -through the brake until we came to a corner of the cover where the fox -we were hunting broke away. - -“Now then,” said Trimbush cheerily; “up with your head and down with -your stern. Come along, the scent’s a burning one.” - -The instant that Trimbush was free of the cover, he laid himself upon -the line, and raced like a greyhound; I following in his wake. Hearing -the heavy stride of a horse in our rear, I turned my head to see who -was following. - -“Take no notice,” said the old hound: “If Ned gets to our heads--and -he’ll prick blood for it, I’ll be sworn--the sport’s all over with us.” - -“What the deuce does he want to stop us for?” inquired I. - -“Pooh,” rejoined Trimbush. “Rattle on.” - -The second whip came spurring on with the evident desire of reaching -us; but the faster he came, the faster we flew. - -“Ha, ha!” laughed Trimbush; “we’ll give ye a sob for it.” - -Along two open grass fields we led the whipper-in; and then, for more -than a mile, up a long, narrow lane, flanked by two high banks. - -“I haven’t carried a bit of scent since we left the turf,” observed I. - -“Nor I either,” replied my companion. - -“Then what’s the use of flashing on in this way?” I asked. - -“You’ve no cunning in ye yet,” replied Trimbush, “or you wouldn’t ask -such a simple question. However, so much the better. Craft in the young -is unwholesome; while, if the old don’t possess some, they have lived -too long unprofitably. Now, we have no time to stop, and if we had we -could do nothing with the scent on this hard, dry road: but having -found our fox _up_ wind, and as he turned _down_ upon breaking cover, I -know that he will _not_ turn again. We have, therefore, but to make our -own cast good one way; and then, in the event of not being able to hit -it off, to try the other to be certain of getting on the line--unless, -indeed, he should chance to head short back, which not one fox out of a -hundred will do, unless it is to die.” - -“But we shall have no chance of making a cast,” said I, “with Ned at -our sterns.” - -“I know the point he’s making for,” returned my friend; “and if we once -get clear of this everlasting lane on to the scrubs, I’ll forgive Ned -if he stops us this time. I _do_ like,” continued he, “a run o’ this -kind. There’s a spice about anything stolen.” - -Upon coming to a sudden turn in the road, Trimbush all but stood still -at seeing a flock of sheep in our way; who, upon our nearing them, -began scampering before us, and became wedged together like one solid -body. - -“The devil!” exclaimed my companion, making an ineffectual effort -to reach the edge of the steep bank, and reeling almost over in the -attempt. “No matter,” continued he, as springing upon his feet, and -rushing forwards, he galloped along the backs of the scared flock; and, -following his example, we cleared the impediment, and found ourselves -on the right side of a great obstacle to our pursuer, Ned Adams. - -“Now we’re all right,” said Trimbush, exultingly; “and we shall have it -to ourselves in spite of ’em.” - -The long twisting and twining lane led on to an open heath or -sheep-walk, covered here and there with patches of broom, furze, and -dwarf blackberry bushes. - -“We’ll first try down wind to the right,” said Trimbush; “for although -Will Sykes very often takes us just the other way, so as to make sure -the varmint hasn’t given us the artful dodge by slipping back on his -foil, it’s a bad cast except with a beaten fox, and generally widens -the distance between us and him. Always,” continued the old hound, -stooping his muzzle to the ground as he trotted cautiously along, “try -the way first you think he’s gone; and, having made that good, it’s -quite time enough to take the other.” - -On coming to some sloping, moist ground, Trimbush stopped, and, -feathering for a moment, threw up his head and made the air ring with -melody as he hit off the scent again. - -“We are all right,” said he, exultingly. “We’ll either kill or burst -him to earth.” - -I could now wind the varmint with my head stretched in the air; and it -was as easy hunting as a bagman sprinkled with aniseed. - -“There’s nothing like break-o’-day hunting,” observed my companion: -“the ground is cool and unstained; and there are no people about. Those -terrible enemies to our sport, shepherd’s dogs, too, are not often in -the way; and the hundred-and-one difficulties to be picked through at -noon removed.” - -“But we are not thrown off generally at this hour, are we?” inquired I. - -“Never,” replied my friend, “except at this season. In times gone -by,” continued he, “as I have heard tell, the meet used to be before -cock-crow; and often hounds would be waiting at the cover-side for -daylight. But fox-hunting, like most other things, has undergone a -great change; and instead of the old slow-and-sure system of occupying -minutes to find and hours to kill, we are now, taking the season -through, hours finding, and minutes killing.” - -“Which afforded most sport, do you think?” inquired I. - -“It’s difficult to say,” returned Trimbush. “Unless we go the pace, -men now consider that there is no sport whatever; but some years since, -the merits of a good hunting run had nothing to do with the time in -which it was done, like a horse-race. With a cold scent, stained -ground, and an unruly field--heading the fox, riding over us, and -hallooing at everything from a cow’s tail to a jackdaw--we frequently -pick through, and even hold it on with extraordinary keenness; but -seldom, indeed, do we get any credit for our pains. If, however, the -scent is breast high--as it is this morning, or I couldn’t talk to -you--and we fly along without a check, for fifteen or twenty minutes, -with blood for the finish, then there is no end to the praise, and -we receive nothing but commendation and renown. Not that _I_ am an -advocate for slow hunting:--for the enjoyment of sport, there must -be a dash, spirit, and fire; and in creeping along at snail’s speed -there can be neither one nor the other. But what I wish our admirers -and critics to understand is, that a fast run by no means shows our -qualities, but a slow one may do so; and often that both our praise and -our censure are equally unmerited.” - -“Still,” said I, beginning to pant for wind as we rattled up a steep -hill, with the scent improving, if possible, at every stride, “as -the old exploded system wanted that dash and spirit which, you say, -are indispensable for first-rate sport, there can be no doubt of the -present one being the most desirable.” - -“On the whole I think so,” rejoined my companion; “but that may be,” he -continued, “from not being practically acquainted with any other. At -the same time, ‘honour to those to whom honour is due;’ and my belief -is that our ancestors, the line hunters, _hunted_ their fox as well, if -not better, than we who now _race_ him down.” - -“Your judgment’s an impartial one,” returned I. - -“Good or bad, better or worse,” resumed Trimbush, “it’s no use arguing -about the matter: ’tis the pace now that’s wanted, and will be had. If -we can’t hunt, we must race; and the moment we’re at fault you’ll hear -a dozen tongues holloa:--‘Lift ’em hard, Will. That’s your time o’ day. -Chink-wink ’em along!’” - -“There’s no time given, then?” said I. - -“Time!” repeated Trimbush with a sneer. “I’ll just give ye an instance -of what may be deemed a fair sample of the patience of sportsmen of -the age we live in. One day last season we had been running a merry -bat, for about twenty minutes, as hard as we could split, and leading -the field over enough yawners to satisfy the greatest glutton or -steeple-chase rider that ever crammed at a rasper. The fox was dying, -and, heading short on his foil up wind, brought us to a momentary -check. ‘Hold hard, gentlemen!’ hallooed Will Sykes; ‘pray hold hard!’ -‘Consume me!’ exclaimed one who had been jamming his horse close to -our sterns; ‘what sport one might have, if it wasn’t for these d----d -hounds!’” - -“A pretty kind of a foxhunter, truly!” I remarked. - -“A faithful description of the majority, I can assure ye,” replied my -companion. “But I must not lose any more breath in talking to you,” -continued he; “I may feel the want of it.” - -I had already done so, but was too proud to let the symptoms be visible -in any flagging on my part. Desirous as I was, however, to maintain the -pace we had been going for some minutes, and over part of an enclosed -country with strong fences, I began to feel my strength failing, and -the absurdity of my boast of endurance becoming manifested. I now, in -spite of every exertion, dropped in the rear; and although Trimbush -cheered me to hold on, I could not but think there was a chuckle -of triumph in his often-repeated query, “Why don’t you come along? -Recollect what you said about thirty miles without a check.” And then, -as if to mock me, the old hound increased his speed, and, upon reaching -a wide and level common, ran completely out of view, leaving me alone -in my glory. - -For a short time I endeavoured to struggle forwards, but quickly losing -the line, and becoming bewildered and giddy from fatigue, I soon -staggered to a stand-still. Ignorant of my way home, and not knowing -what to do better, I gave tongue for assistance, and was heartily -glad to have my cry responded to by the loud barking of a shepherd’s -dog, whom I perceived with his master, in a valley at the foot of the -hill on which I stood. In a few seconds he came trotting up to me, -and mutual delight was experienced in finding that we were familiar -acquaintances, and had had many a game of fun together when I was at -walk at the home of my puppyhood, the hospitable farm-house. - -“What, Ringwood, lad!” exclaimed the shepherd upon approaching me, and -patting my sides, “is it you? Zounds, but it is!” continued he. “I’d -know thee anywhere, skeleton though ye be.” - -For that night I was housed in my old home, and the following day again -conducted to the kennel. - -“I wouldn’t have lost him for the whole entry,” said Will Sykes, -receiving me with a warm welcome. “I can’t think,” continued he, -turning to the second whip, who, I thought, regarded me with rather a -savage expression, “how you let ’em get away.” - -“I’ve told ye twenty times already,” replied Ned Adams, in a tone and -manner portraying his humour, “that the devil himself couldn’t get to -their heads. I did my best, and, like many o’ my betters, was beaten.” - -“Well, well!” rejoined the huntsman with glee, “it’s the first time -that I ever heard of a whipper-in not being able to stop a puppy, -cub-hunting. Ha, ha, ha.” - -“It was Trimbush, and not him,” returned the irate Ned. - -“Oh!” added Will Sykes, “It was Trimbush, eh? It wasn’t worth while -then, I suppose, to get to the head of one without the other, and -yet, if I am told rightly, it would have been a difficult job to have -separated them.” - -The second whip was evidently chafed at this bantering, and turned away -with a flushed cheek, and a tongue muttering anything but his prayers. - -Upon entering the kennel again, all my companions came round me, and -each, in turn, licked my torn ears and eyes, and were as kind and -friendly as if I had been a brother to each. - -“I am glad to see you back again,” observed Trimbush, raising himself -from a corner of the court, and stretching his limbs. “I began to think -some danger had befallen ye.” - -“No thanks to you for having escaped it,” replied I, somewhat sharply. - -“Oh!” rejoined the old hound, carelessly: “in a run it’s every hound -for himself, and a kick for the hindmost. There’s no consideration -then.” - -“What did you do with the varmint?” inquired I, anxious to learn the -result of our hunt. - -“Within five minutes of tailing you off,” replied he, “I ran him from -scent to view; and if he had not gone to ground, I’d have broken him -up without any sharers in the feast. As it was,” he continued, “he -was so hot and beaten that he couldn’t lie more than a few inches from -the mouth of the earth; and there we remained, with our red rags out, -panting and grinning at each other for hours. Now and then I had a -scratching dig for him; but finding that I could make no progress for -the roots, left at last reluctantly, and pointed for home, where I -arrived when the stars were twinkling.” - -“Did you see Ned Adams upon your return?” I inquired. - -“No,” replied Trimbush. “Mark, the feeder, was waiting for me, knowing -that I should be back in the course of the night, let the distance be -ever so great; and the good old fellow examined my feet and gave me a -good supper, without the least show of bad temper for having kept him -from bed.” - -“The second whip would not have treated ye so,” I observed. - -“Perhaps not,” returned he. “You mustn’t suppose, however, that Ned -bears any malice. He might feel vexed and chafed at not being able to -obey orders, but he always lets bygones be bygones.” - -In the course of discussion relative to the events of our stolen run, -and during which the remainder of our companions formed a willing -auditory, I asked Trimbush how he discovered the difference between the -scent of a dog fox and that of a vixen. - -“In the first place,” responded he, “it is never so strong; and when -she has either laid down her cubs, is about to do so, or has not left -off suckling, there is a peculiar odour with her which cannot be -mistaken. Now, most animals,” continued he, “as I observed yesterday, -have an aversion to kill those in any of the situations just described; -but I should have added, _when the purpose is to eat them_. For -instance, a stoat will not touch a rabbit when about to litter; but -a terrier would kill her in a moment. This is the reason that so few -birds are killed whose nests are on the ground. The weazel avoids the -partridge and lark whilst setting, and the fox passes the pheasant.” - -“What!” exclaimed I. “Won’t a fox snap a pheasant from her nest?” - -“Gamekeepers,” resumed Trimbush, “would tell you, ‘Always when an -opportunity presents itself;’ but I know better. A vixen, with a large -litter, and food scanty, will do so now and then, I don’t deny; but -what does she get? Skin, bone, and feathers--a most unsavoury morsel, -for which the cubs will scarcely care to fight. The mother knows this -well enough, and, unless driven to extremities, never takes any kind of -bird from her nest.” - -“The farmer’s wife tells a different story,” I observed. - -“The farmer’s wife, like the gamekeeper, is a sworn enemy to foxes,” -returned Trimbush, “and with equally groundless cause. If a single head -of poultry is missed, the robbery is always ascribed to a fox, and, -however devoid of foundation, never forgotten. The old trot dates her -subsequent life from the event, and begins her tale with, ‘About six -months after the fox took my duck,’ and so keeps the matter fresh and -vivid to the end of her days.” - -“One would think you were a preserver instead of a killer of foxes,” -said I. - -“Ay,” rejoined the speaker; “if it was not for preserving, we should -have no opportunities of killing.” - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - “We will, fair queen, up to the mountain’s top, - And mark the musical confusion - Of hounds, and echo in conjunction.” - - -Will Sykes was designed by nature for a huntsman. With a short stature -and wiry frame, he possessed activity, indomitable courage, patience, -and judgment. His voice, too, seemed to come from his heart, as he -cheered with lusty lungs; and his strong grey eyes encompassed a whole -parish, when he threw them forward for a view. Good humour sat upon his -lip, and there was a great secret in his possession, of being capable -of pleasing everybody without any apparent effort. Proud--perhaps a -little vain--was our Will of his exterior; but then there might be -sufficient cause; for although his short-cropped hair was grizzled -and frosted by time, and a few wrinkles--albeit the joint effects of -laughter and age--were stamped on his ruddy cheeks, few could boast of -a larger circle of admirers. Will could never pass through a village, -in pink and boots, but old women and young--but more especially the -young--and mothers and maids flocked to their cottage doors and windows -to exchange nods and friendly greetings with him. Ladies, too, of the -first degree acknowledged his polite lift of the cap with friendly -smiles, and, at convenient seasons, inquired after the health of Mrs. -Sykes, and took quite an interest in sundry other of his domesticities -and household economy. And was the huntsman’s better half--the plump, -the prim, the comely Mrs. Sykes--jealous of these attentions? By -no means. That excellent and discriminating person considered that -the favour in which Will was held by the gentle and simple might -be ascribed to her tactics and general measures of expediency; and -popularity, she had cogent reasons for supposing, had greatly to do -with the liberal capping so invariably bestowed upon the huntsman, -whenever his right and title to the gratuity accrued. Worthy indeed -is the care to be recorded with which the worthy dame bleached and -starched the cravat, folded and tied without a crease, around Will’s -neck. The white cords, too, stained as they have been in many a run, -with the mud flying in showers over them, are spotless, and without a -speck to note the wear and tear of bygone seasons. His tops also bore -evidence of a division of Mrs. Sykes’s accomplishments. Scratched and -rubbed, it is true, they were; but no erasible mark was permitted to -remain. His spurs, too, glittered again; and in short, “no baron or -squire, or knight of the shire,” had greater attention paid to his -toilet than had our huntsman. - -“Personal appearance,” observed Mrs. Sykes to Will, one evening, -sitting in a cozy corner of his parlour, in a dreamy, winking, blinking -state, lulled by the influence of a blazing yule log--“personal -appearance,” repeated she, somewhat louder, “is necessary for personal -respect; and unless we look as if we respected ourselves, it’s -unreasonable to suppose that other people will go for to respect us. -We must best know,” continued she, “our own in’ards; and if we show, -by our out’ards, that they’re all gammon and bacon, rest assured they -won’t pass as the _best_ of chitlins.” - -And was it for this, then--this worldly object--that Mrs. Sykes might -be seen on every succeeding Sunday, volume in hand, walking with -stately and measured tread along the path leading to the gray-mossed -and ivy-twined church? Was it for this that the ribbed silk dress -and most treasured bonnet were donned on the seventh day, when the -likelihood was great of many eyes beholding them? Was it for this that, -from the bright buckle in her shoe to the topmost ribbon stuck jauntily -to flutter in the breeze, Mrs. Sykes evinced such elaborate taste and -dainty care? Mrs. Sykes, like countless hosts of her betters, would -have been justly indignant had such prying interrogatories been put to -her for solution, however blandly they might have been effected; and -as there is no confession on her part, and no justifiable ground for -speculation in the replies, they must remain unanswered to the end of -time. - -Tom Holt, the first whipper-in, and consequently second in command, was -a very different _genus homo_ to our huntsman. As may already have -been learned from his expressed opinions and sentiments, he possessed -strange quirks and notions, and, to use his own graphic description of -his imaginary pedigree, might have been “a cross between a bull-dog -and a flat iron.” Much nice sophism might be used to support the -poetical origin of Tom Holt; but if volumes were written to define his -allegory more clearly, the end could not be more satisfactorily arrived -at than by briefly saying, “it can far more easily be conceived than -described.” Tom was a reflective man; he could not see an infant in its -mother’s arms without the endeavour to picture to his vivid imagination -how it would look when blear-eyed with age. A piece of thistle-down, -whirling here and there, now catching in a bramble, and then skimming -along in its varied, uncertain course, would make him think of “cause -and effect” for an hour. A dew-drop, a feather in the air, a film of -gossamer, often set Tom Holt “a-thinking” for the livelong day. He was -a dreamer, and had more strange fantasies, with eyes wide and staring -open, than a thousand such will-o’-the wisps fanned by the fairies’ -midwife, Queen Mab. And yet Tom Holt, although his face was pale and -thin, and his dark hazel eyes always bore a serious look, enjoyed right -heartily his duties, and all thereunto pertaining. He studied the -attributes and affections of the animals with which he had to deal, -and took little less delight in the cunning and subtle tricks of the -crafty fox than he did in the sagacity of his darling hounds hunting -him. Like many enthusiasts, however, Tom went very strange lengths upon -occasions; and it was generally reported in a wide ring in the country, -that he asserted, when “much wrought,” at the Duck and Gridiron, upon -a memorable occasion, “that a spider might teach a weaver more in one -hour, than he could learn in a seven years’ apprenticeship.” Be this -as it may, there is no doubt whatever that, upon Tom’s recovering -consciousness from a stunning fall, causing the blood to flow from his -nose profusely, he remarked, brushing a few of the sanguinary drops -from the tip of it, that, “he did not see why they shouldn’t be blue -instead of red.” This is an ascertained and acknowledged fact, and, -without further detail of his oddities and eccentricities, Tom Holt -must be left, like the cork against the tide, to work his own way. - -It appears indispensable--stale as the necessity may prove--to -introduce the persons spoken of previously to relating the scenes -and incidents in which they may assist. The second whip, Ned Adams, -therefore, must not be permitted to escape notice altogether, like -one of immaterial consequence and account; and although slight will -be the sketch of his virtues, vices, and tendencies, still, to render -that which is justly due is but to yield the very bare bones of common -honesty. As with the greater number of second whippers-in, Ned was a -connexion of the huntsman, and had the right--needlessly, be it said, -on the maternal side--to call him “uncle,” Ned’s uncle embraced divers -opportune occasions to impress upon his nephew’s mind the onerous duty -and essential service which may be performed by a whipper-in if he -will only _keep in his place_. “But,” observed the huntsman, “most of -you hot-blooded young ’uns are so eager to get for’ard, that ye forget -the first principles of what you ought to do, and instead of keeping -behind, to bring on the tail hounds, hang me if you don’t jam to the -sterns of the leading ones.” - -“It’s more than mortal patience can endure,” replied Ned, by way of -justification, “to stick in the rear on some occasions.” - -“But your duty, Ned,” seriously rejoined Will Sykes, “won’t bear -excuse. It’s as much your place to be behind hounds as it is mine to be -with them. In my judgment,” continued he, “there are but these couple -of proper causes for a whip to be seen for’ard:--when hounds are to be -stopped, and when ordered to clap to an open earth or hold a fox in -covert, if not on such terms that we can run him.” - -“But you seldom give me the chance of doing the last,” returned his -nephew. - -“And the less the better,” added Will Sykes. “It’s too much like -mobbing a fox to please me; but still there are occasions, as in -lifting hounds, to justify us in so doing. If the scent be cold and the -fox a long way ahead, so that hounds can’t hunt, we must, in order to -have any chance, get them nearer to him, and then it is that a whip may -get for’ard to the point and head him in.” - -“But this only applies to a fresh fox, I suppose?” said Ned Adams. - -“To be sure,” responded his uncle, “unless, indeed, he’s a dying -one: for then, as he can show no more sport, the sooner he is killed -the better. I’m one of the last men living,” continued the huntsman, -emphatically, “to kill a fox by either lifting hounds or any other -means, except by a fair find--a fair rattle from scent to view, and -pulling him down when he can’t run any farther. But it isn’t every day -that we can have such cream of sport; and for any one to say that it’s -unjustifiable to lift or assist hounds to run when they can’t hunt, or -that we should never hold a fox in covert, is to acknowledge himself to -be too tame a hand for a killer of foxes.” - -“Nobody will accuse you of being that,” rejoined his nephew, laughing, -“if they count the noses on the kennel-door at the end of each season.” - -“I hope not,” returned the huntsman, seriously. “I hope,” continued -he, “that when Will Sykes’s tally comes to be reckoned up and squared, -those noses will go in the scales with his morals, and make ’em kick -the beam.” - -It has been said that Will Sykes possessed a wide circle of admirers; -and therefore to be quite silent upon the matter respecting his -nephew, would be an act approaching injustice; for, although the -number was more choice, and--to be strictly correct--comprised no old -women whatever, yet there is no question but every pretty, young, and -unmarried one within the wide range of Ned’s jaunts and wanderings -might be fairly registered among them. And no wonder; for Ned was -spruce and handsome, and had soft looks, and yet softer words, for -those with whom he wished to be in favour. His jest and laugh, too, -were free and hearty; and where-ever he went, “Welcome” awaited him. - -The short sketches of those in immediate authority would still be -incomplete if Old Mark the Feeder was allowed to escape observation. -Whether he possessed a surname is a subject known only to himself; for -nobody ever heard him spoken of, or to, but as “Old Mark.” From infancy -he had been employed in the kennel, and owed his want of promotion -to a nervous inability to become a horseman. No exertions on his own -part, or those of others, could render him anything like competent -to ride to hounds; and the result was that, after a long and patient -trial to obtain this necessary accomplishment for a whipper-in, Mark -was compelled to abandon the design, and to fall back on his former -position. After this, no second attempt was made; and so years and -years rolled on, and at length discovered the failure of a whipper-in -in Old Mark the feeder. As may be supposed from his long experience, no -one knew more about us than he did; and the moment his practised eye -fell on a hound, he could instantly tell a defective point, let it be -never so trifling. Proud and enthusiastic in his calling, the courts -and lodging-houses were always clean, dry, and wholesome; and, late or -early, the old man never allowed the most insignificant part of his -duties to pass unfinished. The feet of each were carefully examined -after returning home, and if foot-sore, washed with bran, warm water, -and vinegar. A warm bath, too was also in readiness, and plenty of -clean straw to roll in for the purpose of drying. - -Little can be said of Mark’s outward man; for his back was -crooked--perchance from continually bending over the troughs and -copper--and his legs were lean and long, like a daddy-long-legs; but -one of the best attributes of human nature sat reflected in his mild, -open, honest face; and that was gentle kindness of heart. Oh! if the -world was more thickly populated with “Old Marks,” how many hearts and -hides would cease to throb with anguish! - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - “In the barn the tenant-cock, - Close to partlet, perched on high, - Briskly crows (the shepherd’s clock), - Jocund, that the morning’s nigh.” - - -With a yawn, a stretch, and a shake, Trimbush completed his toilet -one misty morning, just as a neighbouring cock had thrice thrown his -chivalrous challenge on the breeze, and invited me, with a crack of his -stern across my muzzle, to follow his early example of industry. - -“Come,” said he, “it’s time to be awake and stirring. How do ye fare?” - -“Hearty and hungry,” replied I, reluctantly arousing myself from a -dream of enjoyment. - -“Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Trimbush. “You’ll have to wait, then,” continued -he, “till sunset for a meal, unless you earn a share for yourself.” - -“How so?” inquired I. - -“This will be the first meet o’ the season, and your first day of -regular work. Mind,” said Trimbush, admonishingly, as he showed a -long row of very white and strong teeth, “to let me see that you have -profited by my lessons and the experience you’ve had in cub-hunting, or -your jacket may be well shaken when least expected.” - -“You needn’t begin to threaten,” rejoined I, somewhat indignantly, -“without any cause. A rate’s well enough,” I continued, “when a fault -is committed; but there’s no occasion to meet it half-way.” - -“True,” returned Trimbush, “quite true; and your remark only proves -that a young head may sometimes correct an old tongue, despite -what may be said to the contrary. One of the greatest faults with -all whippers-in,” resumed he, “is the rating us in anticipation -of our doing wrong; or, after committing it, before soaking in the -double-thong; whereas, they should wait until the cause is given, and -then--after blistering us with the flax--proceed to lecture upon the -impropriety of the conduct. It’s quite remarkable what effect a sound -drubbing has upon the memory.” - -“I shall not forget the first I received,” observed I. - -“But you’ll never repeat that riot,” significantly returned Trimbush. -“It was a christening not to slip through the memory as if it had no -knots tied in it.” - -“But then,” added I, “in coming across the slot of deer, the scent was -so sweet and grateful that I couldn’t refrain from carrying a head.” - -“Well,” said Trimbush, “like luxuries of other descriptions, you paid -for the enjoyment.” - -“And dear as the cost was,” replied I, “it’s very doubtful whether I -might not be inclined to have another flutter at the same feather.” - -“What! swallow a hackle of the dog that bit ye?” rejoined my friend. - -“It’s a common case, I’ve heard, with our betters,” returned I. - -“Right again,” added my companion. “Fire puts out fire.” - -“I suppose,” observed I, “that you’ve felt, before now, an inclination -to repeat an error, convinced as ye may have been of its impropriety.” - -“Ah!” exclaimed Trimbush, drawing in the breath between his teeth with -a hissing sound; “that I have. We are as clannish as Scotsmen, and -support each other through thick and thin, in the same mortar-an’-brick -fashion. If one of us is a marked and confirmed rebel, he seldom -repeats his fault without lots of company to back him. The season -before last, a hound was sent here from the north country, and as sulky -and ill-tempered a brute as was ever seen in a kennel. We all hated -him; and yet, strange as it may appear, upon Ned Adams attempting to -drive him from the lodging-house one morning, in consequence of his -refusal to come when called, he flew at him, and, fastening upon his -shoulder, was instantly joined by half the hounds in the court.” - -“I can’t understand that,” replied I. - -“The cause lies in our blood and bone,” rejoined my friend. “The -impulse with us,” continued he, “is paramount--to follow the leader -however wrong he may be in his example.” - -“And what was the finish of this attack on Ned Adams?” inquired I. - -“But for his lusty lungs for help,” replied Trimbush, “it might have -gone hard with him. However, Will Sykes, Tom Holt, and Old Mark -quickly made their appearance, and put an end to the fray with little -difficulty. As for our new companion, we never saw him afterwards.” - -“He was sent away, I suppose?” remarked I. - -“Yes,” returned Trimbush, “to dance in the air with a hempen cord round -his throttle.” - -“And no wonder, either,” added I, “for such an offence.” - -“Breaking up a whipper-in is certainly no joke,” said my companion. -“But there was one picked as clean as ivory once, without any -unpleasant interruption to the spread.” - -“Gracious powers!” ejaculated I, “what do you mean?” - -“Simply what I have said,” replied Trimbush, licking his jaws with a -peculiar relish, and coolly adding, “I had a hand in the supper.” - -“You?” I exclaimed. - -“Listen,” returned the old hound, checking my impetuosity, “and you -shall hear. I was not bred in this kennel, but came from the west at -the end of my first season. It so happened that about the middle of -this season, and when all of us were full of fire and devilry, our -regular whipper-in died, and his place became filled by a perfect -stranger to us. His cottage being within a short distance, he could -hear any quarrel or disturbance, and was ready to quell it at a -moment’s notice. Trifles light as air, I’ve heard, will frequently -cause the most vital consequences; and such was the case that I am -alluding to. A ray of the moon, streaming through a chink in the door -of our lodging-house, occasioned a hound of the name of Restless to -bay it. This broke the sleep of all; and in a few minutes a regular -fight began, each running a-muck and attacking friend and foe with -equal want of consideration. In order to quell the row, the whipper-in -made his appearance amongst us, as he quitted his bed, undressed; but -scarcely had he lifted the latch of the entrance, when--not recognising -his voice or his person--he was seized by the throat; and, before the -morning light, there was nothing left but a cleanly picked skeleton.” - -“I’m not surprised at his death, under the circumstances,” rejoined I; -“but to eat him!” - -“In my opinion,” added Trimbush, “that was the most innocent part of -the affair.” - -“And how,” said I, curious to learn further particulars, “how did he -taste?” - -“Take my word for it,” replied the old hound, in a tone and manner -conveying much conviction of the correctness of the assertion, “take -my word for it,” repeated he, “that with a little broth, daintier food -could not be eaten.” - -“Who was the first to discover the remains?” - -“Our feeder,” returned he. - -“And what did he say?” - -“Well!” added Trimbush, scratching an ear with his off hind foot, as -if tickled with the reminiscence which the question created, “I should -observe, in the first place,” continued he, “that Harry Bolton, our -feeder, was one of the coolest fellows that ever boiled a copper -of kit, and never known to exhibit the slightest astonishment at -anything. Whenever he read an astounding piece of news in the _County -Chronicle_--natural phenomenon, accident, or offence, or anything -sufficient to cause the generality of his neighbours’ hair to stand -on end was related to him--his short unchanging observation was, -‘Shouldn’t wonder!’ However, thought I, the ice of your surprise will -be broken at last.” - -“And was it?” inquired I. - -“You shall hear,” resumed Trimbush. “When Harry came to the kennel, as -was his wont just at break o’ day, and his eyes fell on the white bones -of the unfortunate whipper-in spread upon the ground, he continued -puffing a short black pipe, constantly between his lips, for a few -seconds in silence, and then taking it from them with a slow deliberate -movement, ejaculated, ‘Shouldn’t wonder! D--n me if they an’t hashed -the whip.’” - -“And was that all he said?” I asked. - -“Every word,” returned my companion. - -At this moment Will Sykes arrived mounted, accompanied by the two -whippers-in; and to his order, Mark threw back the door of the court -upon its hinges, and out we rushed with a chorus of merry tongues -ringing for our freedom, and the joy that we knew to be in store for -us. - -“Unkennelling hounds,” remarked Trimbush, as we trotted along the road, -side by side, “is one great illustrative fact of the difference between -high-bred and low-bred animals. A puddle-blooded mongrel, or one of low -caste, licks and fondles only the hand that gives him _food_; but we, -and all possessing similar tendencies, love him and those who show and -give us _sport_. See the difference with which we hail our feeder’s -appearance, and that of our huntsman. We have affection for both; but -there is no comparison between either the kind or strength of the -feeling.” - -“We may like Will, too, all the better,” I observed, “on account of his -not flogging us.” - -“A huntsman should never use the thong,” replied my companion. “It -should be his study to be on such terms of friendship and good-will -with his pack, that each hound is ready to fly to his voice like a bird -to her nest; and among the varied tempers and dispositions which he -has to deal with, this is impossible if he unites with his office the -duties of whip.” - -“I always feel inclined to head just the other way when I hear Ned -Adams,” observed I. - -“To be sure,” returned Trimbush. “The thrashed hound fears the whip; -and getting away to his cry of ‘for’ard’ is as essential as obeying the -huntsman’s horn; but the feelings for the two are far from being akin.” - -We now turned a sharp angle in the lane, down which we were gently -trotting: and on a large open piece of waste ground--the coarse grass, -patches of thistles and rushes, being cropped by a few donkeys and -a flock of desolate-looking geese--my eyes first saw the assembled -members of “our hunt.” - -Deny it who will--it is a heart-stirring, gladsome, inspiring, -_English_ sight, to witness a country gentleman and popular master -in the field. There are his friends and neighbours, his tenants and -yeomen, stout and true, his servants and dependents, met together for -a noble amusement, and one which unites them in the bond of goodly -fellowship. It has been well observed, “What is a gentleman without his -recreations?” and, to alter the query slightly, it might be said, “What -is a _country_ gentleman unless he be a _sportsman_?” Like a fish out -of water, a bull in a china shop, a bear in a tea-garden, or anything -else strangely awkward and much out of his element. - -There they were, in showy red and Lincoln green, in leather, cords, and -kersey drabs; white tops, brown, and black; hats, caps, and thatch; -some mounted and some afoot. From the high-mettled hunter with his -shot-silk and glistening coat, to the rough and shaggy tailor’s pony; -in short, all sizes, shapes, colours, and conditions, might be seen -congregated, expectant, and prepared for our arrival. - -“Here they are!” shouted an urchin, perched on the topmost limb of a -tree. “Here they are!” repeated he, hallooing to the stretch of his -lungs; and then a whooping crew of his fellows took up the cry, making -the welkin echo with their din. - -“Your servant, gentlemen,” said Will Sykes, touching the peak of his -cap; and during a short delay, waiting the arrival of the Squire, he -proceeded to point out the young hounds, making me an especial object -of notice. - -“What’s his pedigwee?” lisped a pale-faced gentleman in spectacles, -famous for riding hard along roads and over nothing but hounds at -check. - -“By Osbaldeston’s Furrier out of Crafty, sir,” replied the huntsman. - -“By Fuwier out of Quafty!” repeated the interrogator. - -“Yes,” rejoined Will; “and I’m much mistaken if he doesn’t equal the -celebrity of his father.” - -“What do you call him?” further inquired he of the ghostly countenance. - -“Ringwood, sir,” returned the huntsman. - -“Wingwood, eh?” added the questioner. - -“That’s one of the sort,” said Trimbush to me, “I was mentioning some -time ago. He comes out just to show himself and have an excuse for -wearing a red coat; but as for taking any interest in either the sport -or us, he fears the one and knows nothing of the other. A man, from -age, or other causes, may be unable to ride straight and live with us, -and yet take as much pleasure in joining the meet, nicking in, and -pottering on to the end of a run, as those who are in the first flight -from the find to the finish; but I am certain, from what I have seen, -that if a man is so naturally timid as to be afraid to ride to hounds, -he can never be--in the sense of the word--a foxhunter.” - -“And who is he?” I asked, pointing to a thick-set and jolly-looking man -in a green coat, and occupied in the act of taking up the girths of his -saddle. - -“A very different description of sportsman,” replied Trimbush; “that’s -farmer Stockdale, a tenant of the Squire’s, who has forgotten more -about hounds and hunting than the majority of men ever learn. You see,” -he continued, “that he’s making a careful examination of his horse, and -the few alterations necessary, whilst there is plenty of time; as none -but the greenhorns leave them to the last moment. I remember a man, -upon one occasion, tightening a curb-chain at the moment we unkennelled -our fox; and such were the impatient plunges of his horse, that he -could not mount him again in time to get away with us, and he never saw -an inch of the run--long and gallant as it proved.” - -My attention being turned to a young man superbly mounted, and dressed -with the most scrupulous care, I inquired of my companion if he was one -of the timid school. - -“No,” rejoined Trimbush; “_that_ he is not. From the delicate look -of his boots, breeches and gloves, one might feel disposed to imagine -that he was not in the habit of dirtying them; but so far from that -being the case, he is not only the boldest but the best rider in the -hunt--for the two do not always go together. It used to be thought,” -continued he, “by men of the old school, that a white top was the -certain mark of a he-haw, know-nothing, gal-drawing, watering-place -snob; but I have no hesitation in saying that the white tops of the -present day could show the dark and mahogany ones their heels without -the slightest difficulty, or more than ordinary exertion.” - -“You think, then, that men ride bolder and better now?” I remarked. - -“Without a doubt of it,” replied Trimbush. “The stamp of -horse--thorough-bred and up to the mark in condition--the pace we go, -and the modern style of _racing_ a fox down, require both bolder and -better riding than in the days when they found him at cock-crow and -killed him at noon. Not only is courage indispensable to be near the -‘sinking one,’ but hands, head, and heels must be exercised with the -best of judgment. I grin,” continued he, “to see a first-flight man, -after a fifteen minutes’ burst, blown to a stand-still; while farmer -Stockdale gives him the go-by with his goose-rumped, short-legged, -long-necked nag, just in the wind.” - -“And does that often take place?” I inquired. - -“Very frequently,” replied my companion. “Head and hands will beat -heels all the world over.” - -At this moment the Squire came trotting briskly up on his hack; and as -he rode through the throng, hats were lifted and salutations exchanged. -Our master, be it remembered, although an old English gentleman, was -not a gentleman of the old school. He neither swore the roundest oaths, -nor horsewhipped those whom he dared or could afford to pay; he boasted -not of the number of bottles it took to make him oblivious of sublunary -matters, or laughed only at the practical joke and coarsest jest. His -object was not to be the oracle of grooms and stable-boys, or the -subject of discussion in the village tap-room. With an affable bearing, -he possessed a kind and generous disposition, and a heart more ready to -befriend the deserving and destitute than to check the imposter and -depraved. His house was one wherein hospitality reigned the seasons -round; and it mattered not who were the guests, a hearty welcome -awaited each and all. In the pursuit, too, of his favourite sport, he -never permitted an injury to pass unrecompensed, although careful that -no false application should succeed. Not a gate nor a bar was broken, -a head of poultry lost _suspiciously_, or the most trifling damage -done, but what, instantly and liberally, amends were made. Sternly -discountenancing all unfair riding over wheat, young grass, and layers, -he was regarded by the farmers as a friend to their interests; and so -far from objecting to a fixture in their neighbourhood, they were glad -when it came to their turn. By proper and simple judicious means the -end is always attainable; and if those masters of hounds who complain -of a dearth of foxes, and opposition to their sport, would but take a -memorandum out of the note-book of “our Squire,” many a blank day might -be rendered as fruitful as the vine “clustering with a thousand rings.” - -[Illustration: “HEAD AND HANDS WILL BEAT HEELS.”] - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - “For easy the lesson of the youthful train - When instinct prompts, and when example guides.” - - -“I hope I’m to my time,” said the Squire, pulling out his watch. “Yes,” -continued he, glancing at the dial, “to a minute.” - -Immediately after the Squire’s arrival, we were thrown into the cover, -and, when about the middle of it, I saw Trimbush feather his stern, and -before I could reach him he threw his tongue, and, as he did so, Will -Sykes gave a cheer which Echo took pleasure to repeat. - -“Hark to Trimbush! Hark to Trimbush! Have at him! Whoop!” - -We clustered to him, and, poking my nose to the ground, I drew in a -scent which made every hackle on my body stiffen with delight. Up went -my head, and forth I sent some music that came from my very heart. - -“See that puppy,” said the Squire. “How he loves it.” - -“Have at him, Ringwood,” hallooed the huntsman, rising in his stirrups. -“Have at him, good hound!” and then, turning to the Squire, I heard him -remark, “He’s a perfect wonder, sir.” - -“Yes,” was the reply, “he’s the most promising I have ever seen.” - -We now got to our fox in a body, and crashed him through the cover. -Full swing we flew, and, as we swept out of the furze, I was astonished -to lose the scent which we had carried so strong up to the corner of -the brake, and flung myself here and there to pick it up again. Most of -us were sorely puzzled for a few seconds, when Trimbush, after stooping -his nose to the ground for some distance, down wind and up, along the -verge of the cover, said to me, “The artful dodger’s slipped back, and -shot into the brake again.” - -“Tally-ho! tally-ho! Gone away,” hallooed a voice from the farthest end -of the cover. - -“I told you so,” said Trimbush. “We were too close to him, and he -headed back to make the distance greater at the burst.” - -I now sniffed the scent again, and, thinking I was showing off, made as -much noise as I possibly could. - -“Keep your tongue still,” snapped Trimbush. “Like most puppies, -two-legged and four, if they possess a good voice, they seldom exhibit -equal good sense in using it.” - -Twing, twing, twang, twa--a--ng, went Will Sykes’s horn, as he jammed -his horse through bush and briar. - -“For’ard, for’ard,” shouted Tom Holt. “Get to him, hounds, get to him.” - -“Come along,” said Trimbush. “Stick to me.” - -“What a clean, fine, lengthy fellow he is!” I heard some one remark. -“His point’s Picton Brake.” - -“Yes,” replied another. “His brush must be two feet: and what a snowy -tag to it!” - -“Indeed!” observed Trimbush. “Then we’ll give it such a dusting as to -change its colour pretty quickly.” - -A bunch of old hounds flew out of cover with us, and, taking up the -scent, away we rattled in a body, as close as a swarm of bees. - -“They won’t over-ride us to-day,” remarked I. - -“Not if the scent lasts as good as it is,” replied Trimbush; “but -that’s doubtful.” - -For fifteen minutes we burst him along as hard as we could split. The -day was fine and warm, and, sinking the wind, the pace began to tell -most terribly upon some of us young ones. - -“I feel very choky,” said I, doing my best to keep my place. - -“Hold on,” returned Trimbush. “He must have crossed the Kulm stream, -and there we shall get a cooling plunge.” - -In a handful of seconds we neared the water, and dashed into it with as -much delight as a flock of thirsty ducks. - -“Now,” said Trimbush, “you’ll be able to reach the brake, where, I’d -bet my stern to a buck rabbit’s scut, he’ll hang as long as he can and -dare.” - -“Why so?” inquired I. - -“Why so!” repeated Trimbush, rather contemptuously. “Because he must -know by this time that he can’t outrun us. The scent’s too good, and -we got away with him on such terms that nothing but reaching a strong -earth, or changing to a fresh fox, can save him.” - -“We must try to keep to our hunted one,” said I, thinking it was -exhibiting some wisdom. - -“Try!” repeated my friend; “of course we shall try. We always do; but -it’s sometimes impossible to distinguish the difference between the -scent of our hunted fox and a fresh one. It’s easy enough, when a fox -is viewed, to know, because it can be seen whether he’s been shoved -along at the expense of his bellows and toilet; but our noses can’t be -depended upon.” - -As Trimbush said, upon gaining the brake we found the fox hanging in -it; and, although very hot, we gave him such a towelling, that, so far -from improving his condition, he had better have taken to his pads and -faced the open. I saw him a dozen times in cover, and his red rag hung -from his open jaws, and his brush dragged along the ground. We pressed -him up and down across the rides at a killing pace, and although there -was no bullying by holding him in cover, and every opportunity given -him to quit it, he still stuck to his quarters. - -“You shall either run or die,” said Trimbush, going through the cover -like a bullet. - -A clear, musical “Tally-ho” now echoed far and wide. - -“Gone away at last, eh?” observed my friend, and, throwing up his head, -he rushed to the halloo. - -“Hold hard!” roared the Squire, as one, too eager, rode nearly over me -as I leaped from the cover. “You almost killed, sir,” continued he, -“the best of my young entry, and perhaps the most valuable puppy I ever -bred.” - -“I beg your pardon, sir; but my horse pulls so, that----” - -“Then he is not fit to ride to hounds, sir,” hastily rejoined the -Squire. - -Being high on our mettle, we flashed forward, after just touching the -scent on a dry-lying fallow, thinking that we had struck on his line; -but Trimbush, and a few of the old hounds, soon found that they were -wrong, and, throwing up their heads, came to a check. - -“Let them alone,” said the Squire, as Will Sykes indicated a -disposition to make a hasty cast down wind. “Let them alone,” repeated -he. - -“He’s certain to be making for the belt of covers on the ridge, sir,” -replied Will, “and the ploughs are so dry that it is impossible for -hounds to carry it over them.” - -“Let them alone,” quietly rejoined the Squire. “Let them alone.” - -“When allowed to make our own casts, which we always should at first,” -remarked Trimbush, poking his nose to the ground, “we try down wind -first, because that’s the way foxes constantly run. It’s time enough to -cast up when we’ve made good the cast down. Humph!” continued he, as if -puzzled, “I begin to think Will’s wrong.” - -“What do you mean?” inquired I. - -“I don’t fancy he’s pointed for the covers on the ridge,” returned -Trimbush; “let’s see whether he hasn’t headed back,” continued he. - -We now tried up wind, and, sure enough, hit it off again under a -hedgerow. - -“Ha, ha!” laughed Trimbush. “He’s a sinking one, and has turned to die.” - -We now rattled on full swing over a common, and on climbing a steep -hill I saw a magpie darting to the ground and then rising high in the -air to swoop again. - -“What’s that chattering pie doing?” inquired I, directing Trimbush’s -attention to the bird. - -“Mobbing him,” replied he. “The magpie, jay and crow love to mob a -sinking fox. Keep your eye forward; it will soon be from scent to view.” - -“Are those covers strong?” I asked, seeing that we were making for a -long line of trees. - -“Little more than spinnies,” replied my friend. “He can’t hang in them -a minute.” - -We drove him through these little covers without let, check, or stop; -and at the last, out he flew in view of all of us. We rushed at him -like greyhounds from the slips; but, with a desperate effort to save -his life, he managed to dash round the corner of a barn, and, as we -turned, I saw him slipping along on the top of a thick square-topped -hawthorn fence, and, springing upon the trunk of a tree covered with -ivy, disappear. None of the others saw this artful dodge; but all -flashed forward, and were bewildered at not either viewing or being -able to hit him off. Trimbush flung himself here and there in a perfect -fury, and would not pay the smallest attention to what I had to say. - -“Put your nose down and work,” said he passionately, “don’t talk to me.” - -“But I tell you----” - -“Pshaw!” interrupted Trimbush. “What’s your head in the air for?” - -“Because the _fox_ is in the air,” replied I. - -“What do you mean?” asked he, seeing that I was serious. - -I then told him that which I had seen, and inquired what I should do. - -“Hold your tongue,” returned the artful old rogue; “it shows a wise -head, I’ve heard. Leave the matter to me.” - -In order to monopolize the whole of the credit to himself, Trimbush -galloped to the tree and dashed at it, in the attempt to climb the -knarled and knotted trunk. - -“What’s that hound about?” said the Squire, looking greatly astonished. - -I now saw that Trimbush would get all the praise of discovering our -fox’s hiding place, and felt greatly vexed with myself that I had not -gone at once to the tree and thrown my tongue. The rest now clustered -round the leader, who, managing to stick and cling to the ivy, got some -dozen feet from the ground. - -“He’s gone to tree, sir,” said Will Sykes, exultingly, as he threw -himself from the saddle. - -“That he has,” returned the Squire, scarcely knowing which to be--more -astonished or pleased. - -To the infinite surprise of the field, who came dropping up one by one, -they saw the huntsman drag a fox by the brush from a hollow in the -tree, and catching him by the neck to prevent the visitation of his -grinders, hold him up over his head with a halloo that might wake the -dead. - -“Who-whoop, who-whoop!” cried Tom Holt. - -“Who-whoop, who-who-whoop!” hallooed Ned Adams, in his good and choice -voice, which always had the effect of working us into a frenzy. - -“He’d give us a run now,” lisped a young gentleman in pink, “if he was -turned down and had a little law given him.” - -I could have bitten his head off. - -[Illustration: A CURIOUS FINISH.] - -“My hounds deserve their fox, sir,” replied the Squire. “He is beaten, -and nothing but an accidental escape--like this might have been--could -have saved him. There have been no unfair means used, from the find to -the finish; and the only illiberal, unsportsman-like act, would be now -to run the risk of robbing the hounds of that which they have justly -won and made their own.” - -Not exactly among us, but not far from where I stood--I think Will -did it on purpose to please me--the fox was thrown, and my teeth were -the first to fix themselves across his loins. I had been taught in -cub-hunting not to gripe elsewhere; but as it was, he gave me a nasty -pinch in the cheek. - -In a few moments afterwards he was given to us to be broken up, and -then somebody asked the Squire “if he would not try for another fox, as -it was early?” - -“No,” replied our master, shaking his head. “We are fifteen miles from -kennel. The hounds have had a good deal of fatiguing work in cover, and -are satisfied with a novel but glorious finish. I shall not run the -risk of tiring them more, perhaps for nothing, and doing away with that -spirit which the sport of the day must have given, I hope, to every one -present.” And lifting his hat, string high, he bowed and joined the -side of his huntsman. - -As we trotted along down a bye road, with our sterns well up over our -backs, and feeling as proud as peacocks, I heard Will Sykes remark, “It -was a good forty minutes, sir.” - -“Yes,” replied his master with a slight smile, “but it would not have -been so long if you had made that cast.” - -“If I had done _that_, sir,” replied the huntsman, dropping his voice -to a whisper, “if I had done that, sir,” repeated he, “_we should have -lost our fox_.” - -“Let them alone, eh?” rejoined the Squire, smiling more perceptibly. - -“Ay,” returned Will. “_Let them alone_ is a beautiful rule.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - “See, the day begins to break, - And the light shoots like a streak - Of subtle fire; the wind blows cold - While the morning doth unfold: - Now the birds begin to rouse, - And the squirrel from the boughs - Leaps to get him nuts and fruit: - The early lark that erst was mute, - Carols to the rising day - Many a note and many a lay.” - - -I woke the following morning soon after the first tinge of day had -streaked the east, and found myself terribly stiff and foot-sore. My -nose, too, was hot, and I felt very thirsty. - -“What’s the matter?” asked Trimbush, waking, as I gave a whine of -uneasiness. - -“I’m not well,” replied I, limping from the bench. - -“Oh, it’s nothing to care about,” replied he, yawning and stretching -his limbs. “Yesterday’s work has taken the steel and wire out of ye, -that’s all.” - -“It does not appear to have touched you,” rejoined I. - -“Me!” returned Trimbush, grinning so that he showed every tooth in his -head. “Do you know, youngster, what you are?” - -“Yes,” answered I proudly: “one who does his duty, and gives as much -satisfaction as any of you _oldsters_.” - -“Well, well!” responded he, “I must admit that you allow yourself to be -_taught_; and both the duty and satisfaction which you give at present -are concentrated in that one great and good quality.” - -Feeling somewhat humbled at this reply, and smarting under the -advantage taken of me the day before, I added sharply, “There was no -teaching me to instruct you how to obtain all the credit of the finish -yesterday.” - -“Hear, hear, hear,” said one of our companions called Chancellor. - -“At him again!” exclaimed a spaded bitch named Levity, and of the same -age as myself. “Take a suck at the lemon, and at him again!” - -“You’re a sharp lot,” replied the old hound, with a mingled look of -contempt and indifference, “a very sharp lot indeed. I couldn’t think,” -he continued, turning to me, “what made the tip of your stern curl over -your head and tickle your nose until now. I have heard of a French -poodle’s being so stiff in the bend that he couldn’t get his hind legs -to the ground; but hang me if your conceit is not about a match for -his.” - -“But you must admit,” observed Chancellor, “that without him we should -not have broken up our fox yesterday.” - -“Well!” returned Trimbush, “and supposing I _do_ admit it, what then?” - -“You should not have snatched the honour from him,” replied Levity. - -“Honour?” rejoined Trimbush. “Pooh! The honour was already gained -before we mouthed the fox. We all like blood for the finish--men as -well as hounds--but it does not follow that there may not be quite -as much credit due to both without a _who-whoop_ as with it. For -instance,” continued he, “if that youngster Ringwood had had his nose -to the ground--as he should have done the moment the fox was lost to -view, instead of occupying himself by stargazing--we should, in all -probability, have lost our fox. What would have caused us to have done -so? A mere accident, for which no one would have been to blame. And -what, let me ask, enabled us to obtain a more desirable result? Just as -accidental a circumstance. Honour? Fudge!” - -“At any rate,” said Chancellor, “I heard everybody praising what they -called your sagacity for discovering the fox in the tree.” - -“It’s the way with those fools of men,” replied Trimbush. “They often -laud that in us which deserves no praise whatever, and pass by in -silence some of our most remarkable accomplishments.” - -I felt that there was much truth in Trimbush’s argument; and although -a sly twinkle in his eyes led me to suspect that he made thus light of -my information for a selfish purpose, I lost a great deal of the vanity -which I hitherto had entertained from being the agent of so fine a -finish. - -“You chanced to remark yesterday,” said I, “that foxes constantly run -down wind. Why do they? Is it to render the scent less strong for us?” - -“Certainly not,” responded Trimbush. “The scent has nothing whatever -to do with it, notwithstanding what a parcel of cackling geese may -have said and written. The truth is, a fox is a timid, sly animal with -extraordinary quick ears and eyes, and a famous nose. When found, he, -of course, must break where there’s an opening; and as no men place -themselves up wind of us, or very seldom, that side is generally -left free, and away he rattles _up wind_ at the burst. I am now, of -course, speaking of the rule, and not the exceptions. He does not go -far, however, before he smells, hears, or sees something unpleasant, -which turns him either to the right or left. Another lurking cause of -suspicion that there’s an enemy in front, as well as those in the rear -turns him again, and so on until he gets his head straight down wind, -when, smelling and hearing nothing before him, he tries to make his -point and get out of the reach of our ringing cries, and, as he knows -full well--whetted appetites.” - -“That sounds reasonable,” remarked I. - -“Thank you,” rejoined the old hound, flourishing his stern. “I’m -flattered with your approval.” - -“I noticed that the scent continued to improve after the first ten -minutes,” said I, “until within a short time of running him to view, -when it seemed to gradually die and become more faint.” - -“It not only seemed,” replied Trimbush, “but it did so, and from -obvious reasons. Every animal with a skin--and I don’t remember at -this moment any without,” facetiously continued he, “smells stronger -when hot than cold. Fear often produces the same effect, but from -the like cause--as any excitement, whether pleasurable or the -reverse, produces physical heat. Now, after a fox is found, his scent -_increases_--although, from the state of the weather and ground, we may -not be able to hunt him a yard, nevertheless--so long as _exhaustion_ -does not take place; and then as he sinks, so does the scent -_decrease_. The reasons for this,” continued Trimbush, “are as simple -as they are indubitable. The perspirable matter escaping through the -skin augments for a time from exertion, and the devil of a fright he -is in from our rattling behind him: but this begins to die away after -excessive evaporation, and often has caused us to lose a fox scarcely -able to crawl.” - -“I thought the scent came from the pads,” remarked Levity. - -“And what made ye think that?” sneered the old hound. - -“I don’t exactly know,” replied Levity; “but certainly such was my -opinion.” - -“Then never express such a foolish one for the future,” rejoined -Trimbush. “If it came from the foot, how could we carry a good head in -a body, and each have a fair share of the scent? We should have to run -and follow each other in a string, and one or two might do the work, -after drawing, as well as twenty or five-and-twenty couples. Again, if -it came from the foot, how could we carry it through water? I say, and -ought to know something about the matter,” continued the old hound, -emphatically, “that the scent proceeds from the entire animal. The -back, belly, head, foot, brush, and--and--and--exactly so, and every -part else.” - -Old Mark was now heard approaching, which at once put a stop to the -discussion; and as soon as the good old man saw that I was lame he -examined my feet and washed them with something which he took from a -bottle hung by a piece of string to the button-hole of his frock. A -few others he served in the same way; and calling us each by name, let -us into another court, saying, “You puppies shall feed by yourselves -this morning; you all want a little nursing, I find.” - -Will Sykes entered soon afterwards, and, seeing Mark’s arrangement for -our comfort, observed, “That’s right; those puppies want taking care -of.” - -“Ay,” replied Mark, smoothing down my sleek ears and patting my sides, -“I hear some of ’em deserve it.” - -“That Ringwood,” rejoined the huntsman, “is more like a third-seasoned -hound than a puppy at the beginning of his first.” - -Old Mark’s eyes glistened again at this; and looking at me for a few -seconds as I lashed my stern to and fro and stared him full in the -face, to let him understand I knew all that was being said of me, he -muttered, “If a draft of hounds ever goes to heaven, you’ll be one of -’em, my lad.” - -All this praise tended to make me a little vainer than I otherwise -should have been, perhaps; but at the same time it fixed my resolution -to merit as much as I could of it. And I have often thought since, that -there is nothing like encouragement to the young and inexperienced. -The difficulties of attaining anything worth learning are always great, -and using harsh and severe means on the part of the teachers only makes -the attempt more painful and repulsive. Punishment is, occasionally, -indispensable for obstinacy or repeated offences; but there is nothing -like a cheer for improvement. - -After breakfast, and when we were all assembled in the court, -the subject of scent was again renewed by Levity observing, in a -confidential whisper to me, but which was overheard by Trimbush, “that -she very much questioned the correctness of the old hound’s opinion -concerning it.” - -“You question?” snarled Trimbush. “We shall certainly hear,” continued -he, “of mewling, puking babes teaching their grandmothers to suck eggs, -by and bye.” - -Levity looked abashed at this satirical remark, and, burying her nose -between her fore feet, appeared resolved to give herself to silence -bordering on the sulky. - -“There’s nothing so puzzling, nothing so difficult to comprehend by -the best and most experienced of us,” said Trimbush, addressing me, -“as the philosophy of scent; and yet, forsooth, we are to be told by a -babbling puppy that----” - -“Well, well!” said I, interrupting his irate speech, “don’t get in a -passion about a trifle.” - -“Right,” replied my friend, smoothing the bristling hackles on his -back. “Quite right. Life is made up of trifles, as the hours are of -seconds, days of hours, years of days, and ages of years. Life’s -trifles are the atoms in unity, forming the whole.” - -Not wishing to enter into a discussion of this sort, I led Trimbush -back to the original subject by saying, “I should like to hear a little -more about the philosophy of scent.” - -“There is little more to add,” returned he, “as far as I know. -Depending, as I have before said, on the weather, which changes -sometimes three or four times in a day, and the state of the ground, -the rule is, that it is invariably uncertain. In windy weather we are -often accused of being wild and flashy; but the fact is, that the -particles of scent being widely spread and wafted about, one hits it -here, another there, and we fly from one to the other, each thinking -that some are on the right line, and may slip away with it unseen down -wind. There is nothing more tiresome than a gale of wind in hunting, -both to us and men. We can’t hear each other, and they can’t hear us; -and it is matter of doubt to me which is the worst of the two--a thick -fog, or a blowing gusty wind. I may here remark,” continued Trimbush, -“that there is a strange fact connected with scent, which I have not -heard attempted to be accounted for. On the going off of a frost, we -can run the drag hard, right up to the kennel, and yet be unable to run -an inch afterwards.” - -“That seems very singular,” said I. - -“I suppose it to be,” resumed my companion, “that the scent clings to -whatever the animal rubs against or passes over during the night; and -having gone slowly, a greater portion is emitted, which is preserved by -the frost, and the thaw having loosened the particles, enables us to -take them up.” - -“But how do you account for not being able to run after he is -unkennelled?” asked I. - -“Because his skin is cold; and going at a greater pace, there is not -sufficient time for the small quantity of scent escaping to lie strong -enough to overcome the exhalations from the ground, occasioned by the -warmth of the day.” - -This sage reasoning on the part of Trimbush made me feel very small in -my own estimation, and I made up my mind to follow his advice for some -time to come, and listen rather than give tongue. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - “To hear the lark begin his flight, - And singing startle the dull night, - From his watch-tower in the skies, - Till the dappled dawn doth rise; - Then to come in spite of sorrow, - And at my window bid good morrow, - Through the sweet-briar, or the vine, - Or the twisted eglantine. - … - Oft listening how the hounds and horn - Cheerly rouse the slumbering morn.” - - -“I hate this meet,” observed Tom Holt, as we arrived at four cross ways -close to the market town nearest our kennel. “I hate this meet worse -than any we have in the country.” - -“It’s not a pleasant one, certainly,” replied the huntsman. - -“Pleasant?” repeated Tom. “In the first place there’s a nasty, close, -woodland country with banks as high as churches. Then we have a pack -of riff-raff counter skippers to over-ride hounds, halloo, head the -fox, and play the devil. And as if this was not enough for one blessed -day’s misery the Squire himself generally finds fault all day long with -everybody and everything, when the fixture’s at these four cross ways.” - -“We had better christen them the cross purposes then,” returned Will -Sykes. - -“I don’t mean to say,” continued Tom, without noticing the huntsman’s -remark, “but he may have--heaven knows!--lots of causes to put him out -of temper; still it’s rather hard to feel oneself suffering for the -faults of others.” - -“It is not an unusual circumstance, though,” said Will Sykes. “I have -often heard of similar instances unconnected with hounds and hunting.” - -Some of the field had arrived before us, and others were trotting -briskly up, the hoofs of their horses clattering along the roads in all -directions. - -“We must look out for ourselves to-day,” said Trimbush, “or there will -be cases for the hospital.” - -“They are a rough-looking set,” replied I, glancing at some thirty -horses, not one of which would fetch ten pounds, and all in a high -state of perspiration, with their riders puffing cigars and smelling -of all kinds of horrible mixtures. I felt quite ill, and a little more -would have turned my stomach. - -“If any of these gentlemen,” remarked Trimbush, sneezing, “of high rank -and particular smell, get down wind of us to-day, we shall not be able -to hunt a yard.” - -“What a dreadful thing it is,” returned I, “that men should make -themselves so offensive. I don’t suppose they have any noses, have -they?” - -“Can’t you see they have?” replied my companion. - -“But it doesn’t follow that they are any use,” said I. - -“Well!” added Trimbush, “as far as that goes I don’t think they are, -although I have heard of some men capable of smelling a rat.” - -A few of the gentlemen who regularly joined us now came up on their -hacks, and instantly afterwards their clothed and hooded hunters, -being led up and down by neatly dressed and light-weight grooms, -were stripped and mounted by their respective owners. The contrast -was strangely striking between these and the “roughs,” and, perhaps, -caused my admiration to be greater as I regarded each climbing into the -pigskin. - -Our master, as was his wont, and which should be that of every one -entitled to the dignity of a M. F. H., made his appearance to the minute -of the hour fixed, and, lifting his hat, saluted the field generally, -while he gave his hand, and exchanged warmer salutations with his -friends and associates. - -Our first draw was Pickton brake, a large furze cover about a mile -and a half from the meet, and there we trotted with the gratifying -expectation of a sure find. - -“Mind what I say,” remarked Trimbush, “if you don’t keep your eyes and -ears backward as well as forward to-day, you will have a dozen horses -go over ye and not a bone left in your skin unbroken. Be quick as -lightning, and if you flash over the scent, never mind; don’t throw up -and check if there’s a chance of being ridden over. I never do. It’s -not our fault if they won’t give us room.” - -“I’ll take care of myself,” replied I. - -Upon nearing the cover the office was given, and into it we dashed, and -shortly afterwards the whimperings in various parts proved that there -was more than one fox in it. I hit upon a drag and opened loudly, when -Trimbush reproved me, after poking his nose where I had mine, saying, -“Not so noisy, not so noisy. Let’s have a distinction between opening -on a drag, and a good hearty challenge when he’s found.” - -An old favourite line hunter, called Rasselas, now threw his tongue. - -“That’s it,” said Trimbush, flying to the cry, and taking it up, his -roar thundered through the brake. - -“Have at him!” hallooed Will Sykes. “Have at him, hoik. Hoik, hoik -together!” - -It was evident that a brace was on foot, and the Squire, looking more -serious than usual, desired that the field might move away from one -side of the cover and be quiet, otherwise there was a probability of a -chop taking place. - -About a minute afterwards, out came a fine, lengthy dog-fox. - -“Tally-ho!” shrieked a muffin on a hired knacker, and back the fox -dived into the brake again. - -“It is most strange, sir,” said the Squire, riding up to the side of -the offender, “that you should give yourself the trouble of hallooing, -I pay three servants to do that work, and, although I am extremely -obliged for your voluntary assistance, I shall feel much more indebted, -as will many of the gentlemen present, if, for the rest of the day, -you’ll hold your tongue.” - -I never saw a muffin so browned in the whole course of my life. If -he had been sworn at and called a parcel of hard names--which always -recoil upon the utterers of them--he might have been made more angry; -but nothing could be more effective than the rate from the cutting, -gentlemanlike tone and manner which accompanied it. - -In consequence of being scared with this halloo, the fox showed the -greatest disinclination to break a second time, and the day being very -warm, and the cover strong, we began to feel as if a spider had been -spinning cobwebs in our throats. - -“It’s choking work this,” said I. - -“Yes,” replied Trimbush. “There’s no wind here. Let’s press him as -hard as we can; for he feels it as well as us, recollect.” - -We now rattled him up to the top of the cover, and, crossing a ride, -Will Sykes viewed him, and giving us a ringing view-halloo, convinced -us we were on our hunted fox. - -“There’s a leash a-foot, sir,” said the huntsman, as the Squire now -came to his assistance. - -“Then get them as near to him as you can,” replied the Squire, “and -prevent them getting on the other lines.” - -Ned Adams now viewed the fox in a broad open ride, and hallooed, -“Tally-ho!” - -“Never mind,” said Trimbush, as I was about leaving the scent to fly -to the halloo. “Ned Adams, like yourself,” continued he, “is young and -cannot be depended upon. Keep your nose down; we are quite close enough -to carry him over the other lines of scent without changing.” - -Immediately afterwards I heard the Squire ask in a loud, angry voice, -“Why did you halloo?” - -“Because I viewed the hunted fox, sir,” replied Ned, touching his cap -deferentially. - -“Where?” - -“At the bottom of the ride, sir.” - -“And you standing at the top,” returned the Squire, “when you must hear -that the body is well settled to him, halloo them away. What could be -your object?” - -“I thought the stragglers----” - -“Would rather fly to their tongues than to your foolish halloo,” -interrupted the Squire, “or you ought to have thought so.” - -“You see,” added Trimbush, “I was right. But all young ’uns think they -know everything, and the study and experience of the oldsters go for -nothing.” - -We had now given him such a dusting that he could hang no longer, and -Tom, holding up his hat at the farthest end of the brake up wind, -quietly announced that he had gone away. - -Following Will, crashing through the furze, I heard Tom say to him, -“He’s just crossed the road,” pointing with his whip to the exact spot. - -We flew in a body to it, and, taking up the scent, away we went. - -“Get on,” said Trimbush, “and we may, perhaps, shake off the rabble and -have a run. It’s our only chance.” - -We carried a fine head across the first field of some thirty acres of -grass, and crossing two wide ditches--which would be called brooks in -some counties--we began to hope that these would prove of essential -service in stopping the mob. A blind bullfinch, too, increased our -sanguine hopes on this head, and we began to flatter ourselves that a -good day’s sport was in store, when we had to throw up and check. - -“That ploughman’s headed him,” said Trimbush, making a cast to the -right, “and he’s down wind as sure as I’m a foxhound.” - -He was right, and hitting it off, with an improving scent, we down with -our sterns and raced along at our best pace. A large flock of sheep -was before us, and, notwithstanding they ran some distance, we managed -to carry it through the stained ground, with a little careful picking, -without much loss of time. I saw Will Sykes in doubt as to whether he -should not cast us forward; but thinking, perhaps, of the sensible rule -of “letting us alone,” and as we did not throw up, he, luckily for -himself, kept his horn quiet. Had he twanged it he would have had the -Squire about his ears. - -As the ground was good and we had a turn of wind in our favour, we -set to work and soon recovered the little time lost through the sheep. -There was now every probability of having a glorious day’s sport. The -field had been thinned materially at the burst, and those with us were -not near enough to do any harm. - -“It will be short and fast to-day,” said Trimbush, exultingly. - -The scent was now a burning one, and we all bristled for blood. Across -three deep fallows we carried it in great force into and across a green -lane, flanked by two tall quicks, when suddenly the leading hounds -threw up. - -“What’s the matter?” inquired several, throwing up their heads. - -“Find out,” briefly replied Trimbush, doing his best to accomplish the -deed himself. - -In a few seconds the lane became full of horses; for it is wonderful -how courageous men are in spinning along the roads. Some came screaming -up and cracking their whips, and instead of sticking to our work we -began flying about in every direction. - -The Squire scolded, Will roared, Tom lost his patience, and Ned Adams -thundered out “Hold har-r-r-d!” until black in the face. - -[Illustration: “HOLD HAR-R-R-D!”] - -At this juncture, a fellow with his hat hanging by the string, his long -lank hair streaming in the wind, coat tails sticking well out, and his -horse’s head close to his chest, came tearing up the lane. Bang he went -against me, rolling me over and over like a football. I thought my back -was broken, and sung out with pain and fright most lustily. - -“William,” said the Squire, sternly. “Take the hounds home.” - -Will touched his cap, and the order was obeyed. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - “Oh! what avails the largest gifts of heaven - When drooping health and spirits go amiss? - How tasteless then whatever can be given; - Health is the vital principle of bliss.” - - -“Lick that stain off your flank,” said Trimbush, pointing to the dirt -on my side. - -“Why should I be so particular?” replied I, obeying his instructions, -“we don’t go out to-day.” - -“No,” rejoined he; “but the Squire’s coming to inspect us, and, I -suppose, you’d like to appear nice and comely in _his_ eyes.” - -“What do you mean by that?” I asked, applying my tongue more diligently -to the completion of my toilet. - -“You’ll see in a few minutes,” added Trimbush, “and if everything -isn’t in gingerly order, I’ll bet a week’s meal and broth, those will -hear of it who are responsible for their neglect.” - -The greatest neatness and cleanliness were always observed in our -kennel; but I noticed old Mark had put a polish on his shoes, and a -white neckerchief was tied, with much skill displayed in the bow, round -his throat. Will Sykes, too, Tom Holt, and Ned Adams, upon entering the -court, exhibited more care than usual in their dress on non-hunting -days. - -The huntsman, glancing round and seeing all was unobjectionable as -far as his hope and belief went, pulled a watch out of his fob, and -observed that “the Squire will be here in seven minutes three-eighths.” - -“Can you time him to a second?” said Mark smiling. - -“Ay,” replied Will, “it doesn’t require a gauge to do that with his -rules.” - -As a distant clock was striking, the bell rung at the kennel door. - -“I said so,” remarked the huntsman, and upon opening it he lifted his -hat, and in walked our worthy master. - -“Now for my frock,” said he, and one as white as snow was brought by -old Mark, who was sensitively jealous of the privilege of assisting -the Squire to make his kennel toilet. - -When attired he proceeded to the boiling-house, examined the boiling -flesh, coppers, and everything belonging to that department. Then -turning into the feeding-room, he looked at the troughs and expressed -himself satisfied with the perfect order that all things were in -belonging to this. - -In going to the lodging rooms, Will Sykes said, “How would you like to -have them drawn, sir?” - -“Each hound singly,” replied the Squire, “and the entry first.” - -It was some little time before it came to my turn; but when my name was -called out I sprang, and as soon as I made my appearance, the Squire -took a piece of biscuit from his pocket and throwing it to me, said -“Here Ringwood, beauty,” and caressed me kindly. - -One or two of my young companions evinced some temper and jealousy at -this, and growled deeply with up-reared hackles. - -“Come, come,” hallooed Tom, correctingly, and a crack from his thong -soon silenced the grumblers. - -“His nose is hot,” observed the Squire, touching my nostrils, and -standing a few feet back followed up the remark by saying, “What is -that redness on his flank?” - -“A little heat, I think, sir,” replied the huntsman, making a more -careful examination of me. - -“Then cool him,” was the reply, “and let him stay at home to-morrow.” - -I was very sorry to hear this order given; for although I felt far -from being in health, I was anything but disposed to be placed on the -hospital list. - -Being passed forward to the others, Vanquisher was summoned, and the -Squire noticing him limp, said, “What is the matter with that hound? -He’s lame.” - -“He has cut his near fore-foot a little,” replied Will. - -“Let me see,” rejoined our master, and upon lifting it up, said, “He -has sprung a claw, and _you_ ought to have known it.” - -The huntsman’s face became a little flushed, and he looked as if he -felt the rebuke keenly. - -There was no further remark of censure after this, and when the entire -presentation had been gone through with, the Squire took his departure, -expressing himself perfectly satisfied and content with the general -arrangements of the establishment. - -“I’m not going out to-morrow,” said I to Trimbush, with my spirits down -to zero. - -“Never mind,” replied my friend; adding, by way of consolation, that he -would give me a good account of the day’s sport. - -“Yes,” rejoined I, “but that’s a poor makeshift for the disappointment -of not joining in it.” - -“Well, well!” added he, hastily. “We can’t have everything as we could -wish, and must make the best of crooked matters when they occur. I dare -say,” continued Trimbush, “that the blow you received the other day, -with the fright, may have put you out of sorts.” - -“Probably,” said I, “and I wish the fellow----” - -“Pish, pish!” interrupted my companion. “You might as well wish him -good as wish him evil. We have no more power in the one case than in -the other, and it’s old womanish to snap your teeth when you can’t -bite.” - -“I heard a man say, when we were out last,” said I, resolved to take -advantage of Trimbush’s present loquacious humour; for the old hound -spent most of his time in a sort of dreaming, winking, blinking state -in the kennel, and was excessively out of temper if disturbed, “I heard -a man say when we were out last,” repeated I, “that he liked to see a -flying hound, and would hang every line-hunter that was ever bred.” - -“He must have known a great deal about fox-hunting,” replied Trimbush, -with a sarcastic grin, “a very great deal indeed. I should like to have -his name and address.” - -“Of course he was wrong,” observed I, with a slight touch of the -interrogative in the remark. - -“Wrong?” repeated Trimbush. “Ha, ha, ha! It makes my old sides ache -again. What would the flying, flashy devils do when the scent fails at -head if it was not for the line-hunters? By a line-hunter, I don’t mean -one of those old pottering fools who stick their noses to the ground as -if they intended them to take root there; but a hound, that when he has -stopped long enough to satisfy himself that he is on the line, holds -forward, and occasionally feels for the scent. That is what I call a -_killing_ line-hunter, and is a guide and pilot for the pack. Often -will you see the flyers with their heads up and sterns down, and no -more notion of stooping than a flock of stray pigeons, flash a field or -two over the scent, and then back they turn and follow the line-hunter -in his cast, and the moment he touches it, at him they dash, catch it -up, and away they race again. But who gets all the praise?” continued -the old hound, “Why, those who did none of the work.” - -“The Squire would give the applause to whom it was due, though,” -replied I. - -“Yes, yes, yes,” rejoined my companion, “and so would every true -sportsman; but where there is one who understands fox-hunting as a -_science_, there are five hundred who know no more about it than -un-hatched tom tits. There are foxes and circumstances,” continued -he, “that will beat the best huntsman that ever cheered a hound or -blew a horn; but in nine cases out of ten the cause lies in not paying -attention to the line-hunters. Hang every line-hunter that was ever -bred! Ha, ha, ha!” and the old hound’s laugh of derision rung through -the courts and lodging-houses far and wide. - -“I am very glad you told me this,” returned I; “for I began to think, -from what I heard, there was nothing so likely to insure the praise of -the field as having one’s head in the air and flying like a bird.” - -“Nor is there,” added Trimbush. “But who cares for the praise of a set -of fools? I’d rather have one ‘Yo--o’ from our master, or a ‘Hark to -Trimbush, have at him, hark,’ from Will Sykes, than all the yells and -whoops from the greatest mob that ever met by a cover-side.” - -“That’s true,” said I. “There’s no pleasure to be had from their cheer.” - -“Only last season,” continued my friend, “some fellow who was dressed -as if he knew better, absolutely cheered a second-season hound babbling -the moment he was in cover. ‘Softly, softly,’ hallooed Will, cracking -his whip. ‘Why, it’s a challenge,’ said the gentleman in pink. ‘Yes, -sir,’ replied Will, ‘such a challenge that will cause him to have a -hempen cord put round his throat to-morrow morning. We’ve put up with -his noise long enough, and longer than the Squire would have done had I -obeyed his orders strictly.’” - -“And was he hung!” inquired I, feeling a cold shiver run through my -veins. - -“Yes,” replied Trimbush. “He was led out of the court the next day, -with a rope round his neck, to suffer for his repeated offence. It made -us very sad to see him taken away; but no caution or punishment could -break him of the habit, and his example was a shocking one for the -young entry.” - -“I’ll take great care not to acquire such an one,” said I. - -“Several made the same remark,” replied Trimbush, “and some, who were -rather prone to indulge in kicking up a row for nothing, made serious -resolutions to avoid doing so for the future, when the fate of the -babbler was witnessed.” - -“It was necessary, I suppose, for the discipline of the pack?” rejoined -I. - -“Ay,” added the old hound, “if it were not for strict discipline we -should be as ungovernable, wild, and useless as a lot of untamed -tigers. Indeed,” continued he, “I’m not certain that the tigers -couldn’t be turned to greater advantage.” - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - “Cold grew the foggy morn: the day was brief: - Loose on the cherry hung the crimson leaf: - The dew dwelt ever on the herb, the woods - Roared with strong blasts, with mighty showers the floods. - All green was vanished, save the pine and yew, - That still displayed their melancholy hue, - Save the green holly with its berries red, - And the green moss that o’er the gravel spread.” - - -It was the last day of November, and, consequently, the concluding -one of the first month of regular hunting, that I was left at home -in consequence of indisposition. The huntsman had given me the night -before a dose of something which tasted horribly bitter, and I tried -to reject taking it; but, from my position between his knees, and his -ramming a bullock’s horn half down my throat, I was obliged to swallow -the nauseous mixture against my will. Between the effects of this, and -the mortification of being deprived of the pleasure of a day’s hunting, -my spirits became sadly depressed, and I could do nothing but creep -about the court whining, and feeling as miserable a dog as any on four -feet. - -The day was very windy, and the light clouds, looking like fleecy wool, -scudded before the gale, charged with rain; but with the exception of -a few drops which occasionally fell, there was nothing as yet but the -threatening of the flooding storm. - -Sighing, moaning, whistling, screaming--now in fitful gusts, then in -one solid sweep, mighty nature’s breath snaps the tree top and rends -up the gnarled roots of a century’s growth. On, on, he goes. Bough, -branch, twig, and leaf--clinging like affection to the dead--he -whirls and scatters in his stormy path, and with mad delight flings -destruction in his wake. O-ho for the wind. Away, o’er heath and waste, -and through dark and deep woods, and by lone churchyards, humming -through ivy-twined belfries, and jarring rickety casements, shaking old -hinges, and ripping up thatched eaves and roofs, he holds his course, -like a fiery unchecked steed. O-ho for the wind. Breasting the wave, -he drives the surge high, and higher yet. Rolling mountains, topped -with white and hissing foam, duck from cresting clouds to the wide -chasms below. O-ho for the wind--death to others is fun to him. A ship! -Boldly she braves his mighty thrust. Again. With one fell swoop, and, -quivering, down to the depths she sinks. O-ho for the wind. - -It was late in the day, and darkness began to drop around before there -were any symptoms of my companions’ return. At length I heard the -welcome clink of the horses’ feet along the gravel road leading to the -kennel, and shortly afterwards old Mark threw open the door, and in -they trotted. - -“Well,” said I, as Trimbush entered “what sport?” - -“Oh!” replied he, “none at all. Such a wind as this,” continued he, “is -as bad as a blind fog or a hard frost; for the result is just the same. -We can do nothing with a fox while it lasts.” - -“I didn’t think of that,” rejoined I, “or I should not have been so -envious of ye all day.” - -“Might as well have been at home,” returned the old hound, in a -grumbling humour. - -“You found?” said I. - -“Of course we did,” he replied. “We never get a blank day. They are too -staunch and true preservers in _our_ country for that to take place.” - -My companion was now called to take his turn in the warm bath, which -Mark had prepared, and after his body and limbs were well laved, he was -ordered into the lodging-room, where there was plenty of clean straw to -roll in. - -“There’s nothing like this,” said Trimbush, rubbing his back, with all -his feet in the air. “There’s nothing like this,” repeated he, “after a -cold, wretched day. It warms one’s blood, prevents rheumatism, and is a -real blessed preventative to many disorders. I like my bath as well as -my meal.” - -“You are no bad judge,” replied I, laughing. - -“I should say not,” returned he. “I should say that I was anything but -a bad judge between what’s good for us and what is not.” - -After all had been washed, and each had enjoyed a good tumble among the -straw, Mark summoned them to the feeding-room, where a bountiful meal -was ready for their sharpened appetites. When this was finished--and -it did not occupy many minutes--they were conducted to another -lodging-house, so that there might be no damp or chill remaining from -the wet straw in the one used as the _drying_ apartment. Nothing could -be more perfect than all the arrangements made for our health and -comfort, and yet, in themselves, they consisted of little more than a -simple method of doing that well, which would have occupied quite as -much time and trouble in the end to do badly. - -“There,” remarked Trimbush, with his ribs sticking out as if they were -well lined within, “now I feel comfortable, and at peace with all the -world.” - -“Except the foxes in it,” replied I. - -“Oh!” rejoined he, “I have no enmity towards them. It’s the combined -joy of finding, running, and beating them, and the pleasure of----” - -“Eating them,” added I. - -“Well?” continued he, as if weighing the sentence, “I suppose we may -say that, too; but I am rather doubtful about it.” - -“About what?” inquired I. - -“About the eating part of the business,” replied he. “It’s true that -we break up a fox, and swallow him as if we loved his carcase better -than any other kind of flesh. But, in my opinion, it is more from -the excitement we are worked into than from any desirable flavour he -possesses. A fox is too near ourselves for him to be considered proper -food for our stomachs. It’s approaching particularly close to dog -eating dog.” - -“But that you did once,” said I. - -“Yes,” responded Trimbush, carelessly, “I know I did, and might again, -under similar circumstances. It only shows,” he continued, “what we -will do when in a rage or in an excited state. There is nothing with -life, from an elephant to a cockroach, but we would have a shy at.” - -“Then you don’t believe that we really love the varmint as a dainty -morsel?” rejoined I. - -“No,” returned he, “I think not. Fancy, for instance, your killing and -eating the poor little vixen chained just outside the kennel door.” - -“Ugh!” said I, disgusted at the thought. - -“Does not that prove what I say?” asked my companion. “We pass her -continually in going out and coming in, and yet not one of us ever -thinks of making a meal of her. But if the fox was our _natural_ food, -we couldn’t help doing so, and the first opportunity that presented -itself she would be digested victuals.” - -“But, perhaps, the fear of getting a good drubbing may operate as a -check to the inclinations of others,” observed I. - -“If that were the case,” replied he, “how is it that the hounds, which -occasionally come home by themselves hungry, never make the slightest -attempt to injure her? Nothing would be easier than to kill and eat the -fox without the smallest risk of being discovered.” - -“There’s great force in your argument,” I remarked. - -“I flatter myself that there generally is,” returned the egotistical -old hound. “Now, look at a cat with a bird,” he resumed, “the cases -are very different. Whether the bird is wild or not--let it be on the -tree or in a cage--she will be equally disposed to make it her prey. -Birds, like mice, are her natural food; and she, therefore, takes them -without any other motive than to please her palate; but foxes, not -being ours, we require the ardour of the chase to make them agreeable -to _our_ tastes.” - -“What do you think would be the effect if we were not allowed to break -the fox up?” inquired I. - -“That we should be just as eager to find, run and pull him down,” -replied he. “You hear sometimes of men talking about hounds wanting -blood. It’s all nonsense. We may want to _kill_; but hounds never flag -from want of _blood_. All highly bred dogs like _us_ love sport, and -we hunt for the enjoyment of it; not for our bellies. But men are such -selfish beasts, and think so much about eating that they can’t give us -credit for being more disinterested than themselves.” - -“You are very severe on our masters,” rejoined I. - -“Not more so than they deserve,” returned Trimbush. “Not one in a -thousand of ’em thinks for himself; but just repeats that which he’s -told, and so they go on babble, babble, babble, with about as much -meaning and sense as a flock of cackling geese. It’s a strange thing, -too,” continued he, “that what they see in one case, forms no precedent -or guide to their addlepated brains in another. I don’t mean to compare -pointers, or setters, or greyhounds with _us_, of course; but they -never get blood, and yet they take as much pleasure in their work, and -are as eager to find game, as if every bird shot over them was plucked, -roasted, and served up in rich gravy, on silver, for their suppers. -Now, it is quite clear that they don’t hunt for blood, and, therefore, -why should we? It is true that we look for it at the finish from habit, -and because we are cheered even to take it, and I never feel wilder -than when Tom and Ted are _who-whooping_ over us; but, to say that we -absolutely require _blood_, is all nonsense.” - -“But the more we kill, the greater kill-devils we become,” said I. - -“That’s true,” added my companion. “As in everything else, the supreme -gratification lies in securing the object sought to be gained, and -the running into our fox is ours. The same rule would apply to our -killing but seldom, and consequently being generally disappointed, as -to pointers and setters having very few birds shot over them. Continued -mortification would render all much less ardent for the work, in -consequence of the dearth of the great _climax_ to sport; not from the -covetous, greedy, piggish, grovelling want of the material to lick our -chops.” - -Finding Trimbush getting warm upon the subject, I thought it better not -to provoke the discussion further, and made no reply. The old hound, -however, continued to abuse mankind in general, for some minutes, for -entertaining such a low estimate of our motives in the chase, and wound -up his observations by saying, “It’s not to be wondered at; for true -sportsmen are born, like poets--chaps with as much music in their souls -as we have in our tongues--now and then; but fools come into the world -every second.” - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - “For with a sigh, a blast of all his breath, - That viewless thing, called life, did from him steal.” - - -We were trotting leisurely to cover, one morning, when I remarked that -Trimbush was more serious and silent than usual. - -“What are you thinking about?” said I. - -“We’ve got our work cut out to-day,” replied he, “and I was just -turning a few matters over in my brain, to untie some of the knots and -difficulties which always beset us when we draw Berry brake.” - -“Is that our first draw?” said I. - -“Yes,” returned my companion, “and a sure find. For the last four -seasons we have challenged the same fox, and, as he lives, I need not -say that he has, hitherto, beaten us.” - -“But how?” I asked. “He must be something extraordinary to beat ye -four whole seasons.” - -“He is,” added Trimbush: “but he must be more than _that_, even to live -till sun-down to-day.” - -“Tell me all about him,” said I, “and what your plans are; for I see -your mind is made up for mischief.” - -“Why, in the first place, then, I should tell you,” replied my friend, -“that Berry brake is the strongest cover I ever was in. It cuts our -chests and sterns, and makes our heads swell terribly, to get through -at any pace. The scent, too, is very good in it, and from having given -Old Charley some good dusting, he will not hang a moment now. This, in -so far as the strength of the cover is concerned, is all the better -for us; but he is so wary that he bolts at the slightest noise, and -has taken to his pads long before Tom has been even able to occupy his -station at the upper part of the cover. Whatever his tactics may be, -however, he invariably breaks away fresh, and with a good start, and -being as strong a fox as ever stood before hounds, he has managed to -outrun and beat us up to this time.” - -“Is he a big one?” I inquired. - -“I have viewed many a one in my day,” replied Trimbush; “but never -did I put eyes upon such a wolf-like looking animal. He’s as black as -thunder, and as long as a rope-walk. You can’t mistake the devil’s own, -as Will Sykes christened him, if you chance to view him; but we have -not done so for the last six times of hunting him.” - -“View or no view,” rejoined I, “we’ll stick to him.” - -“For a month, if we can but hunt, yard by yard, inch by inch,” said the -old hound, with fixed determination expressed in his proudly erected -head and lashing stern. - -“You’ve got some manœuvre or artful dodge in store for him, I know,” I -remarked. - -“I have,” responded my companion, “and you shall not only hear what -it is, but shall join in the scheme. As I told you a short time -since, most foxes hang in cover as long as they dare or can. It is -their nature to screen themselves as much as possible, and they -face the open only when compelled and pressed. A fox that has been -often hunted, however, is of course more shy than one who has not, -and the devil’s own, having invariably met with a precious rattling -whenever he attempted to thread the covers, never hangs fire now, but -sweeps straight through them. In order to be on good terms with him, -therefore, we must act in the same manner, and to lose no precious -second of time, remember, that the moment we reach a cover, the chances -are a hundred to one that he is already through. If not, we shall -instantly know that the pull is in our favour by his hanging, for, if -it was not for the general rule of foxes hanging in covers, they would -serve us, in nineteen cases out of twenty, as the devil’s own does, and -run us clean out of all scent.” - -“Being so crafty,” returned I, “I’m surprised that they don’t depend -more upon that which would save them, _their speed_.” - -“The reason is this,” added Trimbush. “Although much faster than we -are, and with power of equal endurance, they cannot bear the heat of -the day as well as we can. It should be recollected also, that we have -rested the night before, and commence our work with empty bellies in -the morning; but the fox has been on the pad foraging for food when we -were asleep, and, perhaps, is gorged at the moment we unkennel him. He, -therefore, feels himself in no condition for racing, and tries all his -cunning to elude us in preference to facing the open. I don’t know,” -continued he, “how the devil’s own regulates his meals; but I fancy he -must sup early, and go to bed long before cock-crow.” - -At this moment Will Sykes glanced round, and hallooed, “Give them more -room, Ned, and let them empty themselves.” - -“Ay, ay,” replied Ned, checking his horse to leave greater space -between himself and the huntsman. - -“That’s right,” observed Trimbush. “There should always be plenty of -room between the second whip and the huntsman, so that we may not be -hurried when we want to stop.” - -“Then you intend,” said I, resuming the subject, “then you intend----” - -“To fly straight to the farthest end, or opposite side of every cover -he points for,” interrupted he, “and especially the moment we are -thrown into Berry brake, in order to be on good terms with him at the -burst. It’s our only chance,” continued the old hound, “and if he -beats us to-day, with the ground in the order that it is, and this -mild velvety wind, hang me if I shall have any hope of breaking up the -devil’s own.” - -“Have you made known your plan to any of the others?” I inquired. - -“Yes,” replied my companion, “two couple and a half of the right sort -stand in with us, and it will go hard but we’ll give a better account -of him than he has met with yet.” - -We had not to travel far to the meet, and soon after Trimbush ceased -speaking we came in sight of it. The Squire had just trotted up on his -hack, and was dismounting at the moment of our arrival. - -“Well!” said he, addressing Will Sykes, “is the devil’s own to beat us -again to-day?” - -“He may, sir,” replied the huntsman, giving a cursory glance at us, as -if to direct his master’s attention to the draft; “but if he does, I -shall think Tom’s suspicions are right.” - -“And what are they?” asked the Squire. - -“That he bears a charmed life,” replied Will, “and no hounds ever bred -could run into him.” - -Our master laughed heartily at this, and said, “We must try to break -the charm.” - -I felt all on fire as the cover appeared, and could scarcely refrain -from dashing after Tom when he trotted off to take his station. -Trimbush, seeing my impatience, said, “Gently, my lad, gently. There’s -nothing like spirit; but wait for orders, and never yield to the -impulse of committing a breach of discipline.” - -Notwithstanding this reasoning, however, I could see that he had enough -to do to keep a check upon his own inclination to break away. But our -impatience was not kept long upon the stretch. Will was as anxious to -begin as we were, and no sooner had the whips taken their places than -he threw us into cover, but without the slightest noise being made. -There was not so much even as the crack of a thong. - -“That’s right,” said Trimbush, going like a bullet through the furze, -“although I should not wonder but he’s gone.” - -The hounds, instructed by Trimbush, and agreeing to adopt his -proceedings, were Dashwood, Hector, Loyalty, Wildboy, and Rubicon, all -old friends of his. We went together in a body full swing, more as if -we were flying to a view halloo than drawing a cover, and just when -about the thick of it, a whimper from Chancellor announced that the -devil’s own was afoot. - -“Tally-ho!” now rung from Tom Holt’s throat. - -“Shoot to the right,” said Trimbush, leading, and in a few strides we -were outside the thick, almost impenetrable gorse. - -“Tally-ho, tally-ho!” again hallooed Tom. - -“Come along,” said the old hound, “we are close to his brush this time -at any rate.” - -Racing to where the whipper-in stood with his cap in the air, we picked -up the scent and found it sweeter than fresh-pulled flowers. - -Settling to him, and with a bunch of our companions, who likewise made -play to the halloo as we did, away we rattled at the pace which only a -burning scent and hounds bristling for a kill can show. - -For an hour-and-a-half we burst him along, and not one fox in a -thousand could have stood before us for such a time and over such a -country, in which there was not so much as a spinny to hide him; but he -kept on at just the same rate, and a halloo, every now and then, told -us that he was only just a-head. Several of us were tailed off, and -some never reached the main body at all. The burst was so quick, that -the field, too, couldn’t get well away with us, and the consequence was -that nearly all the horses were run to a stand-still before getting -their second wind. - -“I begin to think,” said Trimbush, still the leader of the chosen few, -“that his point’s Gretwith rock, and if so, there’s not a bush to hold -him for fifteen miles as straight as the crow flies.” - -“He can’t last the distance,” replied Rubicon. “We shall run him from -scent to view in less than another mile.” - -“So I think,” rejoined Wildboy. “His red rag’s hanging from his jaws -worse than mine, I know, and that feels like dried chalk.” - -“We shall come to soil presently,” returned Loyalty. “There’s the Loam -stream not far a-head.” - -“Egad!” added Dashwood, “but I wish it was in my next stride. I’m -blistered with thirst.” - -“I shouldn’t be surprised,” said Trimbush, “to find him try an artful -move at the Loam. Be careful, my hearts, and don’t flash forward on -the opposite bank. Feel for it as you go, and make good inch by inch, -rather than be in doubt. We shall save time by the trouble.” - -Thus schooled, we took especial care, upon refreshing ourselves in the -Loam, to follow the instructions given, and our first cast was along -the verge down stream, which, also, chanced to be down wind. - -“This is his line,” said Trimbush, evidently puzzled, “and yet----” - -“Let us try up wind,” interrupted Dashwood, “he may have headed, as -he’s a sinking one.” - -“You flatter yourself,” returned the old hound; “he has as much life in -him as will serve to test your pluck and powers for an hour to come.” - -“But he may have headed back,” observed Wildboy. - -“He _may_,” quietly added Trimbush; “but make your work good as ye go. -I think,” continued he, “that we have cast to the right, which was the -probable line, far enough. Now let us try the left.” - -Will Sykes, Ned Adams, and the Squire, now came in sight; but their -horses could not be spurred out of a trot. Their heads were between -their knees, and their tails shook as if they must drop off. - -“How beautifully they work,” I heard the Squire say as he threw himself -from the saddle. “Let them alone; pray let them alone.” - -We had now made the cast as far to the left as we had done to the -right, and yet we could not hit him off. - -“I’m sure he’s headed back,” said Wildboy, confidently. - -“We’ll try,” replied Trimbush; “but I doubt it.” - -“It’s now quite clear,” said the Squire, as we failed to touch the -scent in our track, “that the hounds can make nothing of it. They have -had a fair trial; now let me see what you can do, William.” - -Will threw his strong, keen eye forward, and his ears were pricked for -any halloo or indication of the line of the fox; but nothing appeared -to enlighten him. He then out with his horn, and was about making a -wider and more forward cast than we had made down wind, when Trimbush -sprang into the stream, and swam to a small patch of sedge and grass, -not a great deal bigger than a man’s hat, and apparently scarcely -large enough to hold a rat, when bang the fox sprang from the middle -and away he raced, whisking the water from his brush like a maid -trundling her mop. We rushed at him in a body, but might as well have -attempted to get to the head of a stroke of soaped lightning. - -“A trick worthy of the devil’s own,” said Trimbush, laughing, “but I -proved a match for him this time.” - -“How was it that we could not carry the scent down stream?” inquired -I, as the devil’s own became lost to view over the brow of a short but -steep hill. - -“Because,” replied my companion, “he reached the water some seconds -before ourselves, and swimming so far _down the stream_, he gained the -little bank of mud, where he squatted, with all the scent _washed away -from him_. We could, therefore, carry it no further than where he took -water, and as he did not break from it, the reason is obvious for our -being unable to act otherwise than we did.” - -“I can’t think how you came to suspect that he had laid up there,” -remarked I. - -“I never knew a fox to do so before,” returned the old hound. “Soil is -about the only dodge a stag has to try his cunning at; but a fox rarely -hangs in or about water. I, however,” continued he, “was prepared for -any trick with the devil’s own, and my anticipation of a deep one -proved correct.” - -We now came to a more enclosed country, and the fences greatly added -to our momentarily increasing distress. The hounds dropped off one by -one, and some, attempting to jump the steep and wide ditches, fell into -them, and there laid, not having strength enough to crawl out again. - -It was fearful work, and how I managed to stagger forward is a -mystery to me to this day. Trimbush did his best to cheer us on, and -continually reminded us “that a kill was certain if we only stuck to -him a _little longer_.” But this “little longer” appeared to be a very -indefinite period. - -The winter day was waning fast. Objects at a short distance began -to loom through the thickening shades, and the sun’s last rays had -scarcely left a faint tinge of his glory in the west. Still the chase -went on. There was no check, let, or stop. On, on, we flew: the -pursuing and pursued. - -“He dies, by the Lord!” cried Trimbush, in perfect ecstacy, as we -flashed a few yards over the scent, and then, turning, hit it off short -to the right. “He dies, he dies!” cried he, throwing up his head, and -waking a loud echo from his deep-toned tongue. - -“What do you mean?” inquired I, reeling with weakness, and certain that -my remaining strength was all but spent. - -“His point was Gretwith rock, as I thought long since,” replied the -old hound; “but he can’t live the distance. He has now turned short to -run up wind, which proves him to be a sinking one, and if he reaches -Quaffam wood it is as much as he can do.” - -Seeing that Trimbush was serious, this sage opinion lent fresh aid to -our flagging energies, and the skeleton of his force, comprising only -Dashwood, Wildboy, and myself, answered his cheer by redoubling our -efforts to run into the devil’s own. - -The wood which Trimbush spoke of now appeared at the bottom of a deep -valley, and into the underbush we dashed, confident that the fox must -hang, and also in the hope that he would not live to leave it. I had no -sooner, however, entered the cover than, losing the cool refreshing -wind at my nostrils, I fell to the ground, faint and breathless; but -every effort proved fruitless; and crouching behind the trunk of a -large tree, I was obliged to remain stationary sorely against my will. - -For a few minutes I heard my companions driving the devil’s own to the -furthest end of the cover from where I laid, and then, as their cry -approached, I knew they had headed him towards me. Putting my head -close to the ground, I saw the fox creeping along with his back up, -scarcely able to crawl. His tongue was drooping from his jaws, and his -brush dragged along as if there was not strength enough in him even -to lift that. Every now and then he stopped and turned his head, and, -not perceiving me, continued to near the spot where I laid. Close and -closer he came, and, at length, coming within springing distance, I -made an effort which surprised myself, and fastened my teeth right -across the middle of his loins before he had a chance of knowing from -what quarter he was attacked. Catching me by the ear, however, he gave -me a dying grip which made me remember the length of his teeth and the -strength of his jaws for some time to come, and he had not unlocked -them, before Trimbush, Dashwood, and Loyalty came to my assistance, and -quickly put an end to the struggle. - -“We’ll break him up presently,” gasped Trimbush. “Let’s get a sob or -two of wind first,” and forming a circle round the lifeless carcase of -the devil’s own, we lay stretched upon the ground, panting and beaten -to a crawl. - -At this moment something crashing through the brushwood was heard, and -soon afterwards a labouring man came running up, and seizing the fox, -lifted him above his head, and “who-whooped” most lustily. He then drew -a great clasped knife from a sheath, and cut off the head, brush, and -pads of the devil’s own. - -“Ah!” said he, “I heard ye, and thought there was something up more -than common. I can guess all about it. You’ve beaten every one o’ the -field, and tailed off all the rest o’ the pack.” - -“You’re right enough, old fellow,” observed Trimbush, “and I wish you -could understand me as well as I can you. But what the deuce are ye -about with the fox?” - -The astonishment of Trimbush was caused by seeing the man deliberately -proceeding to skin the fox, as he might the body of a dead cat or -rabbit. - -“I’ll soon whip off your jacket,” said the man, “and then they can eat -ye nice and comfortably. Such a skin as this,” continued he, “must be -terribly tough, I know.” - -“What a considerate Christian!” exclaimed Loyalty. “Old Mark could -scarcely be more thoughtful.” - -“Besides,” resumed the labourer, finishing his job, “such a skin as -this is worth half-a-crown, and it had much better go into my pocket -than down your bellies.” - -“Ho, ho!” ejaculated Trimbush. “That’s the secret of your attention, is -it?” - -“Who-whoop!” hallooed the man. “Who-whoop!” and throwing the -dismembered carcase to us, we tore it into pieces and demolished, with -more than ordinary relish, the devil’s own. - -“Now, what am I to do with ye?” observed the rustic, scratching the -back part of his head. - -“Take us to the nearest best quarters,” said Trimbush; “give us a good -supper, plenty of straw, and lead us home in the morning.” - -“It’s a long distance,” soliloquized the man; “but I shall get well -paid for my trouble, I know. It can’t be done to-night, howsomever; and -so I’ll get farmer Oatfield to give grub and lodgings, and journey home -with ye to-morrow myself.” - -“A capital move,” said Trimbush, “and a sentiment after my own heart. -Come along.” - -Most willingly we followed our conductor from the cover, and after -proceeding about a mile, we came to one of those nests of comforts, -a good farm-house. As we entered the yard, two rough and shaggy -shepherd’s dogs ran barking towards us; but upon coming closer, -they wagged their short stumpy tails by way of a welcome, and soon -afterwards we had a famous supper of warm milk and meal, supplied to -us by the hospitable Mr. Oatfield, who heard with infinite glee the -rustic’s account of the way in which he discovered us; and then, by -his orders, some bundles of fresh straw were shaken out, upon which we -stretched ourselves, with that pleasure which only the wearied feel. - - - - -CHAPTER XI. - - “The gorse is yellow on the heath, - The banks with speed-well flowers are gay, - The oaks are budding, and beneath - The hawthorn soon will bear the wreath, - The silver wreath of May.” - - -“I hate to see those violets a-peeping on the banks,” said old Mark to -the huntsman, one morning, “and always did.” - -“Why so?” asked Will. - -“Because they are a sure sign that hunting is drawing to a close,” -replied our feeder. - -“Yes, yes,” rejoined Will Sykes. “True enough. When the speed-well -flowers begin to show,” continued he, “we may be certain that the -season’s almost at an end.” - -“Shall we kill a May fox?” inquired Mark, for he always coupled the -_we_ in all relating to us and our doings. - -“No,” replied Will. “The season’s too forward, and the Squire said -yesterday he would only hunt twice more.” - -“That’s bad news,” observed Trimbush. “However,” said he, “the noses on -the kennel-door show that we have given a good account of our foxes.” - -“The devil’s own is not there,” replied I. “How is that?” - -“No,” rejoined the old hound. “His head was sent to be mounted as a -cup, I heard Tom tell Ned Adams, and it is always to be placed in the -middle of the table at the hunt-dinner.” - -“I’m glad of that,” returned I. - -“No doubt you are,” added Trimbush, “and so am I. It will be a lasting -record of a run that, if equalled, was never beaten.” - -“What was the time, do you suppose?” inquired I. - -“Not a minute less than five hours,” responded my companion. - -“How proud the Squire and all of them were upon our return!” said I. - -“Yes,” rejoined the old hound. “I thought we should be killed by -that which seldom forms the ground of coroners’ inquests--excessive -kindness.” - -“Well!” exclaimed I, “since we have but two days remaining, we must -endeavour to wind up the season with a good finish.” - -“To be sure,” returned Trimbush; “a brace more of noses must be added -to the account, at least.” - -“How tired I shall be of kennel life throughout the long, hot summer,” -said I, with a whine at the thought. - -“It is rather monotonous, I must say,” replied my companion. - -“And then to be continually shut up,” rejoined I. - -“Oh! but you’ll not be,” added he. “We are taken out always at -daybreak, when the air and ground are nice and cool, and have a gentle -trot for some eight or ten miles. Then a certain number, from three to -four couple, are allowed, in turns, to remain at large all day about -the kennel, or where we like, so long as we don’t get into mischief.” - -“That’s very kind and considerate,” said I, “and contributes greatly -to our happiness.” - -“And health, you might have added,” continued Trimbush. “Nothing is so -bad as close confinement for us, and, indeed, for all kinds of sporting -dogs. The more liberty we have, the better for our condition, spirit, -and general good. Trencher-fed hounds,” said he, “are remarkable for -the superiority they possess over their kennelled brethren, and the -only cause is from the freedom they enjoy.” - -“What a pity it is,” said I, “that we can’t make our rulers comprehend -us as well as we understand them.” - -“Their heads are so thick,” replied Trimbush, contemptuously. “A great -many are solid, like stones, all the way through, I’m sure.” - -“Some act as if they were,” rejoined I. - -“Act?” sneered the old hound. “Upon my soul I can’t think what nineteen -out of twenty were born for. Certainly not for fox-hunting; that’s -quite evident.” - -“It’s a good thing,” I remarked, “that our master is not one of the -stone-heads.” - -“Yes,” returned he, “we are fortunate in that respect, and in most -others. Will and Mark are as famous hound servants as ever entered -a kennel, and, as a good huntsman makes good hounds, so does a good -master make good servants.” - -“There’s a wonderful deal in the management,” I observed. - -“Everything,” replied Trimbush. “And, unless a master of foxhounds is -a thorough-going sportsman, and is acquainted with all the apparently -trifling details of his establishment, you may depend upon it that he’s -very much out of his place.” - -“Your information concerning our liberty during the summer months,” -said I, “has reconciled me somewhat to the mortification of closing the -season.” - -“We need not examine farther,” resumed Trimbush, “than the effect -produced upon birds, when caged, to learn the advantages of freedom. -The plumage of a wild bird is close, smooth, and bright; while that -of one in close confinement is dull and rough. There is strength and -energy in the one, too, which is never seen in the other.” - -“The feather often shows which way the wind blows,” remarked I. - -“As well as the national banner of England floating in the breeze,” -returned the old hound. - -“I have heard,” I remarked, after a pause, “with the greatest pleasure, -all that you have said regarding us, and I do not think anything has -been advanced without sufficient reason being given. But what would you -say may be deemed a general rule for a huntsman to observe?” - -“In the field?” asked Trimbush. - -“Yes,” replied I. - -“Study the wind,” returned he, “let hounds alone, and keep his eyes on -the line-hunters. On these important points,” he continued, “depends -all the success in hunting. But when I say let hounds alone, I mean -that they are to stand still just long enough for them to be sure that -the scent is not at the point they are trying. We then go cheerfully to -try another; but there is nothing so prejudicial as an imperfect, hasty -cast.” - -“Nothing can be more obvious,” I replied; “and I wish, with all my -heart, that such a golden rule could be indelibly carved in the memory -of every one whom fate may decree to blow a horn to hounds.” - -“Ay,” rejoined Trimbush, “if abided by, there would be but little -cause for grumbling about want of sport. We can generally do far -better without assistance than with it, and the more we receive, the -more helpless and artificial we become. I believe I told ye so a short -time since, and it is the case, not only with us, but with everybody, -two-footed and four, to look for support from those resources, which, -through times of difficulties, save labour and exertion, rather than -put our own shoulders to the collar. This is but natural, and the blame -rests more with those who are unwise enough to forget that we all have -our duty to perform, and in doing that of others they commit as great -an error as in neglecting their own; because, if not idle themselves, -they are the positive cause of neglect and idleness in their fellows.” - -“Upon my honour,” returned I, “you talk like a philosopher.” - -“Then a philosopher speaks but the simple truth,” added my companion, -“in very simple language.” - -“You never hear,” said I, diving again more particularly into our -subject, “of men admitting that they had anything to do with losing -a fox, although they invariably claim a large share in the honour of -killing him.” - -“You have noticed that, have you?” responded the old hound, laughing. -“No; it is always _they_ lost him, but _we_ killed him. Ha, ha, ha!” - -“It ought to be just reversed,” rejoined I. - -“There would be much greater truth in the assertion, when generally -applied,” returned Trimbush. “A fox is frequently lost through them, -and rare, indeed, is the occurrence when any act on their part may be -regarded as one of assistance in killing him.” - -“I begin to have a great contempt for the ignorance of human beings,” -observed I. - -“All of us do at the end of our first season,” replied my friend. “We -discover, by that time, what a set of know-nothings men are, and, if -worthy to be retained in the pack, take no notice whatever of their -cheers or rates; but merely avoid their horses’ feet, and get away from -them as far and as fast as we can.” - - - - -CHAPTER XII. - - “When early primroses appear, - And vales are decked with daffodils, - I hail the new reviving year, - And soothing hope my bosom fills. - The lambkin bleating on the plain, - The swallow seen with gladdened eye, - The welcome cuckoo’s merry strain, - Proclaim the joyful summer nigh.” - - -It was the second week in April, and the last day of the season, that -we jogged slowly along the road to the meet. The season had been -unusually forward, and the air was fragrant with the early violets and -primroses, decking the roadside banks. There was a haze rolling along -the valleys, and the boughs and branches of the trees, now unfolding -their luxuriant and freshest green, were glittering with myriads of -dew-drops, flashing in the light of the young spring morn. - -Punctuality being the standing order with our Squire, Will often -consulted his watch to regulate our pace, so that we should be at the -fixture exactly at the time named; and as we approached Duvale village, -the church clock was striking the hour of ten. Turning on to a patch of -green, where a few geese and a lonely dejected-looking donkey cropped -the meagre herbage, and a host of round-faced chubby children played, -and madly screamed with joy to see us arrive, we formed a group around -Will’s horse in eager expectation of the Squire’s coming. The hum of -the last stroke had scarcely ceased, when the sharp pit-a-pat of a -horse’s feet was heard, and immediately afterwards the Squire came -cantering up, accompanied by three or four of his friends. - -I was glad to see that the field comprised those only who hunted -regularly with us, and, although many of them were generally too -anxious to get forward, and thought of little more than showing well -in the first flight, yet there was no fear of much unsportsman-like -conduct on their part. - -Without the loss of a minute we trotted off to our first draw, a long -and narrow belt of fir trees, with thick brushwood at the bottom, -which proved a blank. We then drew a line of small spinnies, and in one -of them, at the furthest end up wind, I saw two or three old hounds -flourish their sterns at one spot, and before I could reach it, a -first-seasoned one, like myself, called Boaster, threw his tongue. - -“Gently, Boaster,” hallooed Will, giving an admonitory crack of the -whip. “Gently, Boaster.” - -Upon pushing my nose among the group, I inhaled a slight scent of _the_ -animal; but it was very faint. - -“It’s a stale drag,” said Trimbush, “and he may be twenty miles away by -this time. Who opened on it?” asked he. - -“Boaster,” replied I, fearing that he might think me guilty of the -puppy-like deed. - -“Then I tell you this, youngster,” rejoined the old hound, “if you’re -so free with your tongue, you’ll have reason to wish, some day, that it -had been cut out at your birth.” - -“But it was the right scent,” expostulated Boaster; “and how could I -tell if it was stale or not?” - -“Then your nose is not worth a damn,” returned Trimbush, passionately. -“At any rate,” continued he, “you might have a little decent modesty, -and not take precedency of _us_.” - -Trimbush placed a very strong emphasis upon the “us,” and Boaster, -ashamed and abashed, drooped his stern, and, for the remainder of the -day, did not again attempt playing first fiddle. - -We were now taken about two miles, and thrown into a large rambling -cover, composed of patches of gorse, bramble, and nutwood. - -“I saw some fresh billets just now, sir,” said Ned Adams to the Squire. - -“Where?” - -“Just under that ash, and on the edge of the gap, sir,” replied the -second whip. - -“Very well,” rejoined his master. - -I was close to Dashwood and Trimbush, when both stopped suddenly, and -simultaneously throwing up their heads, both gave long bell-like notes, -which rung and echoed far and near. - -“Hark to Trimbush!” cried Will Sykes; “hark to Dashwood, hark, hark!” -and then, as I and others picked up the grateful scent, and threw our -tongues cheerfully, he hallooed, “Hark together, hark!” - -Now we closed; now we went full swing. Up went Tom Holt’s cap. - -“It’s a vixen, sir,” I heard him say. - -“Stop them, then,” replied our master, “and let her go. We can’t spare -a bitch fox now.” - -Out we crashed; but Tom charged at our heads, cracking his awful double -thong, and being well mounted, the most daring of us knew that it was -hopeless to endeavour to get away with her. Boaster was the only one -who made a lame attempt, and he instantly got a cut across the loins, -which sent him flying back into cover howling most piteously. - -“It’s a hard case,” said Trimbush, doggedly, “to be whipped off in this -fashion, and I don’t think it’s fair. When too late to kill vixens,” -continued he, with little apparent inclination to draw the cover again, -“why not give up hunting altogether?” - -“You would be the last to carry out that principle, I’m sure,” observed -Rubicon. - -“I don’t know that,” rejoined the old hound. “It’s very tantalizing -and dispiriting to be stopped the moment a fox, which we have taken -the trouble and pains to find, breaks away. We meet with enough -disappointments which can’t be avoided, throughout a season, without -having such as these thrust upon us.” - -“But we are continually so stopped in cub-hunting,” returned Rubicon. - -“That’s quite a different matter,” said Trimbush. “There are then two -or three brace of ’em afoot, perhaps, and they get headed back as well -as ourselves. We can always reckon, too, upon plenty of sport at that -time; but at the end of a season, when foxes are thin, it----” - -At this moment I winded the glorious scent again, and, throwing my -tongue, bang a great dark-coloured fox went across a ride. Trimbush cut -short his harangue, and, forgetting the cause of his anger, flew to my -side, and away we rattled. - -“Have at him!” hallooed Will. “Have at him, darlings! Yoiks, have at -him!” - -Up went Tom Holt’s cap again. - -“All right, sir,” I heard him say. “As fine a dog-fox as ever was seen.” - -Through the furze we dashed, and out burst more than two-thirds of us -close to his brush. - -_Twang, twang, twang, twang_, went Will’s horn. - -“For’ard, for’ard!” hallooed Ned Adams: “get to him hounds, get to him! -For’ard! for’_ard_!” - -For fifteen minutes we flew along at our best pace, over a country, -without even a bush strong enough to hold him. The scent being breast -high, we cut out some of the sharpest work for the best and boldest to -ride to us. - -“His point’s the main earth at the Curby brake,” said Trimbush; “but -old ‘fox-fix’ has been there with his spade and pickaxe, I’ll be bound.” - -The cover spoken of by my companion was quickly gained, and on the -slope of a steep bank, thickly twined with the stubborn roots of some -neighbouring oaks, we ran straight to the mouth of a closed earth. - -“Ha, ha!” laughed Trimbush, “I said so. If he had poked his nose -underground here, they might have dug for a week to no purpose.” - -We now carried it through the brake, and, sinking some rising ground, -entered Bushford Woodlands. Here the small enclosures and thick fences -began to tell both upon us and the field, and instead of carrying a -head in one close and compact body, many began to tail and string in -the rear. As near as I can guess we had ran ten miles from the find -without the check of a moment, when we threw up at a gate leading into -a road. We flew over it, and saw an old woman with a red cloak on, -screaming most lustily; but whether from fright or joy I could not -discover. - -To the left we went, but not making it out, turned short to the right, -when Will blowing a “come-to-me,” off we swept to the summons. - -“I saw it, sir,” I heard the woman shriek; “I saw it, sir, as plain as -the nose on your face, jump over the gate and then jump back again. And -it’s put me all in such a twitter that----” - -A _twang, twang_, from the horn, drowned the conclusion of the old -woman’s delivery, and, trying back, we were quickly on his line again, -and making play at topping speed. - -“I thought,” observed Trimbush, “that the old woman had headed him; -but it doesn’t do for us to try back until we have made our casts good, -right and left. It is quite correct for a huntsman to do so if he -learns from any cause that the fox has been headed; but we should not -speculate upon chances or accidents.” - -We now carried it over some deep fallows, and, being very dry and -flying, we had to pick through with great care. It was remarkable to -see the difference between the old steady hounds and the young and -eager ones in these difficulties. With their noses on the ground, the -pilots of the pack felt for the scent, here and there and held it -forward with patience and perseverance, while the too ardent and flashy -ones dashed in all directions, with as much notion of the line of the -fox, as that of the rook flying over their heads. After picking through -the ploughs we were enabled to up with our heads again, cluster, and -go full swing over some small grass fields to a village road, where -unfortunately, some dung had been recently carted, and the horrid -smell made me feel ready to vomit. Trimbush felt along the road a -considerable distance, as it was down wind, before he was satisfied -that this was not his line, and then turning up, made about as wide a -cast, but to no purpose. - -“I wonder,” said the old hound, both vexed and puzzled, “if he has -been headed back?” - -Rubicon, who must have had a remarkably strong stomach, now jumped upon -the steaming, reeking, stinking heap, and, plunging his nose under a -loose portion at the top, drew out the fox by a hind leg. In an instant -we flew to his assistance, and for the first and last time in my life, -I helped to kill a fox on a dung heap. - -“Well!” said our master, wiping his bald head, and looking as pleased -as at any period that I ever saw him, “we wind up the season with a -glorious finish. We were too far behind to see,” he continued; “but of -course they must have viewed him into the manure.” - -“No doubt, sir,” replied Will, “or he would most likely have beaten us.” - -“It only shows,” rejoined the Squire, “to what improbable shifts a -sinking fox will have resort. How often men’s brains are racked to -discover the why and wherefore that a fox _could_ have beaten their -judgment and experience, when, perhaps, he may be close to their elbows -without the smallest blame to be attached to either hounds or them for -his escape.” - -“Or merit to his craft and cunning, you might have added,” said -Trimbush. “For when a fox sinks, not only his physical strength is -expended, but his mental powers die with it. He is in such a mortal -fright, that he cannot think; but like a blown chicken, pokes his head -into the first hiding place which presents itself.” - -As we were trotting quietly homewards, as proud as peacocks, I saw -Trimbush tip Rubicon over the nose with his stern, and drew him from -the body on one side of the road. - -“Be candid,” said he, in a half whisper. “How was it that you made the -fox out in that beastly manure?” - -“I winded him,” rejoined Rubicon, with a sly grin. - -“Pshaw!” replied the old hound. “It was impossible.” - -“Well, well!” interrupted Rubicon, “I admit it. The fact is I jumped -on the heap for a very different purpose, and as I did so, I felt -something move under my feet. A thought struck me----” - -“As it did me,” interrupted Trimbush, “before commencing your -explanation. We owe the kill to chance.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIII. - - “Now the hill, the hedge, are green, - Now the warbler’s throat’s in tune, - Blithsome is the verdant scene, - Brightened by the beams of noon.” - - -It was a sultry summer’s day, and Trimbush and myself were luxuriating -under the wide-spreading and deep shade of a walnut tree growing near -the kennel. Five or six of our companions, on the free list, like -ourselves, were lounging about in the coolest spots, and their only -occasional signs of life, as they laid upon the ground, consisted in -brushing the buzzing flies from their nostrils and hides, and, now and -then, making a snap at their enemies. Wearied, at length, with my own -laziness, I made an effort to draw Trimbush into conversation, by -asking him the cause of kennel lameness. - -The old hound rolled on his side, and giving a wide yawn, stretched out -his legs as far as possible, with his stern stiffly turned over his -back. - -“That’s comfortable,” said he, “very. And so you wish to learn the -cause of one of the greatest afflictions that can visit us?” - -“Yes,” rejoined I, “it is my wish to know everything concerning our -interests. For if mankind be the proper study for man, so must hounds -and hunting be the proper study for me.” - -“A sensible remark,” returned my companion; “and as you are always -ready to listen, there can be no doubt but that you’ll attain -proficiency.” - -“I’m greatly obliged for your encouragement,” added I. - -“I remember two seasons ago,” said Trimbush, “hearing Tom Holt read -aloud from _The Sporting Magazine_ a remarkably sensible article on -the subject you wish to be informed about, and it made so deep an -impression that I can now repeat it nearly word for word.” - -“I’m all attention,” I replied. - -My friend cleared his throat, and then commenced. - -“Peculiar conditions of the atmosphere have generally the effect of -some disorders, which attack men and animals to so great an extent as -to be denominated the prevailing diseases of the time--such as cholera, -typhus fever, influenza, and many others. These results are not always -contemporary with the weather, which in reality produces them. Indeed, -they most frequently make their appearance some little time after a -change of temperature has taken place, by which certain influences -have been established, which become the sources of disorder in the -functions of animal economy. Such disorders as those which are peculiar -to any particular districts cannot fail to receive an impulse from -such a season as the one we have lately experienced. Kennel lameness -ranks among the number as likely to be one over which these powers may -be expected to have a very considerable control. Much has been said -and much has been written on the subject, and many possibilities have -been suggested, and remedies proposed, which have so little reason for -their basis, that it appears extraordinary how they could ever have -entered the brain of reasonable and thinking men: but before going -into a detail, I will introduce a few remarks on endemic diseases, -for the purpose of more clearly establishing the point, ‘that certain -situations produce the complaint, and will for ever be the cause of -its continuance so long as those situations are preserved’; and also -that certain modes of treatment are the causes of its prevailing in -some instances with a greater degree of inveteracy. Indeed I have no -hesitation in declaring, that bad management will, even on healthy -sites, produce a modified degree of rheumatism, which assumes the name -of kennel lameness. - -“There are certain diseases which afflict the human body, and which -are found to rage in particular localities, termed endemic. They are -attributable to some peculiarities of the soil, the air, the food, -and in some instances of the habits of the inhabitants. Poverty, want -of cleanliness, and, the consequence of poverty, bad and insufficient -food and raiment, may be enumerated among the most conspicuous causes. -A removal of them will naturally be followed by the disappearance -of the endemic. So with hounds: if a slight degree of rheumatism -exists, produced by irregular treatment, alter the treatment, and if -those already affected do not recover, the list of invalids will not -be augmented by its appearance in fresh subjects. Some may oppose me -on this point, by observing, if bad management produces the complaint -in a slight degree, may it not do so in a greater? To this I answer -distinctly, No; inasmuch as in some kennels the disorder has never been -known to emanate, but that unsound hounds brought from other kennels -have recovered: besides which, there are many kennels in which the -disorder rages where the hounds are treated precisely upon the same -system as in establishments which are perfectly free from it. - -“It is well known to what an extent various diseases, such as -cutaneous complaints and scurvy, have identified themselves with -peculiar situations, more especially after certain seasons. Medical -practitioners are of opinion, that, for the thoroughly comprehending -the nature and the cure of endemical diseases, an accurate study of -topography is essentially necessary. The inhabitants of countries or -places where diseases prevail endemically are very often exempted from -other serious indispositions; and the natives of a country or district -frequently become inured by habit to influences which at once manifest -their power over newly-imported strangers, especially in tropical -regions. In countries inhabited by different races of men, the same -circumstances do not always produce the same effects upon different -varieties. The water of the Seine produces disorder in the Londoner, to -which the Parisian, who is accustomed to it, is exempt. The treatment -also of similar diseases often requires to be very different in -consequence of the locality where it appears, and also the constitution -and habits of the patient. - -“The miasmata, or particles which emanate from the surface of -the earth, produce marked effects upon the human constitution in -those places where they prevail. The districts where they are most -conspicuous are the marshes, fens and swamps in Lincolnshire, -Cambridgeshire, and Essex: intermitting fevers and agues are the -consequence. Although marshy districts are pre-eminently capable of -engendering miasmata, they are not exclusively so: the result of -numerous observations proves that the circumstances essential to this -phenomenon are the presence of water, or moisture, and the influence -of solar heat: when the quantity of water is great at any particular -time, the effects do not manifest themselves until it subsides. Many -circumstances are supposed to influence the development of the effects -of these exhalations. It is also asserted, that it has sometimes been -carried to considerable distances, to situations naturally healthy, -by currents of air. This is a consideration of vast importance in -forming an opinion upon the fact of kennel lameness being indigenous -to certain situations, and shows most clearly how little benefit -can be anticipated in those cases where the malady is severe, by -the interposition of impervious concretes, asphaltum, and such like -preparations. - -“It has been asserted that attacks of paralysis have been mistaken -for kennel lameness. How such mistakes can have originated with any -persons conversant with the characteristics of the latter malady, it -is difficult to conceive, unless that term is intended to comprehend -all disorders in which lameness is apparent. If so, ere long, we -shall have hounds, when lamed by thorns or bruises, included in the -list. Kennel lameness, properly so termed, is intended to convey the -idea of a malady whose distinctive symptoms are so identically similar -to rheumatism, that there appears scarcely any visible reason why it -should be distinguished by any other term; but as it has now acquired -a standing in the huntsman’s nomenclature, it would be presumption -to attempt to displace it: nevertheless, the term rheumatism would -be quite as applicable and more universally comprehended. Before a -physiologist pronounces to what class a disorder belongs, and before a -physician attempts to prescribe a remedy for its cure, it is requisite -to investigate the symptoms which exist. Now the symptoms of paralysis -and rheumatism are so distinctly at variance, that it is utterly -impossible to fall under a mistake. Paralysis is a nervous affection, -in which the nerves, acting on the muscles, interrupt their motion, -relaxing their tone and fibre, and very frequently distorting some -particular limb. Rheumatism is a rigid or contracted state of the -muscles, attended with a slight inflammatory condition of the tissue -which covers the muscles, having the effect, when the animal has been -some time at rest, of creating a certain degree of adhesion. Thus a -hound badly affected with kennel lameness, on first being taken out, is -so stiff and sore as scarcely to be able to move--a state in which I -have seen so many, that the remembrance is accompanied with feelings of -commiseration and pity that would prompt me to any trouble or exertion -that would produce the effect of subduing the complaint. When hounds -thus disordered have been in motion a short time, so as to increase -the circulation of the blood, the extreme rigidity or stiffness goes -off to a certain extent, dependent upon the violence of the attack. -But paralytic affections would not be attended with any such results: -exercise would rather tend to increase than to improve the capabilities -of action. - -“I have very little doubt but the severe work which staghounds -occasionally undergo, and the numerous changes of temperature which -they have to contend against, are causes for the aggravation of this -malady. A foxhound generally has some preparatory exercise, besides -the exertion of going to covert, which latter is equivalent to the -staghound going to the place of meeting. The former has to draw for -and to find his fox, in which effort his powers are more gradually -brought into play, and the circulation of his blood is more rationally -increased; but the staghound is laid on to the scent of his game -without any preparatory excitement of the system, when he immediately -goes to work, straining every nerve in his ardour for the chase, and -very frequently maintains those efforts during the period of several -hours; and frequently, when in an evident state of exhaustion, a -time when immersion is dangerous, he plunges into rivers, canals, or -lakes--places which stags have such inordinate propensities for when -severely pressed. - -“The high and stimulating food, which is no doubt found necessary to -maintain condition during a long chase, is another cause for symptoms -of kennel lameness making their appearance with staghounds. The -circumstance of the canine species not throwing off perspirable matter -through the pores of the skin, appears to be a very powerful reason why -they are so susceptible of rheumatic affections, and more especially -that it should assume a chronic character when once introduced into -the system. It is asserted that the dog perspires through the tongue; -admitting that as a fact, it is to a very trifling extent, and not -equivalent to the vast effusion of violent perspiration which must -ensue from the laborious exertions of the chase, providing a hound -generates an equivalent proportion according to his bulk that either a -man or a horse does under similar efforts; besides which, making its -escape from one part only, the general relief to the animal cannot -be equivalent to that which is experienced by those animals who have -outlets in the immediate proximity of almost every muscle. It is very -evident that a great portion of the extraneous fluid, which in some -animals flies off in perspiration, is by the hound voided in urine. The -vast quantity which he passes is a proof of this, and it is a reason -why medicines acting upon the urinary functions should be resorted to, -in cases of kennel lameness, as a palliative. - -“Seeing the announcement some months ago that ‘our right trusty -and well-beloved friend’ and faithful correspondent, RINGWOOD, had -forwarded his opinions and suggestions on the subject of Kennel -Lameness, and appreciating most highly his experience on sporting -subjects, I was buoyed up with the hope that his discoveries would have -thrown some new light on the case; but was much disappointed at reading -his recommendations to try the effect of fires in the lodging-rooms. -Knowing them to have been tried by Sir B. Graham, Mr. Boycott, also in -the kennels occupied by Mr. Nicol, I believe also by Lord Kintore, with -prejudicial consequences, it only remains to intimate that the practice -is incompatible. Moreover, the diuretic tendency which it produces, in -encouraging hounds to perform their evacuations in the lodging-rooms, -instead of in the yards, is a reason why the adoption of fires, however -secured, in kennels, cannot be carried out consistently with the -usual discipline and necessary observance of cleanliness. One of the -most positive cases in proof, that on some occasions kennel lameness -proceeds entirely from the unhealthy situation of their habitation, is -that of Mr. Foljambe. With the utmost attention to kennel management, -a long series of years passed with nothing but disappointment and -vexation to crown the most liberal and judicious experiments. Nothing -that human skill could suggest or accomplish was left untried, until at -length it was determined to remove the hounds to a kennel at another -part of the country, where, under precisely the same management, they -are sound and well. - -“In conversation with a friend a short time since, a M. F. H., he -made the remark, that if I could make the discovery of a cure for -this disorder, I should be entitled to honors and distinctions too -superfluous to mention. My reply was simply this: ‘A remedy has been -discovered, not by myself, for I desire no merit which I am not -entitled to, but it is clearly proved that removal to a healthy site -will effect all that is desired.’ The removal must not, however, be -undertaken without mature consideration, in order to ascertain if the -proposed new situation is perfectly free from the causes which produce -the disorder. Clay soils may be denominated the most eligible; light -sandy soils and light soils on chalk, are the worst. Any attempt to -cure the complaint on a situation which so evidently engenders it, -is like trying to heal a wound while the substance which created it -remains within. Removal on the first discovery that the kennel is -so located as to be injurious will most assuredly be found the most -satisfactory, and, in the end, the most economical determination.” - -I managed to keep myself from a most seductive doze during my -companion’s somewhat prosy delivery; but scarcely had he finished, than -I was in the land of dreams, and toying with - - “The children of an idle brain, - Begot of nothing but vain fantasy.” - - - - -CHAPTER XIV. - - “We still have slept together, - Rose at an instant, learn’d, play’d, eat together; - And wheresoe’er we went, like Juno’s swans, - Still we went coupled, and inseparable.” - - -It was late in August, and the weather so sultry, that we scarcely knew -how to bear with the intense heat. Some did nothing but lap the water, -always running in a clear fine stream, from the fountain in the court, -and assuaged their thirst by continual sipping. Others drank deeply, -but seldom; and all, more or less, evinced the feverish suffering they -endured. - -I was lying in a shady corner of the court one day about noontide, -when I happened to notice a hound of the name of Gameboy go two or -three times towards the fountain, and then turn from it with a slight -shudder. - -Rising from the ground, I went towards him and said, “What’s the -matter?” - -“I don’t know,” replied he, “but I feel very strange. I’m dreadfully -thirsty, and yet cannot go near the water.” - -I now perceived that his eyes looked dull and leaden, and his body -shook, as if every nerve and sinew were shattered and unstrung. - -“Perhaps you have eaten something that has disagreed with you,” -returned I. - -“No,” added he; “I picked up a bone in our walk this morning, but that -couldn’t injure me.” - -“What’s that wound on your shoulder,” I asked. - -“A mere scratch,” said he, “I got from a cur three days ago. He flew at -me while passing a cottage garden, and just touched me on the skin.” - -This intelligence struck me with the most inexpressible uneasiness, and -I went to Trimbush, who was asleep, and waking him, repeated all I had -seen and heard. - -In a moment the old hound jumped from his posture of indolence, and -approaching Gameboy, regarded him minutely. - -“Are you unwell?” said he. - -“Yes,” replied Gameboy; “I never felt so queer before.” - -“Are you thirsty?” - -“Awfully so,” he rejoined, “and yet cannot drink.” - -“But why?” asked Trimbush. - -Gameboy gave an involuntary shudder, and said, “The sight, and even the -noise of water, is more painful than I can describe.” - -“Let me see you make an effort to go near it,” responded my companion. -“Perseverance may overcome this, seemingly, nervous affection.” - -In accordance with the desire, poor Gameboy turned his head towards -the fountain, and endeavoured to approach it; but had scarcely taken a -stride in the direction, when a spasm appeared to seize him, and with a -howl he rushed cowering to the farthest corner of the court. - -The attention of the rest of the hounds was attracted by this, and -several were trotting towards him to learn the cause, when Trimbush -interposed by saying, “Stay--_he’s mad_.” - -As if each had received a shock of electricity, the whole stood still -and mute, regarding in silent horror their miserable companion. It is -impossible to convey the effect produced upon the communication made -thus briefly by Trimbush. Every one seemed not to know what to do or -say, until Gameboy, with a white thick foam dropping from his jaw, -sprung upon his feet and rushed towards them. A wild bull would not -have scattered us more completely. Frenzied with fear, we flew from the -maddened wretch, who rushed staggering at everything in his way, and -snapping his jaws with that fury which the mad can only show. - -“Get from him,” said Trimbush, in a thick husky voice, and exhibiting -the greatest terror. “Pray get from him. It’s death if he touches ye.” - -The noise in the kennel now became furious. All were stricken with -fright, and the howling and cries were most appalling. - -It could scarcely have continued more than a minute, however, when the -stentorian voices of Will Sykes and Ned Adams were heard, calling for -“quiet,” accompanied by the cracks of a heavy thong. - -“Thanks be to the saints!” exclaimed Trimbush, “assistance is at hand.” - -Immediately afterwards both entered the court, and the huntsman -glancing round, said reproachfully, “What’s all this about, eh?” - -At this juncture, Mark the feeder made his appearance, and his eye -instantly fell upon Gameboy. I never shall forget the old man’s -countenance, the moment he saw the hound. A ghastly paleness came over -it, and he looked almost stunned with the sight. - -“Great heaven!” ejaculated he, holding up both his hands. “Great -heaven, Will, there’s madness among ’em!” - -“What!” said the huntsman, his question sounding like a sharp -expression of pain. - -“Madness,” repeated Mark, “as sure as we live.” - -With staring eyes, the huntsman and second whip examined Gameboy at a -short distance and, after a slight pause, the former exclaimed, “’Tis -true! Run, Ned, and bring the Squire.” - -“Get in, get in,” hallooed Mark, and closing the lodging-room door, we -were safe from the attacks of the wretched Gameboy, who was now left -alone in the court. - -“Take care,” said Will, retreating towards the door, “he’s in a most -rabid state.” - -“I wonder where it will end,” returned Mark, joining the huntsman’s -side by the door. - -“Who can tell?” rejoined Will, bitterly. “We may lose half of ’em, -perhaps.” - -“I noticed that he looked rather heavy about the eyes, for a day or -two,” added the feeder, “but I accounted for it through the heat.” - -“It was only yesterday,” said Will, “that I gave him a dose of black -brimstone and lard, seeing that he was feverish.” - -“It was a mercy no accident occurred to ye,” responded Mark. “A mere -scratch from a tooth would have----” - -“What’s this?” interrupted a well-known voice, and there stood our -master, breathless and exhausted with the speed he had used in -attending the summons to the fearful scene. - -“Gameboy, sir,” replied Will, pointing to the convulsive and agonized -hound, “is mad beyond a doubt.” - -“Are there any more with such symptoms?” hurriedly asked the squire, -scrutinizing the object of their painful attention and interest. - -“We have not had time for a careful examination, sir,” returned the -huntsman; “but I saw none as we hastily separated them.” - -“You have acted well,” said the Squire, “and we must continue the same -prompt and sound judgment. Shoot that hound instantly.” - -No sooner was the order given than Mark produced a long, -single-barrelled flint gun, with which he was in the habit of -slaughtering rats about the precincts of the kennel, and handed it to -Will. - -“Do it for me,” whispered he, with a quivering lip. “I feel quite sick.” - -Our feeder hesitated for a second or two; but after a short struggle -with a corresponding reluctance to become the executioner, he brought -the piece to his shoulder, and drove the charge crashing through -Gameboy’s brain. Without a perceptible throe of anguish, poor Gameboy -fell lifeless upon the flags, and so ended, to us, this terrible -tragedy. - -“Before endeavouring to learn the cause of the disease in him,” said -the Squire, “draft each hound singly, and let us see whether any have -been bitten by him, or if the least cause of fear exists that more must -be destroyed.” - -“I hope not, sir,” returned Will, with a strangely inarticulate voice. -“What shall we do if----” - -“It’s useless to talk of what we _shall_ do,” interrupted his master -irritably, “until we learn what we _can_ do. Draft the hounds.” - -One by one was called from the lodging-room by name, and after minutely -examining the eyes, nose and mouth, every hackle was rubbed back to see -if the slightest recent abrasion of the skin had been made. At length -it came to my turn, and unfortunately a scratch made by myself, while -brushing a flea from my neck in the morning, was found just under my -left ear. - -“Reload your gun,” said the Squire. - -A trembling seized me at these words, so that I could scarcely stand, -and a film spread itself across my eyes, which nearly blinded me. - -“Oh, sir,” exclaimed Will Sykes, “don’t have him shot yet. It does not -look to me like a bite.” - -“But it does to me,” replied his master. “What think you, Mark?” - -The old man divided the hackles with his thumb and finger, and after a -careful examination pronounced an opinion coinciding with that of the -huntsman. - -“I know that the hound is a great favourite with both of ye,” said the -Squire, “and with good reasons. But remember, if from any false feeling -of kindness we spare one infected, the entire pack may be lost.” - -“I wouldn’t do it, sir,” returned Mark. “I wouldn’t do it, sir,” -repeated he, “if he was my own child, and I thought him bitten. The -intended kindness would be right down cruelty.” - -“Still,” added our master, shaking his head, “I entertain great doubt -as to the policy of hesitating to take the safer course. However, -let him be shut up by himself and watched incessantly; and in the -event of the most trifling but certain symptom appearing, wait for no -instructions from me, but shoot him.” - -I was now taken from the court and subjected to solitary confinement -for six weeks; but as Tom Holt explained the cause of poor Gameboy’s -malady, from having seen him attacked by the cur, and all the rest -being found free from the smallest likelihood of inoculation, I was -permitted to join my companions again soon after cub-hunting commenced. -During my involuntary retreat, Mark paid me the greatest attention, -and, that I might not be low-spirited for want of company, would often -sit upon my bench and chat to me, and croon snatches of old ballads -to himself. He took me long walks, too, when his work was done, and -altogether the time was spent much more agreeably than might be -imagined in the gloom of solitude. - -Hearty was the welcome upon my re-appearance in the court, and each -of my friends expressed his warm delight at seeing me again; although -a stranger to our ways and customs might deem the reception somewhat -churlish, and of the growling mood. However, we do not ‘use our tongues -for the concealment of our thoughts,’ and if devoid of the polish of -refined manners, we at least possess an equal proportion of their -honesty. - - - - -CHAPTER XV. - - “Slow pass’d the night, and now with silver ray, - The star of morning ushers in the day; - The shadows fly before the roseate hours, - And the chill dew hangs glittering on the flowers; - The pruning-hook or humble spade to wield, - The cheerful labourer hastens to the field.” - - -“Trifles, light as air,” observed Trimbush, “are frequently of the most -momentous importance. Who could have thought, now,” continued he, “that -brushing a flea from your neck would have subjected ye to upwards of -six weeks confinement from all society?” - -“Ah!” exclaimed I, “if I could have had any anticipation of such a -result, he might have sucked my blood till now.” - -“I was in a terrible fright,” rejoined my friend, “that they were going -to stop its circulation at once.” - -“It would have been one of the most unjustifiable murders ever -committed,” returned I. - -“That may be all very true,” added my companion; “but what compensation -would the act of injustice have been to you?” - -“None,” replied I. - -“There have been innumerable such-like mistakes committed,” said -Trimbush, “and never discovered. Fortunately for you, the suspected had -the benefit of the doubt.” - -“I consider that the Squire was far too hasty in his decision regarding -myself,” responded I. - -“The convicted always think so,” rejoined the old hound. “However,” -continued he, “I quite agree in the same opinion. There was sufficient -cause for fearful apprehension, and it was impossible to calculate -the amount of the calamity. But I do not think that any kind of fear -should be allowed to exaggerate an injury. To observe sedulous care -in preventing its extension is most wise and prudent. At the same -time, if a hasty panic overrules the cooler judgment, the engendered -evil may on evil’s head accumulate ten-fold. Our master was decidedly -wrong in contemplating having you destroyed with such slight evidence -of questionable inoculation; but he was quite right in ordering you -to be drafted from the rest. The one was an unweighed, ill-judged -impulse--the other, a wise precaution.” - -“A distinction, with a material difference,” I observed. - -“Yes,” replied he, “beyond the shadow of a doubt. I once heard,” -resumed my friend, “of a M. F. H. having his entire pack destroyed, in -consequence of a couple-and-a-half showing symptoms of hydrophobia--or, -as we should say, in more intelligible language, a dread of water. -Nothing could be more wanton or unjustifiable, and as well might an -entire community of human beings be doomed to perish in consequence of -one or more of its members becoming insane, as fifty or sixty couple of -hounds, from the same cause.” - -“Were there any other doubtful cases besides myself?” I inquired. - -“No,” replied Trimbush. “All were turned over with the greatest -scrutiny; but nothing suspicious appearing, we were allowed to remain -as we were, with a great additional watch being kept over us. In -fact, Mark, or Will Sykes, was always close by for a long time after -Gameboy’s death; and if a hound growled even in his dream, one or the -other was at hand in a moment. I never saw greater vigilance; and I -can’t help thinking that the two kept an eye open for weeks in their -sleep.” - -The tramp of three horses approaching the kennel door put an end to -this, our first conversation since the fatal occurrence of Gameboy’s -death. - -“Let ’em out, Mark,” said a well-known voice, and as the feeder threw -back the door, we scrambled from the court, and ran and jumped in -sportive circles about the horses. Although in the highest state of -excitement, every tongue was mute, and a slight crack from Tom Holt’s -whip put a considerable check to the rather violent gambols of a few -of the youngest. It was not quite daylight as we trotted along between -three and four miles; and as we entered a gate at the end of a by-lane, -who should be standing with his reins over his arm, and leaning -carelessly against the side of his horse, but our “up-with-the-lark” -and excellent master. - -“You are behind your time, William,” said he, throwing himself into his -saddle. - -“Begging your pardon, sir,” replied the huntsman, tugging at the curb -chain securing his thick watch in a very deep fob, “I think not.” - -“By seven minutes,” rejoined his master. - -“Quite right, sir,” added Will, looking at his apoplectic time-keeper. -“Seven minutes have given me the slip.” - -“No matter,” returned the Squire; “we have scarcely light enough as it -is.” - -The narrow zig-zag lane led on to a large open grass field, on the -borders of which was one of the best and strongest covers in our -country. - -“Who has examined this cover?” asked the Squire. - -“Tom Holt, sir,” replied the huntsman. - -“Where did you find most billets?” - -“In the field beyond this, sir,” replied the whipper-in, with a touch -of his cap. - -“Very good,” rejoined his master. “Then take them there, William,” -continued he, “and let the puppies see the old hounds feel for the -scent.” - -No sooner were we in the field spoken of by Tom Holt, than, stooping my -nose to the ground, I inhaled that scent, which, from the first, sent -my blood tingling through my whole body. Several began to hustle, push, -and fling themselves about, and one, named Harbinger, threw his tongue. - -“So-oftly, Harbinger, so-oftly,” said Will. “You’re as noisy as ever, I -see.” - -“He’s incorrigible,” replied the Squire. “Put him away.” - -“We shall cure him after a few more trials, sir, I hope,” rejoined the -huntsman, who could never bear to have one of us destroyed. - -“He should have been cured before this,” rejoined his master, “and if -not removed, he will render others as bad as himself. I hate a noisy -hound,” continued he, “and I’m certain no drilling will stop Harbinger -from riot and babbling. There is no vice so contagious and injurious as -the one he possesses and persists in; and to use further forbearance in -retaining him in the pack would be most unwise. You know, last season, -that after being flogged three times in one day for riot at hare, he -repeated the fault whenever he had the chance and thought the whips -could not get at him.” - -“He’s to go, then, sir?” said Will. - -“The sooner the better,” replied the Squire. “I wish to have my hounds -so perfect, that if any one of them speaks in cover, you may be certain -that it’s a fox, and know that he may be cheered without fear of a -mistake. Unless this be the case, what pleasure can there be to me, as -their master, or satisfaction to you, as their huntsman?” - -Will gave no answer, and to account for the obstinate Harbinger’s fate, -all I can say is, that he was led from the kennel the following day, -with a coil of rope round his neck. - -We now carried the drag into the cover, and Trimbush and myself -acknowledged the scent. Will gave us a cheer that startled many a -pigeon from her roost, and Tom Holt and Ned Adams spurred right -and left, with orders to head short back every fox that made his -appearance. We got up to our cub, and drove him through the cover at a -slashing rate. The morning being warm, and the scent good, there was -no breathing time, and the pace soon began to tell upon the family of -foxes, which we were now racing in divided lots. - -“How many of them are there?” inquired the Squire. - -“Not less than two brace and a half, sir,” replied the huntsman. - -“Very good,” rejoined his master. “Let the vixen go if she will.” - -He then galloped towards Tom Holt, and just as he was about cracking -his whip, a signal from the Squire stopped him. - -“Come from this corner,” said he, “and let the old one go, and as soon -as these hounds come out with the scent, stop them, and take them to -William.” - -Scarcely were the instructions given, when the vixen took advantage of -the opportunity, and broke away at her best pace. The lot settled to -her were stopped, and taken to the huntsman at the top of a ride, in -about the middle of the cover. - -Being joined in one body, we now pressed our cub most severely; and I -viewed him cross two or three rides with his red rag out, in a truly -sinking condition. - -“This cub is very much distressed, sir,” observed the huntsman, “and -if they don’t get one of the others up, for they have all dropped but -this, they’ll soon run into him.” - -I now heard a succession of cracks from a thong, which I knew to be Ned -Adams’s. - -“He’s headed a fox back,” said Trimbush, exultingly, “but it isn’t our -hunted one. He’s out--come along.” - -A bunch of us swept from the side of the cover, and with heads up, -dashed across a field, before Will was aware that we had got away. - -“They’re out, by heaven!” exclaimed the huntsman. “Where can Ned be?” - -“All right,” returned the Squire. “They broke from the side, and no -one’s to blame.” - -We carried the scent through the first hedge into a summerland, and -threw up. Will, coming up, took hold of us rather hastily, and cast us -down wind. - -“Gently, William, gently,” said his master, reprovingly. “You appear to -have forgotten the golden rule of letting them alone.” - -We felt down wind for some distance, but not making it out, turned up, -and as we were passing the spot where we had jumped through the hedge, -a thought struck me that the cub might be skulking in the ditch on -the other side. Popping my nose down, I dropped into it, and finding -instantly that I was right, I rushed through the brambles, and just as -he was about to spring out, I caught him across a tender part, and with -one pinch he was as dead as a salt herring. - -“Who-whoop!” hallooed the Squire. “Who-whoop, my beauty!” - -To the envy of most of my companions, I received great praise for this -kill from our master, who seemed not to know how to make enough of me -on our road home. - -“Yo-o, Ringwood!” cried he, throwing me a bit of biscuit from his -pocket. “Yo-o, Ringwood, darling,” and then turning to Will, said, -“What a mercy such a hound as that was not destroyed through my haste!” - -“Ay, sir,” returned the huntsman, with a knowing shake of the head. “If -we have as good, we’ve none better.” - -“Thanks to my instructions,” growled Trimbush. - -“Come, come,” said I, “don’t be jealous of the little praise I’m -getting. You receive your share.” - -“Jealous?” repeated my companion, with a proud lash of his stern, “I -flatter myself that I can afford to be _generous_.” - -Seeing, however, that he was a little annoyed at the attention I -received, I said nothing more, but jogged in silence by the side of the -Squire’s horse. - -“By the way,” said our master, addressing Will, “in speaking of haste, -let this morning be another lesson to you not to take your hounds off -their noses with a sinking fox. More are lost by that than by any -other mistake committed. There was every probability of your leaving -your fox behind in the ditch, and then you would have said that he had -headed back to cover. A fresh one would have been got up, and the error -remained undiscovered. Countless foxes, booked safe to die, are changed -in this manner, and escape from no other reason than from taking hounds -off their noses. Remember this, William.” - -The huntsman touched his cap, and the conversation dropped. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI. - - “For aught I see they are as sick that - Surfeit with too much, as they that starve with - Nothing.” - - -We had just finished our breakfast one morning, and were lying about -the court to assist digestion, when I chanced to remark that I -considered the flesh not quite so nicely cooked as usual. - -“Your palate must be out of order,” returned Trimbush. “Mark is as good -a boiler as ever heated a copper.” - -“Still the material might have been tough,” said I, “and consequently -required longer boiling.” - -“I think not,” rejoined my friend, with a smack of his lips. “My taste -may be depended upon in such important matters.” - -“A great deal of one’s comfort depends upon the cook,” I observed. - -“Beyond conception,” emphatically replied the old hound. “In addition -to which,” he continued, “we can’t perform our duties unless -properly kept. The meal must be good and old, the flesh well but not -over-boiled, and the broth rich and sweet to enable us to kill foxes -handsomely. Our strength, speed, and wind, depend upon the feeding.” - -“No doubt about it,” coincided I. - -“I remember,” resumed my friend, “hearing a scientific opinion given -on this important subject to us from a thorough-going sportsman of the -name of Cecil. In a few words I think more was never spoken.” - -“If not too much trouble,” said I, “it would gratify me to hear it -repeated.” - -“A pleased and patient listener,” returned Trimbush, “invariably -renders me a willing speaker.” And after settling himself in a position -of the greatest ease, he commenced the following philosophical -dissertation on catering for foxhounds: - -“It is a circumstance very universally remarked by masters of hounds, -huntsmen, and others who are in the habit of making observations in the -field, that hounds have appeared sooner blown when running on moist -days during this season than usual. The cause has evidently arisen from -the peculiar mildness of the weather. Whenever the atmosphere is damp -and warm, it contains a less quantity of oxygen than when it is dry, -clear, and bracing, and the effect on the respiratory organs of all -animals when brought into active exertion is very apparent. Hounds have -been observed to lap water when going to covert more freely on some -occasions than others, which is also a symptom of the effect of the -atmosphere. - -“Liebig’s very clever work may be consulted to advantage, to ascertain -how and why certain causes and effects in the animal economy are -produced; but as many persons who may be interested on the subject have -not an opportunity of procuring it, I will introduce a few abbreviated -extracts, which are most particularly connected with the effects of -food and the peculiar conditions of the atmosphere. - -“Liebig says, ‘Two animals, which in equal times take up by means of -the lungs and skin[2] unequal quantities of oxygen, consume quantities -of the same nourishment which are unequal in the same ratio. - - [2] As hounds do not perspire through the skin, I apprehend - they do not consume oxygen through that medium: hence a reason - why the efforts of the lungs are so laborious when protracted - exertions call them into increased action. - -“‘The consumption of oxygen in equal times may be expressed by the -number of respirations: it is clear that in the same individual the -quantity of nourishment required must vary with the force and number of -the respirations. - -“‘A child, in whom the organs of respiration are naturally very active, -requires food oftener than an adult, and bears hunger less easily. A -bird deprived of food dies on the third day, while a serpent, with its -sluggish respiration, can live without food three months or longer. - -“‘The number of respirations is less in a state of rest than during -exercise or work. The quantity of food necessary in both conditions -must vary in the same ratio. - -“‘The quantity of oxygen inspired is also affected by the temperature -and density of the atmosphere. - -“‘It is no difficult matter in warm climates to study moderation in -eating, and men can bear hunger for a long time under the Equator, but -cold and hunger united very soon exhaust the body.’ - -“Liebig also states, ‘That the quantity of food is regulated by the -number of respirations, by the temperature of the air, and by the -amount of heat given off to the surrounding medium.’ - -“From the foregoing remarks, it will be seen how great an influence -food has upon animals called upon to exert such violent labour as -foxhounds are. The comparisons of the duration of life, when deprived -of food, between the bird and the serpent, I apprehend, relates -to birds whose nature it is to feed upon grain only, because the -carnivorous birds live much longer without food, their respiration -being slower: and I infer by this that the power of endurance in -hounds, and their perfection of wind and condition, are regulated by -feeding them with a due proportion of flesh, which, prepared by being -boiled, is converted at once into blood. - -“All animals partaking of a mixed diet, partly of grain, will be -greatly influenced in their respiratory organs by the proportions -which are given to them and the state of the atmosphere. The quality -of the blood being regulated by the quantity and the quality of food -consumed, its capability of passing through the lungs is governed. When -an animal has partaken largely of food which renders the blood of that -character as to cause the consumption of a great quantity of oxygen in -its passage through the lungs, and the atmosphere is deficient of that -important gas--which is always the case in close damp weather, such as -is occasionally experienced during the winter--it follows, as a matter -of course, that hounds, and all such animals, will quickly evince -symptoms of distress, or, familiarly speaking, will become blown, as -the causes which produce that effect predominate. - -“In hot climates man consumes very little, if any, animal food; in -cold ones, scarcely anything else: and the Esquimaux will partake of -blubber, animal oils, or fat--a food nauseating and disgusting to the -people of another climate. - -“With these facts it becomes apparent how the quantity and quality of -food require to be regulated by circumstances, especially on the day -before hunting. - -“There are few, if any, masters of hounds or huntsmen who are not -aware of the necessity of giving small proportions of flesh during -the warm weather at the commencement of the season, and again in the -spring, when such a condition of the atmosphere generally prevails as -that which we so universally experience during the months of November, -December, and January. Without a certain proportion of flesh, it is -well known that hounds cannot work; that is to say, they cannot go -through the fatigues of a quick burst or a protracted chase; at the -same time, too large a quantity will render them gross and plethoric, -consequently incapable of exertion. - -“As the quality of the food depends in a very great degree upon the -manner in which it is prepared, that becomes a subject worthy of -considerable attention. It is a practice in many kennels to boil -the flesh to a most unnecessary and prejudicial extent, but it is a -custom which cannot be too strongly objected to. Flesh over-boiled is -divested of its nutritive properties in a very great degree. It may be -remarked by some, those who are advocates for excessive boiling, that -if the nutritive properties are extracted from the flesh, they are -contained in the broth, and _that_ broth being given to the hounds, the -nutritious principles are still preserved--an argument which I can by -no means agree to. - -“Like man, the hound is found to thrive best upon food composed of -flesh and grain combined, consequently a comparison between the two -may with propriety be introduced. When a man undergoes the ordeal of -training for an athletic engagement, the animal food which he partakes -of is only subject to the process of cooking in a moderate degree; -overdone meat is studiously avoided. To the valetudinarian broth is -prescribed as affording light nourishment with a moderate expenditure -of the powers of digestion, but is never called in aid to form a -principal portion of the aliment for the human subject at a time when -great exertion is required. It is always found that broth creates -thirst with us, and there is no doubt it has the same effect on the -hound when given to a great extent, more especially when made very -strong. - -“I must observe, that I am by no means about to recommend the disuse of -broth in the kennel; but I wish to point out the propriety of giving it -in moderate quantities, and of depending upon the flesh which is given -for containing the bulk of nourishment, and giving it in that state -when it contains the greatest quantity. It is an impression with some -huntsmen, that by boiling the flesh to an excessive degree, the bad -qualities are extracted--that is to say, if the horse had any disease -about him, that the humours would be extracted from the flesh; but then -it must be remembered that they would be contained in the broth, in -which state they would be quite as injurious, or perhaps more so. - -“At the time when an animal is performing great exertion, it is -essentially requisite that his stomach should contain but a small -quantity of food, but that food should be of a nutritious character and -easy of digestion. The practice that I would recommend, and it is one -borne out by the reasons already assigned, as well as by experiment, -is, not to give hounds any broth at all in their food _on the day -before_ hunting. - -“The pudding must be reduced with pure water which has been boiled, -and the usual allowance, or perhaps, on some occasions, a trifling -addition to the accustomed portion of flesh must of course be given; -by this method of feeding, hounds will most assuredly do their work -far better than when a quantity of broth with very little or no flesh -is given; a custom adopted in some kennels with very bad results. From -such treatment, hounds will be observed light of muscle, big in their -bodies, and incapable of running up at the conclusion of a severe day. -By adopting the recommendation of substituting water which has been -boiled, for broth, on the day before hunting, it will be found that -hounds will not evince an equal degree of thirst by constantly lapping -on their road to cover, nor will they be so soon blown in chase.” - -“There,” ejaculated Trimbush, upon the completion of his task, “that’s -what I call giving the ‘why’s’ for all the ‘wherefores.’” - -Clever and philosophical as I deemed this delivery to be, I had become -somewhat wearied with it, and in order to divert my companion from -steeping his senses in forgetfulness, which his blinking eyelids bore -evidence was fast approaching, I asked him if he had ever turned his -attention to the poetry as well as to the practical details of hunting. - -“What do you mean?” inquired Trimbush, with a sleepy stare of surprise. - -“Simply, whether you have made the attempt of earning for yourself that -fame,” replied I, “which I intend gaining for myself?” - -“I’m quite in the dark,” rejoined my companion, testily. - -“Well, then,” returned I, “to be more explicit, I mean to let my tongue -appear _in print_.” - -“In print!” exclaimed Trimbush, husky with surprise. “How?” - -“Ah,” added I, quoting an early reply to one of my interrogatories, -“there are many things as clear to our vision as the sunshine at noon, -and yet their causes are hid in impenetrable darkness.” - -“Well, well!” added my friend, “I don’t wish to appear inquisitive, but -if you should mix me up in your--your--” - -“Don’t say book,” remarked I. “It sounds so gent-like.” - -“Anything you please,” said Trimbush. “But as I was about saying,” -continued he, “if you should come out so powerfully strong, perhaps -you’d make room for a little slice of an attempt at a song upon our -worthy master--God bless him!” - -“Of your composing?” inquired I. - -Trimbush coughed, licked his paws, examined the tip of his stern, as if -a flea was taking a liberty in that quarter, but gave no answer. - -I repeated the question. - -“As you _will_ have it,” he rejoined, pettishly, “then it _is_ my -composition.” - -“I feel assured that you need not be ashamed of it,” returned I. “Pray -let me hear the effusion.” - -“You’ll not laugh?” said he, inquiringly. - -“Not if the intent be serious,” I replied. - -“In that case,” rejoined Trimbush, “here goes!” and in a subdued, -melodious voice, he commenced his original song of - - THE OLD HUNTING SQUIRE. - - I’ll sing you a sporting song that was made by a sporting pate, - Of a fine old hunting Squire, who has a fine estate, - And who keeps his hounds and hunters at a liberal old rate, - And plenty gives to the poor and old who enter at his gate; - Like a fine old hunting Squire, one of the present day. - - His custom is, when at the Meet, to welcome great and small, - And a hearty greeting gives he to friends and neighbours all; - ’Tis here the laugh and joke and jest right merrily go round, - “But hark, my boys! pray, cease your noise; for now sly Reynard’s found!” - Cries our fine old hunting Squire, one of the present day. - - Although threescore and ten his years, he boldly takes the lead, - And flies the gate, the brook, and wall, and sweeps along the mead; - He never swerves nor cranes--not he; his true heart’s in the sport. - Oh! our fine old hunting Squire is one of the right sort! - A fine old hunting Squire, one of the present day. - - From scent to view they run him now, in vain fleet Reynard flies, - The ringing pack have doomed his death--he struggles, but he dies! - And at the finish who was there? Why he who at the burst - Led the boldest and the best, in the foremost flight was first-- - Our fine old hunting Squire, one of the present day. - -“A beautiful chaunt!” ejaculated I, pleased with the sporting rhyme, -“and one which shall have place in ‘The Life of a Foxhound.’” - - * * * * * - -Having doubtlessly made every note of value which could be drawn from -his experience, Ringwood’s memoir here ends from want of material, -and the earnest disposition on the part of his biographer of wishing -to prove neither monotonous nor wearisome. It was deemed by that wise -hound that a history or tale, when told, should, like a fox, when -killed, be broken up and finished. To this, therefore, we will give an -appropriate one in a ringing - - WHO-WHOOP! - - -THE END. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Life of a Foxhound, by John Mills - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND *** - -***** This file should be named 52307-0.txt or 52307-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/2/3/0/52307/ - -Produced by The Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by The Internet Archive) - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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