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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d8b569c --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #53691 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/53691) diff --git a/old/53691-8.txt b/old/53691-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index c9c6dac..0000000 --- a/old/53691-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5946 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Men We Meet in the Field, by A. G. Bagot - -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: Men We Meet in the Field - or, The Bullshire Hounds - -Author: A. G. Bagot - -Release Date: December 7, 2016 [EBook #53691] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD *** - - - - -Produced by Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -+-------------------------------------------------+ -|Transcriber's note: | -| | -|The Erratum note has been applied to the text. | -| | -|Obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | -| | -+-------------------------------------------------+ - - -MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD. - -[Illustration] - - -MEN WE MEET IN - -THE FIELD. - - -BY A. G. BAGOT ("BAGATELLE"). - -[Illustration] - -1881. - -TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND, - -LONDON. - - - - -MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD - -OR - -THE BULLSHIRE HOUNDS. - - -BY A. G. BAGOT ("BAGATELLE"), - -AUTHOR OF "SPORTING SKETCHES IN THREE CONTINENTS." - -London: - -TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND. - -1881. - -[_All rights reserved._] - - -CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, -CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -The present series of Sketches in the Hunting Field have, from time to -time, appeared in the columns of _The Country Gentleman and Sporting -Gazette_, to the Editor of which journal I am indebted for leave to -reprint them. All, or nearly all, the characters I have endeavoured to -portray have come under my personal observation, and are from life; but -I have done my utmost to avoid depicting peculiarities that might serve -to identify my models, or using personalities that might offend them. - -In placing MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD before the public, beyond -acknowledging that I have perhaps not done full justice to the subject, -I offer no apology; for anything said or done, painted or written, that -serves in any way to call attention to our glorious old national sport, -or to recall perchance the scenes of our youth, is not done amiss. In -that it is one more stone, however humble, in the wall of defence which, -alas! it is now becoming necessary to build against the attacks of those -whose aim seems to be the demolition of all sport, dazzled as they are -by the glamour of notoriety, won by sensational legislation, at the -expense of all that has made England what she is, and her sons and -daughters what they are. - -I do not for a moment wish to enter into political argument. In the -Field, Liberal and Conservative, Radical and Home-Ruler, meet as one, -save only in the struggle for the lead. But what I do hold is that, by -measures such as the Ground Game Bill and the Abolition of all Freedom -of Contract, our national sports are fast being blotted out, and that it -behoves all true sportsmen to array themselves against such things. - -Of the matter contained in the volume I am now sending on its way, -others must judge. I confess that I have enjoyed the writing of it. If I -am fortunate enough to find some at least who enjoy the reading I shall -be content, and shall feel I have not laboured in vain. - -To those who so kindly received my maiden venture, "Sporting Sketches" -(Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein, and Allen), I offer my best thanks. Like a -young hound who has not felt too much whipcord, encouragement has given -confidence. I can only hope I may not have flashed over the line. - -THE AUTHOR. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - PAGE -INTRODUCTORY 1 - -THE MASTER 8 - -THE HUNTSMAN 16 - -THE WHIPS 26 - -THE SECRETARY 35 - -THE FARMER 46 - -THE PARSON 58 - -THE DOCTOR 72 - -THE DEALERS 84 - -THE GRUMBLER 98 - -THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND RIDES 113 - -THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND DOES NOT RIDE 126 - -THE SCHOOLBOYS 139 - -THE BOASTER 154 - -HODGE 169 - -THE KEEPER 182 - -THE AUTHORITY 197 - -THE BLACKSMITH 212 - -THE RUNNER 225 - -THE MAN AT THE TOLL-BAR 237 - -WHO-WHOOP! 247 - -THE FIRST OF THE SEASON 257 - -UNCLE JOHN'S NEW HORSE 262 - -THE HOG-BACKED STILE 287 - - - - -ERRATUM. - -_For_ "Hollo!" _read throughout_ "Holloa!" - - - - -MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD. - - - - -INTRODUCTORY. - - -For those fond of studying character under various circumstances and in -various positions, there is, perhaps, no medium affording so good an -opportunity, or so vast a scope, as the hunting-field. - -There more than in any other place do men's characters appear in their -true lights. At the covert-side the irritable man, however well he may -on ordinary occasions be able to conceal his irritability, will fret and -fume if things do not go exactly as he wishes. The boaster, who in the -safety of his armchair astonishes his friends with anecdotes of his own -daring exploits, is, after a fast forty minutes, more often than not -weighed in the balance and found wanting. The garrulous individual, who -invariably knows where the fox has gone and what the huntsman ought to -do, is in the field estimated at his proper value. There also the -grumblers never fail to find a grievance, nor the elder generations of -sportsmen to lament the "good old days gone by." In fact, the -"bell-mouthed pack and tuneful horn" seem to act in some occult way in -bringing out the idiosyncrasies of all their followers. This being so, a -few sketches may not be uninteresting, and I shall endeavour to draw -with my pen some portraits of those with whom we yearly ride, and who -are so well known to most of us. To do this the more concisely, I -propose to describe the field, subscribers, visitors, and others, who -are to be found at the meets from the 1st of November to the end of -April, and who go to make up the members of that justly celebrated -pack--the Bullshire Hounds. Before individualising, however, it will be -necessary to give a short history of the hunt, with a brief outline of -the country, and its gradual growth. - -The Bullshire country is one of the oldest in England, and was -originally hunted on what is known as the "Trencher system," that is -everybody, in lieu of paying a subscription, kept (according to his -means) one or more hounds, which he was bound to bring with him to the -spot selected by the Master (who was yearly elected as huntsman) for the -meet. No sinecure was the office of M.F.H., carrying the horn, for as -every hound recognised the rule of a different Master, and every Master -considered himself entitled to an opinion in the case of his own hound, -there was a good deal of jealousy among the latter and no small amount -of "tail" among the former. The "tailing," however, was augmented by the -different system of preparation and feeding the Bullshire Hounds -received, for while Bellman before hunting was treated to no supper, -Truelove had to deal with a sumptuous repast placed before her by the -compassionate but ignorant goodwife, "who couldn't abear the idea of the -old dog doing all that work on an empty stomach." - -After a little the system proved unsatisfactory, and a step in the -proper direction was taken. Old Gregory the Whip was sent round early in -the morning the day before the meet to collect the pack, and it thus -became his business to see that all fared alike--wisely, and not too -well. From this it was an easy stage to kennels, and somehow, before the -inhabitants knew how it happened, they found themselves paying their -subscriptions with and without a murmur, and were able to point with -pride to the Bullshire kennels. Once this an accomplished fact, -everything went on smoothly; and from old Gregory and a Master whose -office was the subject of an annual election, they now turn out a -huntsman, two whips, and a second horseman, and, for a provincial pack, -stand first on the list. - -Their present Master is one of the right sort, who takes an interest in -his hounds and his servants, perhaps at times a little free with his -tongue, but only when absolutely necessary, and it is because of their -large and varied field that I have selected the Bullshire for -description. The country, though not a flying one, has a fair share of -grass, and is acknowledged by all to hold a good scent. As there is -every conceivable sort of obstacle, of every conceivable size, shape, -and form, wet and dry, it requires a clever horse to get over it. -Indeed, when some of the swells from the Shires condescend to patronise -the Bullshire (no uncommon occurrence, by-the-way), there are generally -two or three to be found, like water, at the bottom of a ditch. - -I remember hearing a description of his day by a Meltonian, when he -returned to his quarters with a battered head-piece and covered in mud. -In reply to a question of "Where had he been?" he said: "Lord knows -where I have not been. To the bottom of about ten ditches, three -brooks, nearly into a gravel-pit, hung up in a bullfinch for five -minutes, and almost broke my neck at the biggest post and rails I ever -saw." "Well," continued his interlocutor, "did you have a good run?" -"Run!" said he; "I believe you! Ran three miles after my horse and then -nicked in, and was up at the finish. Blessed if ever I saw such a -country. They think nothing of an hour and ten minutes, and they do -stick to it, I can tell you; fox hasn't a chance with the Bullshire. -It's for all the world like a stoat and a hare. Rare place to send -creditor to; give him a mount on a green nag, he's bound to kill -himself." - -Added to these advantages, so ably set forth by the Leicestershire -sportsman, foxes are plentiful, and, with one notable exception, of whom -more anon, everybody looks after them, and does his best to demonstrate -the fact that the fox and the pheasant can both be preserved, despite -what Velveteens and his myrmidons may say. The man who rules the -destinies of this sporting pack will form the subject of my first -sketch. - - - - -THE MASTER. - - -"Morning, gentlemen," accompanied by a bow to the ladies, apprises us of -the fact that Sir John Lappington has arrived, and as we turn round in -our saddles we see a cheery face beaming with health and goodnature, and -note what a thorough business look both man and horse present. The horse -is one of those rare specimens of weight-carriers, known as "a good -thing in a small parcel." Standing about fifteen hands two inches, with -quarters fit to jump over a house, and shoulders of equal value when -landing the other side, clean flat legs with plenty of bone, and -excellent feet, well ribbed up, with a broad deep chest, it stands a -living picture of the old-fashioned hunter that could and would go -anywhere. And surely the man is not far behind in appearance. Riding -about thirteen stone, or a little lighter, with somewhat a careless -seat, one's first impression is that he is by no means smartly turned -out, though the eye acknowledges at once the workman. - -A second and more careful study shows us that, while there is an entire -absence of gilt and gingerbread, of varnish and veneer, still, from the -crown of his-well-brushed hat to the sole of his well-cleaned boot, -everything is neatness itself. It may be that we take exception to the -brown cords which Sir John always wears; but when one has tried to -follow the clever cobby horse and his master through some of the -roughest places in the day's work, and our leathers show plainly where -we have been, we are fain to confess the wisdom of the said brown cords. -Notwithstanding the cheery goodnature that beams from the Master's -face, there is something in his eye and chin that warns instinctively -against riding over the hounds or heading a fox, and shows a latent -power of anathema and rebuke which, when once heard, is not in a hurry -forgotten. - -Sir John Lappington has been Master of the Bullshire for four seasons. -He took the hounds at the request of the county on the death of Mr. -Billington, who had hunted them for six-and-twenty years without hardly -missing a day. Some few people urged that the new Master would not be -found old enough to control so large a field, being but thirty years of -age when he commenced his reign; but the first day dispelled their -doubts, for on some of the "galloping-and-jumping" contingent trying to -have things their own way, and paying no heed to repeated remonstrances -to "give hounds a chance," the young Master astonished everyone by -saying to the huntsman: "Stop 'em, Tom;" and when that was effected, -turning to the offenders: "Now, gentlemen, when you have done your -d----d steeplechasing we will go on hunting. If you want to break your -necks you may put down my name for five pounds to bury the first who -does so, provided you run it off at once, so that other people who -prefer hunting to rough-riding may not be kept waiting." - -This effectually stopped them, and from that day very little trouble has -been shown, and when any have offended, it has generally required but -one talking-to to bring them to a sense of what was required of them. -Such is the man who now rides up punctual to the minute, and is greeted -by all with a hearty welcome. The hunt servants, with old Tom the -huntsman at their head, are as proud of being under him as they can be, -and the hounds simply adore him. See how they fly, heedless of Harry's -"Ware 'oss, ger away baik," clustering all round the cobby hunter, and -leaving the marks of their affection on boot and saddle. "Eu leu, -Minstrel, old boy; ay, Harbinger, good old man," says Sir John, a word -for each by name; and back they go to the rule of Tom, who cannot for -the life of him help feeling a twinge of jealousy, that "the hounds -should be so 'nation fond of t' young Master, most as much as they are -o' me, I'll be blessed if they ain't." - -Five minutes of friendly chaff with the carriages, two more with old -Farmer Simms, who, on being shown his wife's poultry bill, says: "Give -it here, Sir John, give it here. The ould woman would take the money out -of a man's breeches if he did not keep his hands in his pockets," and -with a laugh Tom gets the signal to move off, Sir John stopping before -he canters on to the hounds to say: "Never mind, Simms, I daresay we -shall make it all right. The missus and I are old friends," and replying -to Simms's loudly-expressed opinion that "The ould wench 'ull fleece -you, I fear," with a deprecatory wave of the hand as he ranges up -alongside the old huntsman. - -The first draw is a gorse lying on the side of a hill, where there is -always a little difficulty in restraining the impatience of the field, -who, anxious for a start, are rather apt to override the hounds. There -is a hunting-gate, beyond which no one is allowed to go until the hounds -are well away, and here the Master posts himself, saying in a loud voice -that can be heard by all: "If there is any stranger in the field to-day, -he must understand that while hounds are drawing no one is allowed -farther than this." At this moment his quick eye catches sight of a -youngster who has jumped the rails lower down, and hopes he has escaped -detection. "Come back, you sir," rings out; "come back; and as you are -so fond of timber you can take the rails up hill. Dash your impudence, -when I have just said no one is allowed to go for'ard! Come, at them--no -funking;" and as, amid roars of laughter, the culprit, looking -exceedingly foolish, rides at the rails, and gets a rattling fall, Sir -John chuckles to himself: "Don't think he'll try that game on again." -The hounds are by this time hard at work, and from the way they throw -themselves out of the gorse there are evident signs of a speedy find. -With keen enjoyment the Master watches the young entry, and as first one -and then another of his favourites momentarily expose themselves to -view, he thinks he would not exchange his empire for untold wealth. - -In this enviable frame of mind he is interrupted by the appearance of a -tall cadaverous-looking individual on foot, who, addressing himself to -him, says: "Sir John Lappington, I believe?" "That's me; what can I do -for you?" is the reply. "Ah! they told me I should find you here, ah! -I--my name is Simpkins, Mr. Simpkins, Secretary of the Young Men's -Improvement Society. I have been requested to ask for your patronage and -subscription for a new school our society have decided on opening for -young men in Lappington; and as they told me you were following the -chase, ah! and my time is limited, I thought I should not be intruding -if I could persuade you to" (pulling out a long subscription-list) "look -over this." - -Here, luckily, "Away, g-o-rne a-wa-a-y!" cut short the conversation, and -the Master, swinging down the hill and slipping over the bank and ditch -at the bottom, almost before the astonished Simpkins has made out what -has happened, might have been heard muttering to himself: "Well, I am -blowed! Did anyone hear of a man being asked to subscribe to a school -when hounds had just found? Following the chase too! If they don't teach -the young men better than that, the future Lappingtonians won't be much -in the sporting line. Hark for'ard; for'ard away!" and sending his horse -somewhat viciously at a bigger pace than usual he is shut out from -sight, where for the time I will leave him. - - - - -THE HUNTSMAN. - - -"Hounds, please, gentlemen; hounds, please," says old Tom Wilding, as he -threads his way through the field, who have, in their eagerness, ridden -over the line. "Now, where the deuce should t' fox a gotten to, I -wonder?" thinks he to himself; "Harbinger made it good across the lane, -I swear, for I saw 'im, and there's naught to turn 'im that I can see." -But there is; for an old woman, innocent of mischief, suddenly raises -her much-be-bonneted head out of the turnips right in front, and with a -"Dang her ugly mug," Tom makes a swinging cast for'ard. Minstrel, -hitting off the scent under the gate out of the field, is promptly -corroborated in his statement by Gaylad, and in a second things are -going as jolly as a peal of bells. - -The old Huntsman stops just a moment before pulling his horse together -at the timber, to give "t' ould wench" a bit of his mind. "Look here," -says he, "you've frightened fox away with that danged ould top-knot o' -your'n. I be a good mind to----" But the old lady drops a most humble -curtsy, and looks so penitent, that his anger vanishes, a smile steals -over his face, and with a "Coom up," he pops over the rails and gets to -his hounds. A bit of a martinet is Tom, and right well does he know how -to keep his whips in order. Ay, and for the matter of that, some of the -fire-eaters of the field besides. - -Woe betide the unfortunate Harry who, keen as mustard, slips away, -leaving two couple and a half behind. "All here?" says Tom. "A couple -coming up, sir," replies Harry (he thinks it better to economise the -truth as to numbers); "they are close behind." "Then what the devil -business have you in front of them? Get back and bring 'em along at -once. D'ye suppose my second whip's come out as a horniment?" (Tom, when -excited, is a little shaky with his h's.) "If you don't know your -business I can jolly soon get someone who does. There's lots of chaps to -do the riding without you a-figuring about here. Get back at once, and -let me catch you a-leaving hounds behind again." Yet in his heart he -thinks none the worse of the lad for being keen to get along in front, -and remembers how often he himself has been rated in bygone days for the -same offence. - -Of course Tom has his aversions, and there is one particular individual -who, he says, he "just can't abear"--a Captain Stockley, one of the -galloping-and-jumping division, who, although he can ride anything and -over anything, knows little of hunting as hunting _per se_, and is -always getting on top of the pack. One day, when he had managed to head -the fox twice, the first whip, Charles, allowed his feelings to get the -better of him, and holloed: "Hold hard, sir; d----n it, give 'em a -chance;" whereupon Stockley rode up to Tom, and with a bland smile said: -"I am sorry to be obliged to make a complaint, but one of the whips has -been very impudent--in fact, he cursed me." The reply was not quite what -the Captain expected, for Tom, seeing the cause of the two mischances in -front of him, growled out: "He cursed yer, did he? Well, if it 'ad -a-been me, I'd a gi'en yer a jolly good hiding;" and then catching his -horse by the head he drove him at the wood fence, and was cheering on -the pack before the Captain had recovered from his surprise. - -However, we left him just out of the turnips, with the hounds settling -down to the line. Everything goes well for some ten minutes, there is a -burning scent, lots of fencing for those who like it, and a convenient -lane for those who don't. All of a sudden the hounds throw their heads -up and spread like a fan. Not a sign does the Huntsman make beyond -holding up his hand to stop the rush of the field. But with one eye on -the pack, and the other looking forward to where the sheep are -scampering across the meadow on the hillside and huddling together in a -close column, he sits like a statue. Deaf is he to the remonstrances of -the eager ones, who say: "It's for'ard, Tom; get along," merely -remarking: "Let 'em puzzle it out; they want to hunt now. Yer can always -lift 'em, but yer can't always get their heads down again;" and in a few -moments he is rewarded by seeing the hounds work it out of their own -accord, and dash forward, proud of their own cleverness. - -Some of the strangers to the Bullshire country say Tom is slow, but they -do not know the old man. See him in another half hour, when the fox is -beginning to run short. They are beginning to look for their second -horses, and someone remarks that Charles is away. Suddenly a cap is seen -in the air some four fields to the right, and "Hoick, holloa, hoick, -holloa!" rings out clear. "Who is that?" ask some of the field. "Why, -it's Charles! how the deuce did he get there?" say others. The Huntsman, -however, knows well how it all came about, for did not he send Charles -off to the high ground overlooking Bromley Wood on the off chance of a -view? and now he does not wait an instant to discuss the question, but -with a "chink-wink" of the horn and with cap in hand he gallops off, -lifting the pack almost on to the fox's back. - -Two fields farther on his "Who-whoop" tells everybody that all is over, -and as they ride up one after another they see the old man, with his -gray hairs streaming in the breeze, standing in the middle of his -hounds, holding aloft the fox at arm's length, preparatory to giving his -body over to the tender mercies of Traveller, Gaylad, and Co. "Eugh, -tear 'im and eat 'im," and the "worry, worry" begins. Tom looks up at -his young master with a smile, and says: "We've got the ould divil this -time, sir; he's beat us often enough before;" and then raising his voice -so as to be heard by all, he continues: "None so slow either. If we -had'na let t' hounds work it out theirselves, fox would a-been a-going -now. Where to, sir?" as he swings into his saddle. "Bromley Wood? right, -sir. Coom away, hounds; coop, coop, coom away;" and Tom trots off with -the pack best pace, for, as he remarks: "It's lunch-time now, and if so -be I bestirs mysen I can leave about half t' field behind; and that's -just what I like. I can get away comfortable without a lot a-trampling -and messing over t' hounds, and them as likes eating better nor hunting, -why they've no cause to grumble if they're chucked out." - -As he approaches the wood, a wave of the hand sends the whole pack -tumbling in, the two whips taking their stations like clockwork. With a -"'War'oss!" the old Huntsman jumps into cover, and though lost to sight -his voice is heard out of the woods cheering on his hounds. "Eugh, at -'im, my beauties. Eugh, doit, eugh, boys," he shouts; and the pack, who -have learnt to love, ay, and what is more, respect their tutor, fly to -his holloa, each doing what our American cousins call their "level best" -to please him. - -Tom, when he gets home, will not fail over his glass and pipe to recount -exactly what each of his favourites did at each particular spot, for -nothing escapes his quick eye, and he fully returns with interest the -love of the Bullshire Hounds, of which he has been Huntsman for some -eighteen years, and in which position he hopes to remain until he is, as -he puts it, "run to ground." - -Before leaving him, one anecdote will suffice to show the kindliness of -the old man's heart towards dumb animals. They had had a long wearing -day over a heavy country, with but little or no scent, and Tom found -himself on leaving off some eighteen miles from the kennels. On arrival, -after seeing that his darlings were all right (a duty he never -neglected), he thought it about time to look after himself, and had -just sat down to his well-earned supper, when a small boy arrived at his -house, crying fit to break his heart. "What's up, my lad?" said Tom. -"P-p-please, sir," replied the urchin between his sobs, "old Bob's -b-b-een runned over, and they is broke 'is leg, bo-hoo! and mother -s-says as how he mun be shot--for her canna mend it; and if yer -p-please, Bob allas slept along wi' me sin' 'e wur a puppy, a-and I -c-can't abear it, bo-hoo!" "Well, boy, don't 'e cry; I'll come down -mysen and see tew 'im," said the old Huntsman; and, tired and supperless -as he was, he there and then put on his coat and tramped off the best -part of a mile to see to the crippled terrier, and after setting the leg -and making the poor dog as comfortable as he could, he sat up best part -of the night nursing it as a mother would her baby. It was three o'clock -in the morning before Tom got into his bed; and he will tell you how -tired he was, but he will also say: "Poor old doggie, 'e was just for -all the world like a Christian. There was none on 'em as knowed aught -about it, and when I'd done 'is leg he wagged 'is stump of a tail, -saying plain enough: 'Don't 'e go now; I'm main thankful to yer, but -don't 'e go,' that I couldna a-bear to leave 'im till 'e wur a bit more -comfortable like. You see, we can holloa out, but them dum' animals -canna." Bob, the old dog, is still alive, and the boy is now an -under-keeper, but neither of them forget old Tom's kindness, and both -would almost lay down their lives for the Huntsman of the Bullshire -Hounds. - - - - -THE WHIPS. - - -"'Say, Harry, the old man killed his fox well to-day," says Charles, the -First Whip, to his junior, as they jog home to the kennels in the -evening. - -"Umph!" replies Harry; "but he need not have dropped it so hot on to me -just because them two couple of loiterers stopped back. Blessed if I -ever saw such hounds as them for messing about in cover. It's always the -same. Caterer and Bellman, Pillager and Marksman, never up in time; and -then if I gets on a bit, it's 'Where's them two couple? Go back and -fetch 'em at once.' Dashed if I oughtn't to take a return ticket to -every field in the county." - -Charles, who thinks it by no means improbable that some day he may find -himself with the horn of office, and Harry promoted to First Whip's -place, merely says: "Well, you shouldn't be in such a thundering hurry -to get off. You know your place is back, and back you should be." - -At this juncture they ride up to The Bell and Horns, a famous halfway -house, where they brew the best of ale, and can, if so disposed, give -you a glass of the best whisky out of Ireland. The landlord, a sporting -old veteran, bustles out and takes Tom's order for "Three pints of dog's -nose" (a compound of ale and gin), "and some gruel for the nags." - -"Well, what sort of a day have you had?" says he. "Nay, nay, don't mind -the hound, let him be," as Harry is proceeding to correct Minstrel's -attack of curiosity concerning the construction of Boniface's waistcoat. -"The old boy and I are friends," and he pats the hound's sensible head. - -Old Tom, having taken his face out of the pint pot, and smacking his -lips, replies: "A first-rate day. Found in the gorse, run through -Bouffler's meadows up to the Mere, turned in the lane, where the fox was -headed, then over the Ring Hills, and killed by Bromley Wood. Charles -here," pointing to his aide-de-camp, "was the means of our killing; and -I must say Harry did uncommon well, though he does always want to be in -front." - -At this meed of praise from their chief both the Whips feel some inches -taller, and Harry quite forgets his rating in the morning. - -The horses gruelled and the score paid by the Huntsman, they are again -on the road, having been joined by a couple of farmers going their way -as far as the cross-roads, and with whom old Tom is soon in close -confabulation. Harry rides for some distance without vouchsafing a word, -save an occasional "Whip, get for'ard," to some straggler of the pack. -At last he says: - -"Charles, the old man is a good 'un, and no mistake. I'd sooner have a -kick from him than sixpence from anyone else. He's quite right--business -is business; but when it's over how many of 'em would stand a glass, -'specially after a bit of a word?" - -"You're right, my lad," replies Charles. "You'll go mony a day afore you -pitch on a man like old Tom, or, for the matter o' that, on a pack like -our'n. Look you, it ain't every Huntsman as 'ull let his Whips into the -secret of breeding; but I'll be bound there ain't a hound as you and I -don't know as much about as he does hisself." - -"What are you two a-chattering about?" interrupts Tom. - -"Only a-saying as how we knowed the pedigrees, sir," said Harry. - -"So you ought. I'm sure I lets Charles and you know all I can. My system -is 'fair do's.' Every man's got a summut to do with the run, and they're -our hounds; and though I say it as perhaps shouldn't, we've the best -Master and the best pack in England; and when I comes on the society, -if Charles there ain't ready to take my place, why it will break my -heart. Ay, my lad, and then you can get for'ard as much as you like." - -"I knows one thing," says Harry, whose heart is getting too big for his -waistcoat, "the Bullshire have got the best Huntsman in England, or, for -the matter o' that, in the world; and I'm main sorry as I vexed you -to-day leaving them hounds in cover." - -"Not a bit, lad, not a bit; it's over now. I like to see yer keen; but -duty first, yer know," replies Tom. "Charles," he continues, "it looks -all like a frost to-night. What do yer think?" - -"Freezes now, and there are two or three of these hounds going lame a -bit, and they find the ground a bit hardish," says Charles. - -By this time they have arrived at the cross-roads, and the two farmers -turn off, leaving the Huntsman and his two Whips with a three-mile trot -before them. - -It may be gathered from the above the sort of terms that the Bullshire -Hunt servants were on with each other, and what good feeling existed -between them. Charles, the First Whip, had served his apprenticeship -with the pack--first as a lad in the kennel, then as Second Whip, and -lastly where we find him. His whole soul lay in his work, and the most -miserable time he owns to in his life was when he broke his leg riding -over a gate, and was laid up for six weeks away from his darlings. "I -shouldn't a minded if it had been in the summer," said he; "but having -to lay up abed in the middle of this beautiful scenting weather, it's -d----d hard luck, and I know the beauties will be wondering where the -deuce I've got to." As soon as he could move, his first outing was to -the kennels, where the reception, or rather ovation, he obtained -corroborated his opinion anent the hounds missing him. - -Equally fond of hunting was Harry, though, it must be confessed, he -liked the riding part the best. Originally a farmer's boy, he first made -his appearance in the hunting-field on the top of a leader out of the -plough, which he had surreptitiously detached, and the way he rattled -the old nag along, chains and all, over or through everything, gained -him his place. Sir John Lappington, happening to see him, made inquiries -about the boy, and when he was turned off by his indignant master--for -of course he was turned off when his escapade came to light--he asked -the lad if he would like to go to the kennels. Harry jumped at the -offer, and when there he made himself so useful and learnt to ride so -quickly that on the Second Whip leaving suddenly, through misplaced -confidence in the amount of liquid he could "carry," Harry was put in as -a stopgap, and did so well that he was officially appointed Second Whip, -and has been so now for three seasons, giving every satisfaction. - -Of his powers of riding the following anecdote will show: - -They had been running hard one day last season, and were getting on -terms with their fox, when, just as they approached the Swill (a deep -muddy brook, to jump which when low was a thing to talk of, and when -full almost an impossibility), a fresh fox jumped up right in the centre -of the pack, and took half of them over the stream, which was bank full. -To stop them was a necessity, and there was no bridge nearer than half a -mile. Harry, without waiting a minute, pulled his nag together, and -shouting: "Here's in or over. I canna swim; but I've naught to leave -'cept my togs, and the're master's," rode at it, and, to the -astonishment of everybody, in another second was safe across and had -stopped the hounds on the far side. How he got over is a mystery to this -day, and no one was so astonished as himself. If you ask him he will -tell you "he only knew hounds had to be stopped, and if he had gone -under he could not have helped it. He trusted to luck and his spurs, and -they pulled him through." - -It is small wonder that everything works like clockwork when Master, -Huntsman, and Whips all act in concert and harmony, and Charles and -Harry know full well the value of their situations. After the horses are -done up for the night, and the hounds are seen to, fed, warm and -comfortable on their benches, the two will as like as not go up and -smoke a pipe at old Tom's cottage before turning in; and the knowledge -they gain in those "evenings at home" is untold, for, as Charles said, -the old man keeps nothing back, and is never so pleased as when he is -giving his Whips the benefit of his long experience. Should the frost -set in, the Master will be down at the kennels in the morning for a -certainty, and two or three instructive hours will be passed in talk of -horse and hounds. - - - - -THE SECRETARY. - - -A man of immense importance is Mr. J. Boulter of The Grange, quite as -essential to the welfare of the Bullshire Hunt as either Master or -servants; and, indeed, if you could see through the double-breasted -pink, the corduroy waistcoat, and the gray flannel beneath, into his -innermost heart, you would, I am almost convinced, find that Mr. B. was -there written down as the man of the lot. - -No light task is his, namely that of professional beggar. For he is -Secretary and Treasurer to the Hunt, and on him falls the onus of -collecting as well as receiving subscriptions. Long practice has made -him an adept in the art of "cornering" a defaulter, for he has been in -office for fifteen years, and it is his boast that if a pound is to be -got he is the man to get it. - -On one occasion he was sorely put about by a man (I was going to say a -gentleman, but his conduct precludes the use of the term), who came down -from town and established himself in the country, bringing with him a -large stud of hunters. Naturally the Secretary fixed his eagle eye on so -promising a subject, and after a month or so began to hint at a -subscription, which of course was promised but never came. - -Well, the season was drawing to a close and no cheque had been received -from the stranger, who, by-the-way, had not forgotten to find fault with -everything and everybody; moreover Mr. Boulter had heard by a side-wind -that half the large stud were gone, and the rest, accompanied by their -owner, would shortly follow. This, coupled with the oft-repeated -question at the covert-side of "Holloa, Boulter, got his coin yet?" put -our Secretary on his mettle. So one off-day he rode over to the inn and -interviewed the individual, asking him point blank for his cheque, as he -(Mr. B.) was making up the accounts. The answer was not propitious, for -the snob replied: "I have not got my cheque-book with me, but here are -two sovereigns, which is quite sufficient for such a provincial pack as -yours." - -Boulter pocketed the sovereigns and retired, meditating revenge. At -last, however, he hit on a plan. - -The meet on the following Monday was fixed for Bindley Park, and the -first draw was a long wood, at one end of which lay the house of a -market-gardener and small farmer. The only way from the Park to the wood -was through the farmyard-gate and out into the field, unless you jumped -the fence into the market-garden. Mr. Boulter accordingly took the owner -of the said gate into his confidence, as well as those of the field he -could trust, and on the day of the meet the gate was found to be locked, -and no one knew where the farmer had gone. To lift it off the hinges was -impossible, and old Tom, with a twinkle in his eye, said: "Dang it all; -but we mun go round," and forthwith made a pretence of trotting off. - -"Never heard such a thing in my life," said the non-subscriber, falling -into the trap. "Dashed piece of impudence; sort of thing one might -expect in this benighted country. I'm dashed if I'm going round; I shall -go through the beggar's garden;" and he proceeded to put his threat into -execution by riding at the hedge. - -As he rose at the fence the farmer's face was seen peeping round the -gate, and as the horse descended into the garden a terrific smash was -heard, followed by a loud altercation with, "Damage to my glass and pots -and that there bed of young stuff," etc. etc. The next morning the owner -of the large stud was presented with a bill of costs to the amount of -£20, which, after a deal of blustering, he paid, fifteen sovereigns -finding their way into Mr. Boulter's cash-box, the remaining five amply -repaying the market-gardener for the loss of two broken and useless -lights, a few cabbage-stalks, and a selection of old pots, which he, -together with the Secretary, had placed under the hedge at likely spots. - -Thus did Mr. Boulter score, and he enjoys nothing so much as telling the -story of how he trapped the stranger, though, by-the-way, the same story -increases in dramatic incident year by year. - -Most amusing it is to watch the reception of the Secretary as he rides -up on his famous jumping cob. Those who have paid up greet him with: -"Morning, Boulter; you're looking very fit;" and sometimes, when -perchance he is arrayed more gorgeously than usual as to his headpiece, -"What! a new hat? Dash it all, but that's the second this season; -there'll be no money left if you go buying hats like this out of the -fund. Here, Lappington" (to the Master), "here's the Secretary been -embezzling again, and broken out into another new topper." While those -who have as yet not forwarded their subscription nod him a good-morning, -and then somehow their steeds, which up to the present have been -behaving in a most rational manner, suddenly get excited, and it -requires the undivided attention of their riders to prevent them running -away. - -In fact, they do run away until they manage to place a convenient -distance between themselves and the jumping cob. The Secretary, however, -is fully up to all these little dodges, and generally brings down -confusion on one or other member by saying with a chuckle: "Dear me, -So-and-so, what a funny thing it is, your horse is always fidgety when I -come near him. One would think he was afraid of being asked for a -subscription, and forgets that his master has paid." After a pause: "By -Jove, no! I'm wrong and the horse is right. Your cheque has not come -yet. What a sensible beast the animal is!" He says this is a most -infallible remedy, and that the following morning he invariably finds a -letter on his table enclosing the required article, and apologising for -forgetfulness. - -Perhaps the secret of his success lies in his great popularity, for his -cheery manners and jovial smile have endeared him to all. Among the -farmers' wives he is worshipped, and though they one and all swear that -"Next time they are not a-going to be talked over about that -poultry-bill," it is always the same. Before the Secretary rides or -drives away from the homestead the bill is forgotten, and all the -children are crowing after him to tell them one more "'tory." - -One good dame in particular is most emphatic on the subject of his -powers of persuasion. "You see, my dear," says she, "I sends in a bill -for two turkeys, six couple of ducks, just a-fatting too, three couple -of hens, and a whole brood of chickens. When I sees Mr. Boulter a-coming -up I says to myself says I, 'Now, Mrs. Styles, don't you go for to be -bamboozled.' But, laws! afore he's been in the place half an hour I've -nearly busted myself a-larfin', and I finds myself a-drinking a dish of -tea with him, and as fully persuaded as how it's my place to keep the -turkeys for them beastly foxes as I don't know what; and then the -blessed bill goes in the fire, and I'm a loser of close on twenty-eight -shillings. But then I knowed him as a lad, bless 'im; and there's never -a Christmas but what a hamper of game and a bottle of sherry comes to -the farm; so there's no bones broke." - -With all his wheedling powers, Mr. Boulter is a thorough sportsman. -There is not an earth in the country that he does not know as well as -his own house; and he is equally well acquainted with the run of every -fox. Every hound he knows by name, and can give you chapter and verse -for both pedigree and performance. - -A sure find for breakfast, dinner, or lunch, too, is The Grange, and for -a bottle of real old '47 port never drawn blank. Unbounded hospitality -is the order in that establishment, where throughout the season Mrs. -Boulter takes care that something is always on the table "in case the -hounds should come that way." Talking of Mrs. Boulter, there is a piece -of chaff against her husband that the day he was married he not only got -a subscription to the hounds out of the parson, but by exercising his -persuasive powers actually got off the fees! - -The annual hunt-dinner is a great day for the Secretary. On that -occasion he takes the vice-chair, and proposes the health of Sir John, -the Master, in a speech which poor Mrs. B. has to listen to off and on -for the three previous days. Once the meek little woman did rebel. The -speech she had put up with, but when her lord and master returned home -at two o'clock, exceedingly jovial, and kept her awake till six o'clock -by alternately treating her to "John Peel," and informing her, with a -somewhat foolish laugh, that "they called me besht f'ller in shworld, -drunk m'very good shealth, 'pon m'shoul," she thought it was a little -too much; and when the orator awoke next day, headachey, chippy, and -penitent, she gave him a piece of her mind which so astonished him that -he has never exceeded again, and now returns at eleven sharp. - -Sometimes during the summer months Boulter is to be seen struggling with -a pile of luggage at a foreign railway station, looking as miserable as -a man can look, and heavily handicapped as to the language of the -country in which his wife has elected to travel. But the trip never -lasts long. Some business connected with the hunt invariably calls him -back, and on a hot August day you will find him at the kennels chatting -with Tom Wilding over the prospects of the coming season or the young -entry, and anxiously longing for the "beastly harvest" to be over, and -for November leaves to fall. - -If not there he will be riding round looking up Velveteens and his -satellites, and endeavouring to imbue them with the motto of "Live and -let live," as applicable to the fox. - - - - -THE FARMER. - - -"Like master like man" is a very old saying, and, like many of those -ancient saws, very true. Therefore, in such a sporting country as the -Bullshire, with such a sporting Master at the head of affairs, it stands -to reason that the field, or at all events the majority of them, should -be equally imbued with the love of the chase. Now in every country the -mainstay and backbone of the hunt is the Farmer, for without his consent -and co-operation fox-hunting would become a thing of the past, and -instead of a series of brilliant gallops and a successful season, we -should read of a series of actions for trespass and verdicts for -damages, carrying costs. - -Keen sportsmen and true friends to the hunt are the Farmers of -Bullshire, so there is little fear of opposition on their part. Indeed, -on one occasion they combined to make it very "warm" for a stranger who -came among them, and who did not fall in with their views concerning the -necessary amount of support to be given to the hounds. The erring member -was a man who, having made some money in the chandler line in London, -took it into his head that he was cut out for a Farmer, and accordingly -took a farm in the centre of the hunt. From the moment he set his foot -in the place he gave offence, for the first thing he did was to wire the -whole of his fences, and then gave notice that anyone riding across his -land would be summoned for trespass and "prosecuted according to law." -"He was not a-going to 'ave them beastly dorgs and 'osses a-running over -his land, not if he knowed it." A climax, however, was reached when the -surly brute assaulted one of the members of the hunt with a pitchfork, -and swore he would lay down poison for the hounds. A meeting was there -and then called to discuss the question, and it was unanimously decided -to give the individual "what for." - -Accordingly, some of the younger Farmers assembled one evening, and by -the following morning there was not a trace of wire to be seen nor a -gate-post standing in the holding of the ex-chandler. Strange to say, -the local police, into whose hands the matter was immediately put, -failed to discover the offenders, and the country-side was straightway -ringing with the candleman's discomfiture. The next time he went to -market not a beast could he sell, and it was the same with everything. -He found a strong league against him, none would buy from him and none -would sell to him; so at the end of a year he retired in disgust, much -to the delight of the conspirators. - -No two better representatives of the Bullshire Farmers, old and young, -could be found than Simms and his son. The father--hard-working, -hard-riding, hard-headed, with fifty years of practical knowledge on -his shoulders--is a firm believer in Church and State and the rotation -of crops. With a horror of anything like steam, and a decided prejudice -against the School Board, he stands out a true type of the warm-hearted -old-fashioned yeoman. - -The son, equally hard-working in his way, and still harder perhaps in -his riding, is full of what his sire is pleased to call "danged -rattletrap notions," born of the Agricultural College. Steam ploughs or -"cultivators" he pins his faith on. Church and State he has not much -time, he says, to think about. The rotation of crops must be regulated -by manuring, and he drives the old man nearly wild by learned treatises -on the subject of superphosphates, nitrates, and guano. - -Each in his own way is an excellent Farmer--the one of the old school, -practical and working in a groove, the other of the new, mechanical and -enterprising. In the hunting-field, however, they meet on common ground, -and as there are but few fixtures at which both father and son do not -turn up, it may be taken for granted that in this respect their opinions -coincide. - -Mark the difference in the respective "get-up" of the two as they jog -along together to Highfield cross-roads. Old Simms' long-coat is, from -constant exposure, more of a brown than the black it originally was; and -his hat has evidently had a few words with the hat-brush (the latter -having revenged itself by running "heel"), for the silk is all the wrong -way, and there is a large dent in the top. He still adheres to a -bird's-eye fogle, wound three times round a high white collar, the -corners of which only are visible, and contrast strongly with his jovial -red face. High jack-boots, and stout cords that have seen the end of -many a hard day, complete his attire, while his horse, a real "good -'un," is, like himself, all in the rough. His son, on the contrary, is -as neat as a new pin, in a hunting-cap, double-breasted Melton coat, -white breeches and tops; and the horse is on a par with his rider. - -"Ah Simms, I knew you would turn up," say a cluster of sportsmen as the -pair arrive at the meet. - -"Good morning, gentlemen; bound to be at Highfield, if possible. James -here" (pointing to his son) "would never forgive me if I did not come -and see his gorse drawn, though I do tell him as how, with all the -stinking stuff be puts on the land, there ain't a ghost of a chance of -any scent," is the reply. - -"Never you fear, father," retorts James; "you wait till they find, and -if they don't run as well over my land as any other I'll eat my hat." - -"All right, my boy," laughs the old man. "I hope you and your young 'un -may come across one of those infernal steam ploughs of yours, like I did -this morning, all of a sudden. The mare nearly put me down, old stager -as she is, and what that cocktail of yours'll do, Lord knows." - -This raises a general laugh against James, in the middle of which the -Master rides up. "Well, James, have you got one for us to-day?" he -asks. "Tom tells me that we are sure of a fox in the osiers at the -bottom, but if you know of one in the gorse we'll go there first." - -"Try the gorse first, Sir John, if you please. I think I can promise one -there," replies James Simms, in momentary dread that Tom and the osiers -might win the day. - -And as Sir John, nodding to the Huntsman, says: "High field Gorse, Tom," -James's face beams with pleasure, and, together with his father, he -trots off to superintend the arrangements. "A chip of the old block" is -the general verdict, as James, sending his "young 'un" at a low post and -rails, which he hits hard all round, cuts off a corner, and canters on -to the bottom end, where he remains as mute as a sphinx, merely -telegraphing to Tom and his father that he was there. Just as the hounds -are thrown in, a boy runs up to him and, with a grin, says: "Mayster, -ay's theer; I'n sayd 'un. Ay's down at bottom end by t' ould stump." - -"All right, Jim, my lad; you keep quiet. If he's there you shall have a -bob," replies James, burning with impatience as he hears no sound save -Tom's "Eleu, in, eleu 'ave at 'm. Eugh, boys." - -"Blank, by the Lord Harry!" he ejaculates, as two or three hounds appear -outside; and, turning to the boy, he asks: "My lad, are you sure you saw -a fox?" - -"I'n sayd 'un; ay's theer," is the reply. "Ay mun bay up stump." - -"Here," cries James, "take my whip, and if you can get him out your bob -will be two-and-six." - -The boy does not wait a moment, but, heedless of furze, dashes on to -where the old ivy-covered stump stands, and is soon swarming up to the -top. A crack of the whip, a scuffle, a shout from the lad of "Look out, -mayster," and a fine old dog jumps out and makes off right under James's -nose. - -"Good lad," he says, as the boy returns with his whip; "here, catch." -And while James utters a view holloa that would wake the dead, the lad, -having spat upon it for luck, transfers half-a-crown to his pocket. - -"All right, Tom; down the field and over the fence to the right. Come -on, dad;" and Tom, getting his hounds on the line in a twinkling, the -trio are hard at it. - -"Pull that young 'un together," says old Simms as they neared the fence; -"it's a big 'un." His old mare slips over as if it was child's play. Not -so the "young 'un." Going like an express train, he never rises an inch, -and James finds himself and the nag somewhat mixed up on the other side. - -"That's a buster. No damage, eh?" says Tom. - -"Not a bit; for'ard on," replies James, swinging himself into his -saddle, and giving his astonished animal a gentle reminder. "It'll teach -him to rise next time. There goes the governor," as his father landed in -a blind ditch at the next obstacle, but was up and going again in a -moment. - -At this crisis they are joined by the Master and a chosen few. "All, -this is something like a fox, worthy of the family," laughs Sir John -Lappington as he gallops alongside. "Did you breed him on purpose?" - -"No, Sir John; I can't quite say that. He's an artful old dodger though, -and mother says she's had the feeding of him. He was up in the stump, -and a lad fetched him out with my whip," replies Simms the younger as -they stride over the grass. - -"By gad, fox is bound for your place," says Tom to the father. And Tom -is right. Straight as a die he heads for old Simms' farm, and now that -they are on his land the son does not forget to chaff his father most -unmercifully about the roughness of the fences. A few fields farther on -a labourer hollos him, and in the meadow before the house the hounds -view, and they run into him almost in the garden. - -"Who-whoop," yells the old man, as pleased as Punch. "Now then, missus," -as Mrs. Simms comes out to see the end of the destroyer of her -chickens, "ale and beer and anything you have. What is it, gentlemen? -Give it a name," as the field one by one jump off their smoking horses. -"We must drink the health of this one; it's, as Sir John says, a family -fox. Oh, bother the turkeys, missus," as Mrs. S. mutters something about -feeding the fox; "you can think of nothing but turkeys. We's all a-dry -here;" and he bustles off to fetch out some more of the rare old -home-brewed, reappearing in a few minutes with an enormous jug. "Now, -Sir John, one more glass. No? Anybody else say anything? Here, Tom, I -must have that brush. Best thing we've had this season. Oh, _you_ don't -want any more beer, James; you ought to feed on phosphates," as his son -holds out a horn to be replenished. "There, bring my horse, lad," to a -labourer; and the old man, his face beaming with pleasure, is ready for -the fray again. - -That evening there is what James calls a "symposium" at the farm, and -the run is run over again. "Twenty-five minutes without a check, and -thank you kindly for the missus, self, and son. I only hope we shall be -able to find as good a one next time we draw the gorse, and if every one -of us has a family fox on his place, the Bullshire need have no fear -about sport," is what old Simms says in acknowledging the toast of -himself and family, which is drunk with three times three. - - - - -THE PARSON. - - -It is related of the late Bishop of Winchester that, on one occasion -when shooting, he was asked by his host to remonstrate with the keeper -for his non-attendance at church, and accordingly he did so. "Well, my -lord," replied the man, "I owns I doesn't go much to church, but I reads -my bible regular, and I can't say as I've found anything there about t' -apostles going a-shooting, and they was bishops." - -"Quite right, my man, quite right," was the ready answer. "You see they -did not preserve much in those days, so they went fishing instead." - -Equally ready was the answer of the Rev. William Halston, when his -diocesan informed him that so much hunting did not meet with his -approval, and on the argument waxing warm had allowed himself to make -use of a somewhat unclerical expression. "Sir," said the angry bishop, -"you go galloping all over the country, and your parish is going to the -dogs." - -"Exactly the reason, my lord, why I hunt," replied his reverence with a -smile. "When all my parishioners are going to the dogs, it is my -positive duty to go also, if only to look after them." - -The bishop thought somehow that he had met his match, and so nothing -further was said on the subject. That little episode occurred some -twenty years ago, when Mr. Halston was a younger man, but his love of -hunting has if anything increased with his age, and seldom is his -well-known face absent from any of the meets within reasonable distance -(which he computes at eighteen miles); and a bold rider must be the man -who, when hounds are running, sets himself down to cut out "t' ould -Parson," as the Rector of Copthorpe is called. - -Copthorpe, I may mention, in early days was the only church for miles on -that side of the country, and the living embraced no less than four -straggling parishes, the farthest being some twenty miles distant. With -the growth of the population came the necessity for more places of -worship, and besides a new church built at Lappington by Sir John's -father there is also one at Highfield, situated at the other extremity, -the mother church still being, of course, at Copthorpe. - -From this it may be wondered how the Rector can find time to do his work -and hunt as well. But that he does so is undeniable, for there is not a -cottage in the whole parish that some time or other during the week he -does not visit, and high and low, rich and poor, one and all love and -honour their Parson. - -The cottagers simply adore him, for numerous are the tales round the -country-side of how "t' ould mon sot up night after night wi' Jack Bliss -when ay fell down t' gravel-pit drunk, and welly killed hisself;" and -how "ay used to ride o'er every other day wi' some port-wine or summut -in his pocket when So-and-so's wife was bad in t' fever-time, six years -back." Often does the old gentleman (for he now numbers close on seventy -years), coming back after a long day with the hounds, snatch a hasty -meal, and, jumping on the back of his famous pony Jerry, canter off some -six or seven miles to see a poor parishioner that one of his curates had -reported sick; and, should occasion require it, the morning light will -find him seated by the bedside of the sufferer, speaking to him or her -such words of consolation and hope as make the pain seem less and the -heart seem lighter. - -His power, too, is unlimited, and on more than one occasion has the -arrival of Parson Halston put a sudden stop to a free fight that looked -strangely like ending in bloodshed. For the men know that he will stand -no nonsense; and still fresh in the memory of most of the pitmen is the -discomfiture of one of their number, Black Joe, who in his drunken fury -attacked his pastor, and went down like an ox before a deadly -left-hander, delivered with a science born of Alma Mater and "town and -gown." - -They caught "t' ould Parson" up in their stalwart arms then and there, -and how they did cheer him as they carried him down the street! - -From that day his rule was established, and a word now is sufficient, -without anything else, to stop "riot." - -But it is not only those workers in the mines that have their story; the -farm-labourers are equally loud in singing his praises, for did not he, -when a paid hireling was stumping the country urging them to strike -against their masters, jump on the cart from whence the ranter was -hurling forth denunciations against "the landlords' tyranny and the -farmers' oppression," and holding him forcibly down with one hand, -address them all as they gazed in wonder, and say to them how they had -"worked together and drank together, hunted together and suffered -together, for many years; and now would they listen--they, the men of -Bullshire--to a miserable whimpering Cockney from London, who could -neither mow a swath nor pitch a load to save his life?" - -And when they were all for ducking the vermin in the mill-pond, did not -he drive him off to the town in his own cart, and never lose sight of -the agitator till he saw the train safely out of the station with, the -individual well on his road back to town and his employers? - -Ay, there are many of them now who shake their heads, and pointing to -their fellows in the neighbouring counties, say: "If it 'adna been for -our ould Parson we should a' been in the same fettle. Strikes mean -starvation, and when a man's clemmed" (hungry), "and' ain't got no one -but hisself to thank for't, ay begins to look a fule, that ay does." - -Mr. Halston employs three curates, to each of whom he gives a particular -district, and they have every evening to bring in their reports of what -goes on, and what they have done during the day. Eagerly sought after -are these positions, for it is a well-known fact that, after their years -of training at Copthorpe, if they are worth their salt they are pretty -sure to tumble into a good berth. One thing is however made a _sine quâ -non_--that during their stay they must do their share of work. "Duty -first and pleasure afterwards," is the motto of the Rector, and he sees -that it is strictly carried out. - -Such is a brief description of the man who may be ranked among the best -of sportsmen and truest of friends in Bullshire, or indeed any country -in the world. - -As a man and a friend he is full of the milk of human kindness, -hospitable to a fault, and never so happy himself as when giving -pleasure to others. As a sportsman, a bold and forward rider, yet always -with excellent judgment, displaying as much knowledge of what a fox is -likely to do as if he was being hunted himself; a knowledge of the -country second to none, a capital judge of both horse and hound, and -with a love of hunting that, as I have said, advancing years serve only -to increase. - -Small wonder that when Tom hears _his_ "view holloa" he knows it is -right, and gets forward at once, though there are those who may shout -themselves hoarse without attracting the desired attention. "Parson's -like my old Solomon," says he; "'e never throws his tongue till he's -d----d well certain; but then, by Guy! 'e does let 'em have it." - -Whenever it is possible Mr. Halston goes to cover with the hounds, and -back again in the same company (unless called away by parish work) -after the day is over, and dearly does old Tom love those rides and -cheery chats, learning himself, he freely admits, as much as ever he can -teach. See them now both in the centre of the pack, jogging homeward in -the failing light. Says Tom: "That was a straight-necked 'un we had -to-day, sir; but I'm main puzzled what made you guess he'd try them -earths at Billowdon." - -"Well, Tom," replies the Rector, "I argued it out by common sense. -Suppose you'd been hard pressed and knew of a house you could turn into, -wouldn't you go for it?" - -"Yes, but it was turning right into the mouths of the pack. I was -'nation mad when I found 'em open that I hadna ta'en your hint," -continues the Huntsman. - -"Live and learn, Tom; live and learn," laughs the Parson. "You forget -three seasons ago we lost one just in the same place." - -"By Guy! so we did, and I forgot it at the moment. It was the day as -young Mayster Bell jumped atop of Melody; but what's become of him, -sir?" asks Tom. "How Sir John did pitch it into him that time to be -sure." - -"Oh, he's getting on first rate; he is inspector at the Deep-seam Pits. -I was afraid, though, he was going to the bad at one time. He took a -liking to the bottle; but Bliss's accident cured him," replies Mr. -Halston. "But here we are at the kennels, and I must get on; I want to -ride over to Halstead and see old Widow Greaves; she's a bit ailing; so -good-night, Tom." - -"Good-night, sir; good-night. See you out, I suppose, on Friday at -Fearndale? Sure to find in the wood," says Tom, muttering to himself as -he gets off his horse: "There's one of the best men in the world, danged -if he ain't." - -Mr. Halston is trotting along home, thinking over the events of the day -and a hundred-and-one other things, when he is startled by the sudden -reappearance of old Tom at his side, who, looking rather scared in -answer to his inquiry of "What's the matter?" says: "There's been a -fearful accident at the pits, sir; my nephew's just come over. Explosion -or summat; there's five-and-twenty poor chaps blocked up, 'e do say, and -I thought you'd like to know on it." - -Before Tom has well finished speaking, the Parson is urging his horse at -best pace in the direction of the Deep-seam Pit, much to that animal's -disgust. He pulls up at the first cottage he comes to, and, calling out -a boy, sends him off to Copthorpe with a message to say where he has -gone, and they need not expect him home at present, and that his groom -is to ride Jerry over at once to take back his hunter. - -"Look sharp, my lad," says he, tossing the boy a shilling, "and tell -James to bring over my bottles with him--port and brandy--he'll know." -And again he is on his way. On arriving at the scene of the accident he -finds a large crowd of weeping women collected round the pit-mouth, -making "confusion worse confused," and seriously interfering with the -work of salvation. - -Amidst the universal grief and terror he is not noticed at first, but -when men and women simultaneously recognise him, if ever a man had -reason to be proud, surely Mr. Halston is that man, for such a shout is -raised of "Here's t' ould Parson; God bless 'un! we knowed 'e'd come; -it's right now," as tells him plainly the place he holds in the hearts -of these rough men and sorrowing women. - -"Here, take my horse," says he to one of the men; and as Bell comes up -he asks: "What is being done?" "Volunteers for an exploring party," -briefly answers the inspector; and Mr. Halston steps forward and -addresses the crowd. - -"My lads," he says, "I am an old man, and perhaps some of you will think -it ain't my place to go down; but, thank God, I can still wield a pick -with anyone, and with His help we'll get the boys out. No, Mr. Bell," -as the inspector tries to dissuade him; "if I ain't much use myself, -they'll work all the better for having their Rector with them. And now -one word to you, my daughters. You can do no good here. Go home, and get -things ready for your husbands against the time we bring them up safe -and sound. Now" (to the engineer) "we are ready. Steady, keep your -breath for work, lads," as cheer after cheer rends the air; and in a few -moments the group of brave volunteers are descending the shaft on their -errand of mercy. - -All through the night they toil, relieving each other in shifts, working -as only men can work when the lives of fellow-creatures depend on their -exertions. The Parson is everywhere, quiet, calm, and collected, -encouraging and directing, yet taking all his share of manual labour. - -Twice he has to be sent to the surface, faint and gasping for breath; -but almost before his absence is detected, he is back again in the -centre of the noble band. - -By 2 A.M. the first six of the imprisoned miners are found, badly -burned, but still alive; and before the sun has risen the whole of the -twenty-five are restored to their wives, with the exception of three, -whose work in this world is finished for ever. - -Worn out as he is, Mr. Halston stops to comfort as best he can the -fatherless and widow, and then Jerry carries him home. Men miss his -kindly face at Fearndale on the Friday, but they know where he is, for -the story of his heroism spreads far and wide; and when next he appears -in the field, all press forward to do him honour. On the way to their -first draw that day a fox jumps up in the open, and goes straight over -Milston Brook. Tom has his hounds on the line in a crack, and before -anyone has time to look round, three figures are seen sailing away over -the grass on the far side of the water--Tom; Charles the First Whip, -and, in front of all--the Parson. - - - - -THE DOCTOR. - - -"Never saw such weather or such a season in my life, Sir John. They tell -us that 'a green winter makes a full churchyard,' but the saying doesn't -hold good down here. Why, bless my heart, everybody's out hunting -instead of being ill, and there's nothing for me to do at all." - -"Ah Doctor," replies the Master, laughing, "it's better for us than for -you then; and yet, in the long run, if the truth was known, I expect you -can score more kills than my hounds." - -A busy man is Edward Wilson, Esq., M.D., with an increasing practice -necessitating the help of an assistant. Yet so devoted is he to -hunting, that he thinks it a very hard case if he does not manage one -day a-week with the hounds. As he rides up, the picture of robust health -and the pink of neatness, one would scarcely imagine, as one listens to -his chaffing about the weather and the paucity of patients, that he had -had exactly two hours' sleep the night before, and was almost certain to -find a message on his return home, calling him away some seven or eight -miles, with the prospect of another nocturnal vigil. Yet such is the -case. Yesterday afternoon, when he came back from his round, he had said -to Thomas his coachman: "I shall manage a day to-morrow, Thomas; I don't -think there is anything likely to happen, so have old Ladybird ready for -me in the morning. They meet at Willowfield Lodge, and are certain to -draw towards home." - -Just as he was going to bed, a groom from Lorton Towers came galloping -into his yard with an urgent message "As 'ow Doctor wur wanted at once; -Lady Slowboy's took bad;" and away he had to go to assist the future -Lord Slowboy on his "first appearance on any stage." - -"Hang it all; she might have put it off," he said to himself as he -buttoned his coat; "but I'm not going to lose my day's hunting for fifty -heirs of Lorton;" and at 5.30 A.M., the ceremony being over, before -turning in he gave orders that he was to be called at half-past seven, -and at half-past ten he arrives, as we see him, hale and hearty, at -Willowfield Lodge. - -Very well mounted is the Doctor, for he knows a horse when he sees one; -and though he only keeps two--or rather, as he himself puts it, "one and -a half" (the second one having to take him occasionally on professional -trips)--they are both something above the average, and when hounds are -running, Ladybird or Precipitate, the two horses, are pretty nearly -certain to be seen in the van. It does not require a second glance at -the keen eyes, the determined mouth, wreathed in a cheery smile, and -the strong nervous hands, to show that before one is a man of iron will. - -Prompt of decision, quick at diagnosing disease, with a heart full of -sympathy for suffering, yet never faltering when forced to resort to the -knife, Edward Wilson has made a name for himself second to none in that -part of England. Indeed, over and over again his old friend and patron, -Sir George Fennel, the great London physician, has urged him to migrate -to town; but his answer is always the same: - -"Couldn't live through one season. I must be in the fresh air; and if I -did not see hounds now and then, I should pine away. Besides, I should -miss all my old friends in Bullshire so; and as for fame, old Widow -Fletcher and John Billings the blacksmith would not believe you if you -told them there was a cleverer man than myself living! Poor souls! it -shows their ignorance; but what more can I want?" - -The Doctor is quite right. Among the poor he and the Parson run a -neck-and-neck race for popularity. Perhaps from the fact of being -associated with that, to them, great mystery--medicine--the Doctor is -held in greater awe; but they all remember how, hand-in-hand, the two -fought death in the fever-time; and the great authorities I have -mentioned--the widow and the blacksmith--assert that "Doctor ay does -know summat about rheumatiz; ay's got some stuff as sends it away all in -a jiff like." - -It is fifteen years ago since Edward Wilson, then five-and-twenty, came -down to Bullshire as assistant to old Dr. Johnstone. He rather -astonished the methodical old practitioner with his theories, for the -young Doctor, whose whole soul was in his profession, had read deeply -and judiciously, and was far in advance of the old-fashioned routine of -blood-letting, cupping, and Epsom salts. - -At first folks shook their heads, and muttered "Quackery;" but one or -two bad cases, which had been given over as hopeless by the principal, -being successfully pulled through by the assistant, they began to think -that after all there was something in the young fellow; and the surgical -skill he displayed when, together with every other available medical -man, he was called to the scene of the fearful railway accident at -Billingdon, confirmed their opinion. - -A year after this, old Johnstone died suddenly, and Wilson, after a -brisk competition, bought his practice. Directly he felt himself his own -master, he allowed his ideas a free scope, and consequently in a very -short time his undoubted talent made itself known throughout the -country-side, and the practice increased so enormously that, young and -energetic as he was, he found it necessary to take an assistant, -choosing after much deliberation the son of an old college chum and -fellow-student. - -"Why, Doctor, who'd have thought of seeing you to-day? I thought you -were at Lorton all last night," exclaims Mr. Noble, Lord Slowboy's -agent, who rides up as Sir John finishes his repartee. - -"So I was, Noble," replies our M.D., "but her ladyship, I am thankful to -say, let me off at half-past five; and, as I was just telling Sir John, -there being nothing else for me to do this weather, I thought I would -come out on the chance of a job in the field." - -"I hope you may be disappointed, then, for once. What a blood-thirsty -villain! Did you ever hear such a thing, Boulter?" says the Master to -the Secretary, who has just arrived on a new steed. - -"Hear what?" rejoins that worthy. - -"Why," continues Sir John, "the Doctor here says he saw you pass his -window on that new horse, and has come out to follow in your wake all -day, as he feels convinced you will break your neck, leg, or arm, or do -something which he can turn into a fee." - -"Don't you believe it," interrupts Mr. Wilson with a laugh; "it would -not pay me to mend you, for directly you got well you'd be dunning me -for a subscription, and I might whistle for my fees. But look at Tom; he -evidently thinks it is time to be moving. Who-ho, old lady" (to his -horse), "who-ho," as old Tom, having got the signal, trots by with the -pack, and, lifting his cap in response to the Doctor's greeting, says: - -"Main glad to see you out, Doctor; hope we shall find a good 'un for -you." - -In a few minutes the hounds are thrown in, and Mr. Wilson finds himself -with Mr. Halston (the clergyman) and Charles at a convenient corner of -the covert. As bad luck will have it, though, the fox breaks away on the -far side. - -"Bless my soul, this is rough," exclaims the Doctor; "come on;" and -putting old Ladybird at the fence he goes crashing through the wood, -followed by his two companions. As they emerge on the other side they -see the hounds streaming away some three fields off below them, and have -the satisfaction of knowing that for once they have got as bad a start -as could well be. - -"It's for Blessington Osiers," says Charles. "If we cut across to the -left and over the brook we shall hit it off." - -"You are right, Charles," rejoins the Parson. "What do you say, Wilson?" - -"For'ard on, then," replies the Doctor; and the trio gallop off almost -in a contrary direction to the hounds. They negotiate the water in -safety, and pull up by the side of the Osiers just as the hunted fox -enters them. Charles rides off to the bottom end to view him through, -and as Tom comes up with the pack his "Tailly-ho, for'ard a-w-a-i-y!" -proclaims the fact that Reynard has not found Blessington a place of -rest. - -"Why, where the deuce have you arrived from?" is the universal question -asked by all the field. - -"Home," says the Doctor with a chuckle, as he sets Ladybird going now -in her proper place--in the front rank--and swings over a nasty fence -with a double ditch. As he lands on the other side he notices the -Secretary's nephew, a young lad who is riding a chestnut that is -evidently as much as the boy can manage, and as his eye falls on the -stiff timber which appears at the far end of the field he wonders what -will happen. "Don't go too fast at the rails, my boy," he says. "Steady. -My G--d, what a smash!" as the impetuous brute rushes at the fence, and, -breasting the top rail, turns a regular somersault, throwing the boy, -luckily, clear of him. - -The Doctor is off his horse in a moment, and hounds and hunting are -forgotten as he kneels by the side of the pale little face, supporting -the lad's head on his breast, and feeling with professional skill for -any injury. - -"Stand back, gentlemen, please," he exclaims, as some of the field -collect round. "Give the boy air. There's nothing wrong beyond a slight -shock and a broken arm. Ah Boulter, don't be alarmed," as the Secretary -rides up. "Get him in a cart, and drive him home. I'll be round and set -his arm directly." - -"I'm all right, uncle," says the nephew, who has revived after a pull at -the Doctor's flask. "Let me go on." - -"No, my boy, you can't go on. You've broken your arm, and will have to -be quiet for a bit," replies Mr. Boulter. - -"What a bore!" ejaculates the lad; but adds, with a twinkle in his eye, -"You'll have to pay Doctor Wilson a fee after all, uncle." - -Everybody laughs at this, and the Doctor mutters under his breath: -"That's what I call pluck." Then, trotting off home to fetch his -paraphernalia, he is at The Grange almost as soon as the invalid. After -making him comfortable, the Doctor has to go off on other errands of -mercy, and as he drives the seven miles to visit his next patient, he -tells Thomas that he is sorry to have missed the end of the run, but if -anything could repay him it is the amount of pluck shown by the -Secretary's little nephew. - -Once a year he takes a two months' holiday, in July and August, when he, -together with three old college chums, may be seen clad in blue serge -and drinking in great draughts of health on the deck of the yacht which -belongs to the eldest of them. They generally wind up with a fortnight -at the grouse, and then the Doctor returns to Bullshire with renewed -life and with a fund of anecdote and adventures by sea and land, to hear -him relate which is as good for a sick man as any of the prescriptions -which he writes in his peculiarly neat handwriting. - -Wherever he goes, castle or cottage, hall or homestead, his presence -always cheers and lights up the sick-room, and Doctor Wilson's visit is -looked forward to by the invalid as the pleasantest bit of his long day. - - - - -THE DEALERS. - - -"Yes, sir, he's a niceish little horse, up to a goodish bit of weight -too, and carries a lady. My daughter rides him often, and she says he's -as handy as a kitten." - -There is nothing very remarkable about the speaker, and but for the -undeniable bit of "good stuff" he is riding, one would scarcely notice -him in the crowd assembled at the meet. - -As he turns half round to make the foregoing remark, allowing his right -hand to rest on his horse's flank, a dark bay of wondrous shape, one may -perhaps be struck with the peculiar look of shrewdness displayed in his -eyes, and notice the ease with which he sits in his saddle; but beyond -that there is nothing at first sight to mark a difference from any other -man in the field. - -But Mr. James Holden the Dealer, more generally known as Old Jimmy -Holden, is something out of the common. - -First, he is one of the best judges of a horse in England, with some -forty years' experience to back him. - -Secondly, he is a man of the keenest perception. In two seconds he will -sum you up as well as if he had been acquainted with you for a lifetime, -and knows intuitively at a glance how much you are "good for." - -Thirdly, he is one of the best and neatest riders imaginable, with a -supreme contempt for such superfluous matter as nerves. Being possessed -of hands of silk and will of iron, he can hand a raw young 'un over the -stiffest country in the hunt, and make him perform as well as a -thoroughly seasoned hunter. - -Lastly, he is absolutely trustworthy--that is to say, if you tell him -that you want a horse and cannot afford more than such-and-such a sum, -he will supply you with the best article that can be got for the money, -frankly telling you any defects, and leaving himself but a fair margin -of profit. If, however, a purchaser thinks himself very knowing and pits -himself against Jimmy Holden, it is long odds that that bumptious -individual, the purchaser, will find himself in the wrong box, for Jimmy -takes a pleasure in getting what he calls "six to four the best of a -knowing card." - -He displays a vast amount of _esprit de corps_ concerning his own hunt, -always keeping the pick of the bunch for some of his Bullshire -customers. "You see," he says with a smile, "I meet them all out in the -field, and if I was to come across any of my gents riding one of my -'osses that I knew to be a bad 'un, why I could not say good-morning -with a free conscience or a light heart. That horse would be always -staring me in the face, and making me uncomfortable." - -To outsiders, however, he does not always show so much compunction, as -the following anecdote will show. There was a young cotton lord who one -season came down to stay with one of the members of the Bullshire for a -month's hunting, and, being in want of a horse, was advised to go to Mr. -Holden. Exceedingly knowing in matters of horseflesh did this young -gentleman consider himself, and as he was rolling in wealth he also gave -himself pretty considerable airs. - -Accordingly he despatched the following epistle to Freshfield, where -Jimmy's house and stables were situated: "Mr. Tinsel, being in want of a -hunter, and hearing that James Holden is an honest dealer, will thank -him to bring over two or three for his inspection to-morrow to The -Shrubbery. Mr. Tinsel begs to say he requires a good horse and not a -screw." - -Now old Jimmy Holden was not accustomed to this sort of thing. He had, -with his father before him, become quite an institution in the -Bullshire country, and everybody knowing what a right-down good -sportsman he was, always treated him more as an equal than anything -else, or at all events with respect and in good-fellowship. Indeed it -was considered rather a privilege to buy one of his horses, and his -company in the field was always sought after, where his fund of anecdote -and quaint humour were wont to keep everybody in a roar. Therefore it -may be imagined that the letter rubbed him up the wrong way in no slight -degree, and not a word did he vouchsafe in reply. - -The next time the hounds met, Mr. Tinsel, who was riding one of his -friend's horses, came up to him and said, in a most offensive way: "You -are Holden, the horse-dealer, ain't you?" - -"My name is Holden, sir," replied old Jimmy, looking over the top of the -young snob's head. - -"Well, then, why the devil did not you answer my letter? I want a horse, -and told you to bring me over two or three to look at," continued young -Manchester. "Is that your sort of way of doing business? because it -ain't mine." - -"I presume, sir, your name is Tinsel. If so, I beg to inform you that I -am not in the habit of bringing over horses for strangers to look at. If -you like to drive over to Freshfield, my foreman will show you one at my -stables," said Jimmy, and straightway rode off fuming, while a visible -smile was seen on the faces of all those within hearing. - -"Sell him The Baron," said two or three of them; "it will serve him -right." - -The Baron was a grand-looking beast, whose appearance had deceived the -wily James into buying him over in the "Land of the Shamrock;" but with -his good looks his virtues came to an end, for he was without exception -the veriest brute to ride imaginable, being a confirmed bolter, with no -mouth, and with an awkward habit, if he did manage to get rid of his -rider, of rushing at him open-mouthed, or else trying to kick his brains -out. He had been tried at everything, but it was always the same, -whether in saddle or harness; he was a regular man-eating savage. - -Hitherto Holden had refused absolutely to part with him, though he had -had more than one offer; but so outraged were his feelings on this -occasion that he took the advice given, and Mr. Tinsel shortly became -the owner of The Baron in exchange for a cheque for two hundred pounds. - -It must be owned that at the last moment Jimmy relented, and told the -young gentleman he had better not buy; but with the obstinacy of -ignorance Tinsel insisted on the bargain, and so had his way. - -The result was a foregone conclusion. The first day he took him out the -brute ran away with him for six miles straight on end, jumping into the -river to wind up with, from which predicament Mr. Tinsel was rescued -just in time to save him from a watery grave. - -The Baron emerged safely on the far side, and when caught was there and -then despatched to town for sale without reserve, being followed in a -couple of days by his owner. This, however, happened some years ago, and -Jimmy Holden does not care to say very much about it now. - -As the hounds move off, one of the field, a Mr. Briggs, finds it -impossible to help breaking the tenth commandment and coveting the -little bay, and when he sees the easy way in which the animal pops over -the stiff rails out of the big grass-meadow, making as little of them as -if they were a flight of hurdles, while he himself has been in vain -looking all round for a convenient gate, the covetous desire increases, -and a settled determination takes possession of him to become the owner -or perish in the attempt. - -Meanwhile Jimmy has noted all this, and though that jump seemed so -carelessly and easily done, he well knows the value of it, and is quite -prepared to hear Mr. Briggs say, as he does: "Is that bay for sale, -Holden?" - -"All my horses are for sale, sir," he replies with a smile; adding, -after a pause, "at a price." - -Thereupon Briggs tries to look as if he was not the least interested in -the matter, and accordingly shows most plainly how anxious he is to buy. -"Oh, ah, yes," says he, "he seems likely to make a hunter. How much do -you ask?" - -"Well, sir, seeing that you are an old customer, I will let you have him -at a hundred and twenty; but take my advice, Mr. Briggs, and when you -are buying don't show as you're so sweet on the animal; it's as good as -putting another five-and-twenty guineas on the price. However, you shall -try him the day after to-morrow, and if you like the horse, which I am -sure you will, you can have him at the price I said." - -Needless to say Mr. Briggs _does_ like him, and a piece of paper signed -with his name transfers one hundred and twenty guineas to the account of -James Holden at the local bank, though it must be confessed that the -little bay does not perform quite so brilliantly under his new master's -guidance as he did on the occasion when the exhibition at the rails so -delighted his heart. - - -It was not to be supposed that Jimmy Holden would be left for ever in -undisputed possession of such a lucrative position as dealer-in-ordinary -to the Bullshire Hunt, and at one time there was quite an influx of -veterinary surgeons, job-masters, and copers of all sorts; but they all -dropped off and disappeared with the exception of one individual, who -was a constant thorn in Jimmy's side, and whom he hated with a hate -surpassing that of women (the inverse applies equally to the fair sex, -love and hatred both being qualities they excel in). - -He was named Seaford--Captain Seaford he called himself, though the Army -List was innocent and silent as to his name or his regiment. - -"A nasty, snivelling, horse-coping snob," was Jimmy's verdict; "brings -discredit on the profession, and makes people think as we're all -rogues." - -There was a deal of truth in this, for Seaford was as big a scamp as -ever doctored a broken-winded nag or bishoped an old stager. Now and -then he had a good horse, but it was the exception; and when such an -accident did happen it was a wonder that he ever managed to shut his -mouth again, so wide did he open it. - -Farmer Simms used to say on those occasions: "Ay could see right through -un' like a telescope." - -A most plausible scoundrel is he notwithstanding, and if he manages to -get hold of some new-comer he will stick to him like a leech till he has -screwed something out of him. Of course he hunts, and equally of course -he arrives rather late, not being over fond of letting his wares get -cool--and stiff--at the meet. - -He is mounted, perhaps, on a raking-looking chestnut mare. There is a -good deal of "furniture" about her, such as breast-plate and martingale; -the throat-strap is broad, and the band across the forehead is blue and -white enamel. That the mare can jump there is no doubt, for she sails -over the big bank and ditch in rare form, and for two or three fields -(Captain) Seaford is in front. After a little he is to be seen on -another animal, which, when there are enough people round to see, can -perform nearly as well as the chestnut, who is now on her way home. If -anyone happens to meet her they will be somewhat surprised to see how -lame she goes. "Run a nail into 'er 'oof," is the groom's version; but -an F.R.C.V.S. would be puzzled to find that nail, and his certificate -would show the lameness to proceed from a very different cause. - -It is a marvel how Seaford manages to "pick up" so many flats, but he -does a thriving trade; and though occasionally he has to square an -unpleasant business, he has always a plausible tale ready to hand, and -so comes out with merely a scratch on his somewhat shady character. - -Once he outdid himself, and was as nearly put in prison as ever he -wishes to be. It happened as follows. One evening, late, a couple of -fur-capped individuals brought a horse into his yard and asked him if he -would buy. A glance showed him the animal was valuable, and the price -asked being only twenty pounds Seaford naturally concluded that it was a -stolen one. However, he argued, it was nothing to do with him, and -bought it there and then. Next day the police found it in his stables, -and hard work it was for the Freshfield lawyer to prevent the -magistrates committing the gallant Captain as a receiver of stolen -goods. - -The reason for his having incurred Jimmy's hatred is because he was -sharp enough once, soon after he had come into the country, to sell him -a broken-winded nag; and Jimmy never hears the last of it to this day. -However, he swears he will be "even with the scamp yet," and being a man -of his word there is little doubt but that he will. - - - - -THE GRUMBLER. - - -A very enthusiastic individual is Mr. Bowles, J.P., or, as he is more -generally called, The Major, from his connection with the local -Volunteer force, which, it may almost be said, he founded. Liberal with -his money, and at heart a good fellow and keen sportsman, his one great -failing is the use, or abuse, of that Englishman's acknowledged -privilege--grumbling. - -He is never happy unless he is finding fault with something or somebody. -No matter what it is, the stars in their courses have always conspired -against him personally, or some unfortunate person has done the very -thing they should not have done, and so brought the matter in hand to -utter grief. - -Of course if they had listened to the Major everything would have -progressed swimmingly; but as his opinions were seldom given until the -fiasco had occurred (if occur it did), and even then were -conflicting--not to say contradictory--recourse was seldom had to that -fount of advice. It is generally whispered in Bullshire that when -Bowles, after an infinity of trouble and expense, managed to inspire a -certain amount of military enthusiasm sufficient for the formation of -the corps of Bullshire Rifles, he refused to accept the command of them, -in order that he might afterwards be able to say: - -"Just like my luck; took all the trouble of getting the thing up, and -then they go and put in a man over my head. A man, sir, who does not -know his right hand from his left; a duffer, sir; a rank impostor, who -calls himself Colonel, and is as ignorant of the drill-book as---- But, -there; it's always the same." - -As a magistrate and justice of the peace he is equally aggrieved. -Witnesses somehow never can give their evidence in a straightforward -manner, and the decisions of the Bench afford him vast scope for -criticism. "Never heard of such a thing," he will tell you. "Man brought -up for poaching. Found with a gun, going along the road. Asked what he -was doing. Said he was taking it to be mended. Would you believe it? -They dismissed the case, notwithstanding all I could say. Gave him the -benefit of the doubt, sir; and they call that justice, by Heaven!" - -It is no use pointing out that ample evidence was produced at the -inquiry to show that the man's story was correct, he was taking the gun -to be mended, and an over-zealous local policeman had, as is by no means -unusual, exceeded his duty. The Major will reply that he knows, and if -the magistrates don't choose to exercise their powers, every loafer in -Bullshire will be carrying a gun to be mended. - -A stranger would naturally suppose from this that Mr. Bowles was not -blessed with much heart; but he would be wrong. For it is a well-known -fact that often when, in his official capacity, he has been forced to -fine some poor devil who had been "looking on the wine when it was -red"--or rather the beer when it was amber--and the sight had been too -much for him, the Major, after the bench had dispersed, would drive -round to the delinquent's cottage and gladden the sorrowing wife by -putting into her hand double the amount of the fine that had been -inflicted. - -In the hunting-field he is looked upon as a standing joke, and if there -are signs of a cover being blank, or a long wait at a cold corner, there -is sure to be a party made up to "draw" the Major, the best of it being -that he never sees men are laughing at him, but lays down the law, and -abuses, condemns, and complains with the utmost heartiness and -volubility. - -Though a good horseman and forward rider, he never knows one horse from -another if they are anything at all alike in colour; and it is the same -with dogs. If you were to put any of his own retrievers along with some -others, and ask him to point out those which belonged to him, he could -not do it to save his life. Two rather funny incidents happened to him -from this cause, the first with a horse, and the second concerning a -dog. - -One season he had a particularly good-looking bay, but finding it too -hot for him he determined to sell, and so sent it up to London to a -dealer, whom, when old Jimmy Holden had nothing that suited, he was wont -to employ, getting a hundred guineas for it. A short time after he went -to town himself, and going to the same man's yard was struck with the -appearance of a good-looking bay, and bought it at a hundred and forty -guineas. When the horse came down to his stables the stud-groom came in -and said to him: "Why, sir, you didn't tell me as how you'd bought The -Prince again." - -"Prince, you fool," replied the Major; "I've not bought The Prince." - -But he had, and had also paid forty guineas, besides railway fares, for -the animal's trip to London and back. - -The other affair, though perhaps almost telling more against himself, -was not so expensive. He had given his friend, Lord Acres, a black -retriever with a high character and a long pedigree, and had made no -little parade of the gift. A few weeks afterwards he was shooting at -Home Wood (Acres' place), and the dog was out. According to his usual -custom, Bowles was grumbling at everything; guns, birds, cartridges, -weather, and his servant all came in for their share. At last he pitched -on the dog, and turning to his host during the process of lunch, he -said: "Can't think, Acres, where you manage to pick up your dogs! Look -at that mongrel brute there. Never saw such a beast in my life. He's -only fit to run behind a butcher's cart." - -"Why, Major," replied his lordship, roaring with laughter, "that's -looking a gift-horse in the mouth with a vengeance. It's your own dog -that you gave me." - -Bowles acknowledges now that for once in his life he wishes he had not -spoken. - - -It is a beautiful morning for hunting. The late frost--which, though it -lasted but a week, was sharp--is well out of the ground, and everybody -who owns anything with four legs, besides a number who are dependent on -their own, have turned out with the hounds at Mickleborough Green. - -The landlord of The Three Bells, that quaint old inn--with its remains -of past glories, as shown by its spacious coach-stables--which stands -back from the road facing the green, is doing a roaring trade; and -Lizzie the barmaid says her "arms do just ache a-drawing the beer." The -hounds gathered round old Tom on the green, with pink coats dotted here -and there, present as pretty a picture as one could wish to see. All are -in high spirits and congratulating each other and themselves on the -change in the weather and the prospects of a run. Chaff is flying thick -about "the old mare's big leg," or "the lucky thing the frost was for -that young horse who was pulled out on all occasions;" and old Tom comes -in for his share, being told that "both the hounds and himself look as -if they had been doing themselves well on those non-hunting -days--waistcoat buttons a bit tight, eh Tom?" and such-like banter. - -Presently, along the road the Major appears, in company with Mr. Boulter -the Secretary, and young Earnshaw, who is learning farming--by hunting -four days a-week--with Mr. Noble. - -"Here's Bowles," say two or three sportsmen; "he can't find much to -grumble at to-day, anyhow." - -As he rides up they greet him with a hearty "Good-morning, Major; -lovely day, isn't it?" - -"Lovely day? Lovely fiddlestick!" is the reply. "Up to your neck in mud. -Country so heavy you can't ride, and then of all places to pick out -Mickleborough! Why, the water will be out all over the bottom. But -there, it's always the same. I told Lappington he ought to meet at the -Kennels; but nobody ever listens to me." - -"Well, but Bowles," interrupts the Secretary; "we met at the Kennels the -last fixture before the frost." - -"And you ought to meet the first day after. By Heavens, I'd meet every -day there till the country was fit to ride," grumbles the Major. "Look -at the hounds too. Why, Tom must have got the whole pack out, and -borrowed some besides. Now I ask you, can we expect any sport with such -a pack as that? 'Pon my soul the Hunt's going to the devil." - -"Short of work, Major; must give 'em a bit of exercise," puts in the -Huntsman, as Bowles rides off to anathematise the landlord of The Three -Bells, for presuming to offer him a glass of "d----d muddy home-brewed," -calling, however, for a second edition of the same. By this time the -Master has arrived and there is a general bustle, a tightening of -girths, a shortening of stirrups, and the usual preparations for a -start. The word goes round that the first draw will be Mickleborough -Wood, and Tom with the hounds is already on his way there before it -reaches the ear of the Major, at that moment engaged in an altercation -with his servant, who, according to Bowles, has put a wrong bridle on -his second horse, but, according to the man himself, has only obeyed his -master's instructions. - -No sooner does he hear the appointed place than he gives up the bridle -argument, and making his way to where the Master and others are trotting -down the lane, commences: "You don't mean to say, Lappington, you're -going to put them into the Wood? Why, we shall never get away, and the -rides will be impassable. My good sir, just think. Here, some of you -fellows, try and persuade him, he never listens to me, nobody ever -does;" adding, under his breath, "never heard such d----d folly in my -life." - -"Why, Bowles," replies Sir John, laughing, "you said a minute ago that -the bottoms would be under water, and now you object to the high ground. -Where would you go to, you old growler?" - -"Growler be hanged: I never grumble. But it is a little bit too much, -when one comes out for a day's hunting, to be turned loose into a forest -of trees growing on a bog. The man who planted Mickleborough Wood ought -to have been hung," says Bowles. - -What more he might have added will never be known, for at this instant a -ringing view holloa is heard, and the hounds are away full cry, a fox -having jumped up in a spinney on the road to the Wood. - -"Just like my luck," the Major is heard to ejaculate, as he puts his -nag at the fence out of the lane. "Whenever I try and give anybody -advice they tell me I am growling. Hold up, you awkward devil," to his -horse, who pecks a bit on landing. "And here have I been wasting my time -teaching a pack of idiots how to hunt the country, and lost my start." - -After running hard for a quarter of an hour, the hounds check in a road, -half the pack having flashed over the line. - -Here the Major is in his glory, and holds forth. "What did I say this -morning? If they will bring out every hound in the kennel, how can they -expect them to hunt. Look there, now; look there. What the devil's the -use of taking them up the road? The fox is for'ard, I'll wager. 'Pon my -oath, I believe old Tom is getting past his work. There's that young -ass, Simms, too, messing about--always in the way. I should like to know -how he finds time to hunt. Every farmer seems to be able to do -everything nowadays, and when they want to pay their corn-bill they cry -out about the weather and ask for a reduction of rent." - -"Not quite so bad as all that, Major," exclaim one or two farmers, who -think it time to stick up for their characters. "Not quite so bad as all -that. We likes to ride as well as anyone, and we likes to see others -enjoy themselves over our land. But there, we know you don't mean it." - -Just then, as if to convict the Major, Harbinger hits off the line up -the road, and they are away again a cracker, Bowles coming in for plenty -of chaff about the fox being for'ard and Tom being past his work. - -To give him his due, he was right when he blamed the country, for it is -precious heavy, and plenty of grief is the order of the day. The scent, -too, improving, with every hundred yards, it becomes hard work to live -with them. Sir John, as usual, is well up, and a few others are close in -his wake, among them Bowles, whose coat, by-the-way, shows evident -signs of contact with mother-earth--a catastrophe that was brought -about, he says, "by the idiotic way that people mend their fences, with -a great rail run through them." - -However, when, after an hour and ten minutes, they run to ground, even -he is fain to allow that they have had a real good thing, though he -qualifies the admission with a few scathing remarks on the slovenly way -in which the earths are stopped: "A disgrace to the country, by Heaven!" - -Riding home he asks a few men to dinner the next day at his house, -amongst them Sir John Lappington and Mr. Wilson the Doctor--in case of -accidents, he says. His invitation is eagerly accepted, for his dinners -are proverbial and his wine undeniable. To see him at his own table you -would scarcely know him again for the same man. The grumbling has all -been got over before the guests arrive; and as you drive home--with that -comfortable feeling of having dined well, wisely, and in pleasant -company--you bear away a cheerful remembrance of witty sayings and -thorough good-fellowship, of a countenance beaming with fun, and stories -which, if you wake in the night and think of, will cause you to laugh -afresh. - -Nearly all these happy feelings and memories you may safely put down to -the skill of your host the Major, whose sole failing, as I have said, -lies in the fact that, from habit, in the field, he has become a -Grumbler. - - - - -THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND RIDES. - - -Wildmere House is a favourite meet with the Bullshire, consequently -there is always a large field out at that fixture, every class of -sportsman being represented, both those who mean business and those who -merely come to partake of the good cheer offered them, and afterwards, -when hounds begin to run, retire into the background, unless, indeed, -some handy highroad lies parallel to the chase, when they reappear, -splashed with mud, and enthusiastic _ad nauseam_. - -Most hospitable of entertainers is Colonel Talford, who occupies The -House; and with his pretty wife to assist him, there is little fear of -any complaints being heard as to the quality or quantity of the -breakfast. Equally certain is old Tom that a real straight-necked -good-hearted fox is ready for him either in the Home Wood or Ravenshill -Copse, for the Colonel makes it a rule with his keepers that there shall -be foxes, and they know well that his rules are like the laws of the -Medes and Persians--unalterable. - -"No foxes, no keepers," is what he says; and if the quarry is not -forthcoming, unless a very good reason can be given, go they have to. - -He once came upon Velveteens in the act of burying a fox that he had -trapped and knocked on the head--or, to be more accurate, Mrs. Talford, -who was riding back from the Dairy Farm, saw the funeral going on, and -told her husband. The man was a new keeper, who had been with him barely -a month, and as a keeper was considered quite first-class. But there and -then the Colonel went out, had the fox dug up, and made the man take it -over to Sir John Lappington, riding himself all the way behind him to -see that he did it. - -Through the main street of the village they went in procession, the men -(for it was evening) turning out and hooting the unfortunate vulpecide; -and when he had delivered his burden and apologised, the Colonel said: -"Now you can go back and pack up your things; this is your last day in -my service." His wages were paid that night, and in spite of all -entreaties, the next day he left Colonel Talford and Bullshire for ever. - -It is a lovely morning as Tom rides up with his beauties in front of the -house, and, saluting the host and hostess, tosses off the glass of -sparkling ale that is handed to him. There had been a catch of frost on -the Monday, and folks learned in weather-lore had predicted a hard time; -but nothing came of it, for a shower of rain on Tuesday night had -utterly routed the destroyer of sport; and on the Thursday at Wildmere -it is as fine a hunting-day as one could wish--if anything perhaps a -shade too warm. - -"We must give them a few minutes, Sir John," says Mrs. Talford to the -Master, who has just arrived. "The Melton train is late, and there are -always a few who honour us on this occasion by trying to cut us all -down." - -"Certainly, Mrs. Talford," replies Lappington, smiling and taking out -his watch. "We will give them a quarter of an hour; but you need not be -so fearfully sarcastic about the Meltonians. I think it is generally the -other way. If I remember rightly, I have seen a lady on a horse called -Queen Bee who generally requires a great deal of cutting down, and I -have heard it said that this same lady is impossible to beat." - -"Nonsense, Sir John; you know that if I do manage to get over the -country it is all the Queen's doing, not mine. She's a dear, is not she? -But come in and have something; my husband wants to see you about -drawing the Copse first," rejoins Mrs. Talford, leading the way into -the dining-room, and evidently pleased at the Master's flattery. - -In a quarter of an hour, the Melton detachment having come up, the -signal is given to move, and a long cavalcade trot off for Ravenshill. A -minute or two later two horses are seen cantering across the grass to -catch up the hounds; one carries Colonel Talford, and the other (the -redoubtable Queen Bee) his wife. - -As they come up and press forward to where Tom's white head is seen -bobbing in the middle of the pack, men point her out, and you hear a -whisper of "There she is, that's her--riding the same horse too; by -Jove, old fellow, it's all very well to say 'only a woman,' but if you -can beat her you'll do. Why, the last time we met here she cut us all -down and hung us up to dry; only rode one horse all day. Dick Valpy had -three out, and you know how he can ride; but I'm blessed if he didn't -get nearly drowned in the brook, while she sailed over it as if it was -nothing. We'd been running for forty minutes then, but she can save her -horse as well as ride, I can tell you." - -Some who have not seen her express their doubts, and vow that "No woman -ever beat them yet, and, by gad, sir, they never shall;" but they do not -know Mrs. Talford or Queen Bee, and before the day is over they will -tell another tale. - -Yet you would never take her for a hard rider, though anyone at a glance -can see she is a finished horsewoman. Nothing could possibly be quieter -than her turn-out. A well-fitting, well-cut, rough cloth habit, rather -short; a neat white silk handkerchief tied and folded round a high -stand-up linen collar, just showing, like a man's scarf, where the habit -is made with a step; a small black felt hat, of the kind known as a -"billycock," covering her well-shaped head, the hair of which is -gathered into a small knot behind; while in her hand she carries a -hunting-crop, made of a holly that she herself cut from the lawn in -front of the house. - -Her seat is easy yet firm, and very square on her saddle. Those small -hands too, which look as if they could hurt no living thing, can hold -and control a puller with wondrous power, a fact her horses seem to -recognise directly she takes up the reins of her bridle, for they go so -quietly under her hand that one is forced to wonder what it was that -made them fret and tear in such a disagreeable way when Mrs. A---- or -Lady B---- claimed them for their own, in the days before they found -that they were "too much for them," and had to sell them to the Colonel -at a discount. - -With all this, as she, having ranged up alongside of the pack, pulls up -Queen Bee into a trot, and pats the neck of that more than perfect -animal, one cannot help a feeling of astonishment that so slight and -delicate-looking a woman should be able to go so hard; and in our inmost -hearts we feel that if we could lay claim to half as straight a course -as Mrs. Talford we should not hide our light quite so much under a -bushel as she does. - -They are close to the Copse now, and Mrs. Talford and the Colonel slip -down to the far side with Charles; the right of proprietorship allowing -this, which is courteously yet firmly forbidden to the rest of the -field. - -"Gentlemen," says the Master, "for your own sport I wish the whole of -the left side and bottom of the covert kept free. It's a clear start -either way, therefore I must beg you not to get for'ard. Give the fox a -chance, and then, so long as you don't ride over the hounds, go as you -like." - -Someone suggests that the Colonel and his wife have gone down to the -bottom, whereupon Sir John shuts him up by saying: "That, sir, is only -another reason why nobody else should go. When we draw your coverts we -will allow you to go where you like, and keep the rest out of your way." - -As the individual happens to be a gentleman who has only that season -come down to Bullshire, and has not subscribed as yet to the hounds, -the remark causes a general titter, and the man wishes he had not -spoken. - -His discomfiture is, however, of short duration, for at this instant the -hounds find, and from the chorus and way they rattle him up and down the -covert it is clear that they are not far behind their fox. Two rings -round the Wood and he finds it too hot to hold him, so away he goes -across the slope in full view of the whole field. - -"Hold hard one moment, gentlemen," shouts the Master, as Tom, horn in -hand, tops the wood fence, and claps the hounds on to the line. - -"Now"--and a hundred or more horses are rattling down the hill towards -the fence at the bottom. - -Some visibly diminish their pace as they near the obstacle, and some -make a determined point to the gate in the corner, which a friendly -yeoman is holding open. But there is little time to notice all this, for -the pace is a cracker, and the scent is breast-high. Two or three loose -horses are careering about the next field, and two or three dismounted -riders are running after them. - -"Catch hold, sir," says young Simms, as he stops one of the horses and -delivers him up to his owner; "catch hold--I can't stop;" and he is over -the next bank and ditch before the spilt one has recovered the effects -of his acrobatic performance. - -Such a jam at the double post and rails! There are but three or four -negotiable places, and everybody is racing for them madly. The Parson -and the Doctor fly them together, and so shake themselves clear of the -ruck, while a hard-riding Meltonian carries away a heap of them. - -But where is Mrs. Talford? - -There she is on the left, close to the hounds, yet well wide of them, -slipping along with an easy grace, looking as if she was merely -cantering, Queen Bee taking everything before her, and making as little -of the fences as if they were the lowest of hurdles. How the deuce did -she get there? everybody who has time to notice her wonders. But no one -ever knows how she does get anywhere. No matter what sort of a start she -gets, unless hopelessly thrown out Mrs. Talford before long is certain -to be found sailing along in close proximity to the hounds. - -Presently they come to a check in the road, but it is only for a minute, -for Beadsman hits off the line on the far side, over the wall, and -across the fallows. Some of the road-riders come up at this moment, and -stare blankly at the wall. One, a stranger, seeing a lady, and not -knowing who she is, vainly endeavours to open the gate (a low one), -which is locked, and thereby prevents anybody else getting over. - -"Thank you, sir; I think I can manage it," is all Mrs. Talford says in -her quiet way, and in another minute the would-be "pew-opener" is -greeted with a sight of Queen Bee's hind feet, and the lady has resumed -her former place with the hounds. - -"Well done, Mrs. Colonel!" says old Tom (he always calls her Mrs. -Colonel). "We shall show them the road again to-day. It's the old line, -straight for Marston. Hold up," to his horse, who dropped his hind legs -in a ditch. "Yonder he goes," as he catches sight of the fox making the -best of his way up the rising ground in the distance; and, contrary to -his usual custom, he catches hold of the hounds and lifts them for -nearly half a mile, thereby cutting off a big slice. - -"Oh Tom, you shouldn't have done that," says Mrs. Talford, as soon as -they have settled on to the line again. "They were hunting beautifully." - -"Don't mean anyone to get in front of the Queen, Mrs. Colonel, this -time," is all he vouchsafes as they gallop down a lane, thereby saving -their horses, and nicking in again at the corner. A holloa from the -right, close in front of the hounds, shows the rest of the field that -the end is approaching, and the Melton detachment are riding their -hardest to catch the Bullshire lady; but the only men who have as yet -succeeded are Mr. Halston, the Master, and old Simms. - -"It's over the brook, for a hundred, sir," shouts Tom, and he is right. -With a splash that sends the water sparkling high in the air, the whole -pack dash in, and are away on the other side racing in view. - -"Surely she's not going to ride at that," men say to each other as Mrs. -Talford catches her mare by the head. - -But she is; and, with Sir John on the one side and the Parson on the -other, she skims over like a bird. Old Tom's horse is done, and refuses, -but being crammed at it again just gets over with a scramble. The rest -ride at it in a body, some in, some over; some think better of it and -turn back; but before any but the leading quartet are well over, Sir -John's "who-whoop" rings out clear and loud, and tells them that they -have again been beaten by "only a woman." - - - - -THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND DOES NOT RIDE. - - -If anyone could be found rash enough to hint to Mrs. Polson that in the -hunting-field she was, to say the least of it, rather a bore than -otherwise, the look of undisguised astonishment with which that -individual's remarks would be met, ought, if he had any right feeling, -to convince him that he was wrong; and that, if there was a woman in -this world who was a useful addition to the Hunt, and who, wherever and -whenever she thought proper to grace the scene, was always rapturously -welcomed, that woman was Mrs. Polson, wife of Joseph Polson, Esq., -M.P., better known as The Right Hon. J.P. - -Although as yet no one has dared to breathe a word to the lady herself, -there are men, and a large number to boot, who, among themselves, vote -her a nuisance; in fact they have been known to say that she is "One of -the most infernal nuisances out. Always in the way. Never happy unless -she is talking horse and hound, and for ever trying to catch some -unfortunate novice 'just to give her a lead here, or to open a gate -there;' while to answer her questions a man needs to be a walking -glossary." - -I am afraid there is a deal of truth in what these unappreciative men -say, for Mrs. Polson before she was married had never got farther in the -equestrian art than an occasional ride on a shaggy pony when staying -with her aunt in Devonshire, or the _haute école_ as practised up and -down the King's Road at so much per hour when staying with her uncle at -Brighton. - -It was at the latter place that she met good-natured easy-going Joseph -Polson; and when her father, who was rector of a small parish in Dorset, -heard that his Letty had said "Yes" to a rich man, there were great -rejoicings at the parsonage, for she was one of seven, and the living -being by no means a large one, Mr. Becket found some difficulty in -making both ends meet. - -However, no sooner had she married Polson and settled down in Bullshire -as the Member's wife, than she must needs become a hunting-woman, and, -as a hunting-woman and the Member's wife, give herself airs. Perhaps -among her acquaintances there is no one that she hates with such a -cordial hatred as poor unoffending Mrs. Talford, for although when she -meets her the greeting (on her side at all events) is most effusive, -still, deep down in her memory, rankles a speech that she once overheard -Mrs. Talford make to her husband. She had come up rather late, just as -the hounds were moving off, and the Colonel and his wife, ignorant of -her proximity, were discussing her powers of riding. - -"My dear," said the Colonel, "I have not seen Mrs. Polson. Have you?" - -"No," replied Mrs. Talford; "I don't suppose she is coming; it's rather -a stiff country to-day;" and then, laughing, "how glad young Mr. Bevan -will be. He said that she tacked herself on to him at Deanfield the -other day, and after she had bored his life out for more than an hour, -and made him open at least twenty gates, she asked him to come over some -day and look at her hunters. It's a pity somebody can't tell her that -men hate being bothered in the hunting-field." - -Mrs. Polson's sudden appearance stopped further conversation on the -subject. But from her over-affectionate manner ever since, Mrs. Talford -knows perfectly well that the unlucky speech went farther than it was -intended. - -"Good morning, Tom. Got the dog-pack out to-day, I see, looking none the -worse for Saturday," says Mrs. Polson as she rides up, followed by a -groom bearing at his back a large sandwich-case, and at his saddle-bow a -holster-flask filled with sherry and water (for the Member's wife does -not see the fun of hunting without her luncheon). - -"Get away, good dog, get away; 'war hoss,'" to Bellman, who leaves the -main body of the pack in order to make a closer inspection of Mrs. P. or -the sandwich-case. - -"Mornin', mum," replies old Tom, doffing his cap; and then to avoid -further conversation he calls away Bellman and trots off to a distant -point, bringing the hounds back at a walk to allow time for her to -"collar someone else," as he puts it. - -While he is away on his little tour we may just glance at the external -appearance of the Member's wife. Certainly she is not a good riding -figure, being of the order "dumpy," and her seat in the saddle reminds -one strongly of a plum-pudding on a dish. Her habit is a close copy of -Mrs. Talford's, with the exception that it is much exaggerated. In the -front of the collar, which is turned over, is displayed an elaborate -necktie, with a fox's head painted on crystal as a pin, two heads of the -same pattern serving as studs for her wristbands. She also affects the -hunt-button, plain brass, with "B.H." in a monogram: and a hat-guard -made of a small gold chain, secured to a most curly-brimmed hat by a -fox's tooth, completes the dress; while the hunting-crop she carries in -her fat little pudgy hand is more fitted for a First Whip than a lady, -being, both heavy and cumbersome. - -Tom evidently knows her pretty well, for before he returns from his -self-imposed trot to his original place, Mrs. Polson has "collared -someone else," and is making herself agreeable (or trying to) to two -strangers who are staying with the Master for a week, and whom she has -met at dinner at Lappington. A small group standing a little way off, -after bowing, smile among themselves and pity the innocent strangers -who, as young Bevan says, are "being let in for a day in waiting." "It's -a shame of Lappington not to have put them on their guard," he -continues; "I shall tell him so." - -"She landed you once, Bevan, did not she?" asks another, laughing. - -"Yes, but never again," is the reply. "Five-and-twenty gates to open, a -treatise on scent, the pedigree of every hound in the pack, and some -weak sherry-and-water, hardly compensate one for missing one of the best -things of the season. By gad, we never saw hounds from the time they -found till they killed, and yet to hear the woman talk, you would fancy -she was in the first flight all the way. Look out, she is bearing down -on us;" and the little group disperse, each one seemingly having caught -sight of a man in the distance that he "must speak to for a moment." - -Time's up now, and they move off to the big wood, Mrs. P. closely -attended by the two strangers, to whom she has promised to show the -country. They feel obliged, or rather under an obligation to her, and do -not like to leave her side, though both think they would rather see the -country for themselves without a cicerone. It is her day all over, for -it is even betting they do not get out of the wood; and even if they do, -what so convenient as a false turn down a ride that leads to nowhere? By -the time they get outside hounds will be well away, and the only chance -of catching them will be through that line of gates that Mrs. Polson -knows so well. - -As they come up to the wood the trio find their progress barred by a low -rail, over which Tom has popped, followed by a good many of the field. -The two strangers naturally suppose that so great a sportswoman as Mrs. -Polson will make nothing of a small obstacle like the one before them, -so one politely gives her a lead over, turning round on the other side -to say: "It's rather a boggy place on the left, but if you jump well to -the right you will find it quite firm," while the other holds back till -the lady has successfully negotiated the fence. - -They are a little surprised when she says, in the blandest possible -tones: "I hope you will not think me a bore, but there is nothing I -dislike so much as jumping in cold blood. It only takes it out of one's -horse for nothing. If you would not mind taking that rail down--it drops -off easily--I should be so much obliged." - -This necessitates someone dismounting, and the man who gave the lead -over has to get off and stand in a pool of muddy water, which he feels -oozing through his boots, while he struggles manfully with the offending -rail. At last his efforts are successful. Mrs. Poison gallops -triumphantly through, splashing him all over as she passes. - -"Oh, I am so sorry," she exclaims, when she sees what she has done. "It -is my naughty horse; he can't bear to be kept waiting." - -The splashed one is too polite to say much, but that does not prevent -him from "thinking a lot;" and as he wipes the mud from his face he -registers a vow to give my lady the slip on the first possible -opportunity. This comes shortly, for a few minutes later there is an -unmistakable find, and the hounds are seen tearing through the underwood -to the right. - -"This way--this way," pants Mrs. Polson, making the best of her road for -a gate in an exactly opposite direction; "they are sure to turn to the -left, and we shall be all right." - -A view holloa on the right, followed by Tom's horn, decides the -mud-bespattered gentleman, and he turns off, galloping down a ride -which, as far as he can judge, leads to where he hears the hounds. He -arrives just in time to see them top the bank, and when he finds himself -well out of the wood, with some seven or eight men and one lady, who -have got an equally good start, he congratulates himself on having -escaped, and thinks how his friend must be gnashing his teeth. Luck, -however, favours Mrs. Polson, for the hounds swing round to the left, -and she and her attendant squire ride through a hand-gate just as they -go by. "There, I told you we should be all right," she says, highly -gratified with herself, yet the while casting an anxious glance round -the field for a gate which is nowhere visible. - -"For'ard on; he's away over the plough, Tom," shouts Sir John as he -gallops up; and they race him down towards a most uncompromising-looking -stake and bound. Mrs. Talford is first over, and her husband follows -close in her wake. The emancipated sportsman goes next, and barely saves -a fall; then comes a farmer on a stout cob, who goes crash through the -whole fabric, rolling himself far into the next field, while the cob -reposes in the ditch. However he has made a most convenient gap, at -which the Member's wife keeps a score or more impatient people waiting, -while she, holding her steed tight by the head, vainly endeavours to -summon up sufficient courage to ride him over the place. - -"Hang the woman; she's an impostor," mutters Stranger No. 2, now -thoroughly exasperated, as he sees his friend sailing merrily away in -the distance. - -"Oh dear, I am afraid you must think me very tiresome," said Mrs. Polson -to him; "I never knew my horse to refuse before; there must be something -wrong with him. Please don't wait for me;" and, turning to her -sandwich-bearer: "John, follow me down into the lane; I am afraid one of -the horse's shoes are loose." Again, to her squire: "Please go on, I -will catch you up again directly;" and she goes off to the road, where -of course John finds the shoes, as he knew he would, perfectly tight. -"Thank goodness for that," thinks her ex-equerry-in-waiting, making best -haste to get to the hounds again; and as he manages to come up with them -while Tom is making a cast, he tells his host the Master that he owes -him one for not putting him up to Mrs. P. and her riding powers. - -Sir John laughs and says: "All right, old boy, you won't see her again -till we have killed or lost and are going to draw for a fresh one. She -will have finished her lunch by then; but I daresay there will be some -sherry-and-water left for you as a reward." - -Before his marriage the hon. Member for Bullshire was a most punctual -man; but now, somehow, he always turns up late, and is seldom, if ever, -seen at the meet, or till hounds are running, when he will suddenly -appear riding as forward as ever. When asked by his friends the reason -for this strange behaviour, he merely winks and looks over towards where -his estimable spouse may be seen in the far distance pounding along -through the gates, followed by the faithful John with the luncheon. - - - - -THE SCHOOLBOYS. - - -For the last week parents have been receiving letters from young -hopefuls, in which allusions have been made to the absolute necessity of -sending by return of post some more pocket-money wherewith to liquidate -sundry small accounts, and to enable him to give his friends who are -"leaving this half" some presents. - -Most of the documents have wound up with the announcement that there are -only three or four days to the holidays, and with requests that John, or -Thomas, or Sam may be told to get the pony fit for them to ride. In some -instances the father, or, as the "young gentleman" prefers to call him, -"the governor," has been reminded of his promise to buy a new horse; -and as he knows full well that unless he does so the word "peace," so -far as he is concerned, may be scratched out of the dictionary, Jimmy -Holden is called into council and the animal is procured. - -As the down-train runs into Lappington Station, four or five eager faces -may be seen, one over the other, filling up the window of the railway -carriage; and before the train has well stopped four or five equally -eager bodies jump out; and the porters, without waiting for -instructions, immediately proceed to empty the compartment of rugs, -sticks, two-shilling novels, bags, and the numerous other items which -invariably accompany a boy on his return from school. - -"There's the governor, Charlie," says a bright-looking lad to his -schoolfellow, whom he has brought home with him for the first fortnight -of the holidays. - -"How are you, Dick? and how is the pony?" exclaims another, addressing -the neat-looking servant, who is evidently as pleased to see his young -master as that worthy is to have put by his books for a time. - -"No signs of frost; we shall be out to-morrow at The Grange," shouts a -third, as he disappears within the portals of the booking-office. - -The hero of the hour, however, is Harold Lappington, Sir John's youngest -brother, a tall good-looking young fellow, who in the field is known to -combine the fearlessness of youth with the knowledge of old age. He has -come that morning from Eton, where he has been keeping his hand in by -hunting the college beagles. Old Tom and his brother have come to meet -him, and many of the other boys envy him the honour of shaking hands -with so great a man as the Huntsman. - -"By Guy, Mayster Harold, but you are growed, looking well and all," says -Tom; and then, turning to the Master: "Eh, Sir John, ay's gettin' a -rare-topped 'un." - -"By Jove, Tom, there's no need to ask how you are, you're looking as -fit as a fiddle. Is that young gray horse fit for me to ride? The one -you had at the kennels, I mean," ejaculates Harold: and, receiving an -answer in the affirmative, walks off with Sir John to where an -obsequious porter is hoisting his traps into a dog-cart which is -standing outside. - -"Here, John," he says to his brother, as he jumps up, "I'm going to -drive." - -"Not if I know it," replies the Master. "I have not forgotten that last -exploit of yours, when you upset me over a heap of stones." - -But of course the boy has his way, and with a "Good-night, Tom," and a -wave of the hand, they rattle round the corner, shaving the gate-post so -close as to cause the Master to clench his teeth and hold on like grim -death. - -"Well," mutters Tom, when they, are out of sight, "there'll be some -riding to-morrow, I know, and some tumbling too. I 'opes we gets away -quick, for though I loves to see the lads go, they do myther (bother) -me terrible at the first;" and he turns up the road towards the kennels, -exchanging Good-nights and bright hopes for the morrow with the young -occupants of the various traps as they pass him on their way to their -respective homes. - -By ten o'clock the next morning the road to The Grange is lively with -the usual symptoms of a meet. Grooms with led-horses are riding -alongside the tax-cart of the butcher or baker. Men and boys on foot -keep up that peculiar kind of shuffle, half run, half walk, which is -seen nowhere save in the country. The keeper and the poacher jostle one -another and combine to chaff the merry vendor of crockery and hardware -who, perched on the top of his wares and drawn by his trotting "moke," -has chosen the centre of the road, somewhat to the inconvenience of -those in his rear. - -He is well able to hold his own, and gives as much as he gets. Indeed, -in the matter of chaff, it takes the allied forces all their time to -keep on even terms until they overtake the local policeman, when the -channel of wit and repartee is diverted against "poor Robert," who of -course being ignominiously defeated at once, takes refuge under official -dignity, and thinks of the time when his turn will come. - -The keepers have held aloof from the latter entertainment, for it would -not be right to make a butt of the Law, they think; and so, joining him, -all proceed towards The Grange as merry as crickets. Presently there is -a shout from behind, and turning round they see old Tom and the pack, -with many a bit of pink in his wake, and, what is more (in their own -eyes, at all events), many an emancipated schoolboy. - -"Lend us one of them dorgs to run under my carriage," says the itinerant -hardware merchant as they pass him. - -Tom rather winces at the word "dorgs" being applied to his darlings, and -is preparing a stinging rejoinder; but before it is ready, Eton, -Harrow, Rugby, and Winchester have (verbally) fallen on the rash jester -and silenced him completely. - -However, he manages to make his way to The Grange, and while there -disposes of some of his crockery, and drinks Tom's health in some of Mr. -Boulter's beer, calling him, by-the-way, "Lord Topboots." - -Such greetings and chaff, too, among lads! Criticisms of their -respective animals, mutual challenges, and hurried arrangements for all -sorts of sport. The Secretary is not forgotten either, and various -inquiries are made concerning "his last speech and what time he came -home." At last the Master and his brother Harold drive up, and in a few -moments are mounted and ready. One glass of sherry "Just to keep the -Secretary in tune," as Harold says, and Tom, getting a nod, trots off to -the wood about half a mile away. - -"Charles," says he to the First Whip, "you get down to corner, and if so -be as t' fox breaks, dunna holloa; just crack yer whip when ay's well -away. Maybe then I shall have a chance of getting hounds on to the -line." - -On the road to the wood there are two small fences, and though the gates -are open wide, with the exception of Harold Lappington, every boy has -his pony over, into, or through them. A fall or two brings down a -torrent of jeers on the unfortunates, and one youngster in particular, -who goes careering round the field, half on, half off his animal, is -most productive of sport. - -"Stick to him, Johnny," shout some; "he's off; no he isn't; well saved," -as, more by good luck than good management, he regains his seat, and -comes back looking rather crestfallen. Some of the farmers think for a -moment of their fences and what a lot of "making up" there will be on -the morrow; but the joyous faces and boisterous spirits of the -schoolboys are infectious, and they feel with old Simms, who said, when -last year they broke three of his gates down and let his sheep out all -over the country: "We were all boys once, and not a bit better. Bless -'em, they don't mean any harm, and I love 'em." - -The first draw is a blank, much to the disappointment of all, Boulter in -particular, for he catches it most unmercifully from all his young -friends. - -A move is then made for a piece of rough stuff called Shepherd's Gorse. -Sir John has a difficult task to keep his field in order here, for it is -a crooked in-and-out-shaped place, and the ponies will creep forward -into forbidden corners. As fast as he orders one back he finds another -expectant and overanxious youth somewhere else. - -However, they are not kept long in suspense, for a quick find is -followed by a ringing "Gone away," and his field gallop round to find -Tom and the pack sailing along merrily, he having slipped off with the -hounds well on to the line before he vouchsafed to proclaim his -departure. - -Hard work it is to catch them, for they are racing with a scent -breast-high, but the schoolboys sit down and send their ponies along -with a will, thinking no more of the big bank and ditch that confront -them than they would if it was only a broken sheep-hurdle. Harold -Lappington is first down to it, and his young gray pecks badly on the -far side, for the animal is a bit fresh and over-jumps himself. Harold's -fine seat, however, saves him from a fall, and turning round to where he -sees young Charlie Whistler riding his pony, scarce thirteen hands three -inches in height, at the biggest place he can find, he shouts: "Steady, -Charlie; it's too big for you; take it in two, on and off." - -"Go on," replies the monkey, "I'm all----" he would have said "right," -but as he was turning head over heels like a rabbit before he could -finish his sentence, he found further conversation somewhat difficult. -Next in order came two hard-riding members with Sir John and Mrs. -Talford, and then a whole crowd of horses and ponies, a good many of -which plumbed the depths of the ditch on the landing-side. It is -wonderful what a good pony will do with a resolute youngster on his -back. Where it can't jump it will creep or climb, and generally manages -to pull through somehow or other; but this particular fence is a rasper -to commence with, and in most cases the cause of grief is -over-excitement. - -"You're a nice sort of fellow, Tom, slipping off like that," says -Harold, as he comes up with the old Huntsman, who is gnashing his teeth -because they've checked, and "Them blessed lads will be all among t' -hounds again." - -"What did you do it for?" he continues. - -"Ah Mayster Harold; must get a start, or we should never get through all -them ponies," replies Tom. "Here they come, by gad. That's it, praise -the Lord," as the hounds hit it off just as the rest arrive. - -"For'ard on," yell the lads, as pleased as Punch to have caught the -hounds again. - -"Harold, it's my idea the fox will make over the Swill," says Sir John -to his brother, as they gallop along the grass. "There are two or three -deuced stiff ploughs before we get there, and as you can't jump it we -had better take the road and round by the bridge." - -"Not I; I'm going with the hounds," replies Harold. "If they go over I -can but go in and out." - -"Don't you be a fool," retorts the Master. "By Jove, I'm right! it is -for the Swill," as the hounds swung to the left towards the line of -pollards that denote the course of that "meandering streamlet." - -"Hold hard, young gentlemen, hold hard," roars Tom, as they hang for a -moment on the plough, and five or six reeking ponies get unpleasantly -near his darlings. "You canna jump Swill; you must go round by t' -bridge." - -But they pay no heed to either him or paternal warning, and pound away -over the plough towards the willows. - -"Here, I'm dashed if some on 'em won't get drownded, for they'll have -it, as sure as my name's Wilding," he continues. - -The two Simms and a few adventurous spirits follow in the wake of the -lads, while the rest of the field follow the Master to the bridge. As -the hounds plunge in Tom gallops off for the same goal, saying: "This -way, young gents, this way." He might as well have spared his breath, -for Eton is not going to be beaten by Harrow, nor Winchester by Rugby, -nor Clifton by any of them, and the rivals feel the honour of their -schools to be at stake. Harold again heads the charge, and the young 'un -makes a gallant effort, just getting his fore-legs on the opposite bank. -Quick as thought the boy is over his head on _terra firma_, while the -gray falls back into the brook. "Bravo," shout the rest of the field, -"bravo!" and, as his horse scrambles out, Harold's heart swells with -pride, and he says to his brother: "The dear old school bested them -all." - -Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, and Clifton, all go at it in a lump, and all -four are splashing about together, when little Phillips, a lad of -twelve, who has just completed his first half, at Marlborough, comes -down, and handling his rat of a pony down the bank, the pair swim -across, and out the other side they scramble, the urchin shouting at the -top of his voice: "Hooray, Eton first, Marlborough second." - -All, happily, manage, contrary to Tom's expectations, to escape being -"drownded;" and, wet as they are, ride harder than ever to make up their -"leeway." - -About a mile farther on the fox is viewed heading straight for Braby -Main Earths, where he goes to ground with the pack close at his brush. -Then paternal authority asserts itself, and the dripping schoolboys are -promptly ordered home. They plead hard to stay, but paterfamilias is -firm, and the lads turn to go with a last wistful look at Tom and the -hounds. - -It is late in the afternoon, and they have had a right down good -gallop, thinks Sir John; so turning to the field he says: "Gentlemen, I -shall send the hounds home. We will call this the schoolboys' day, and I -am sure after the way they have ridden it would be a shame to go on -without them." - - - - -THE BOASTER. - - -If one could only believe one quarter of the strange adventures, -hairbreadth escapes, and marvellous performances in the field of which -Mr. Story says he has been the hero, one might well set him down as a -wonderful Nimrod. But, unfortunately, veracity does not form part of his -character. He is good-natured, generous, hospitable, and amusing, yet -one of the most confirmed liars in the country. - -Not that he is what is known as a harmful liar, for he would as soon -think of telling an anecdote reflecting on the character of any of his -friends or acquaintances as he would of picking their pockets. No, his -embroidery is strictly personal. It appertains solely to what he has -done or can do, and such a habit has this become with him that he firmly -believes every word he says, and will pledge his honour that such and -such a thing happened, that he did this or that, the while relating some -performance that effectually puts that prince of fibbers Baron -Munchausen in the background. - -Nothing seems to cure him. Over and over again has he been caught out by -a sceptical audience, who have then and there endeavoured to put him to -the blush, but it has been of no avail, for two minutes afterwards he -will be romancing away as gaily as ever on some fresh subject. Men have -got tired of trying to break him of it, and now only sit and laugh, -acknowledging that "Old Story is devilish good fun though he is such a -thundering liar." - -Of course in the hunting-field he is the veriest impostor that ever got -on a horse, never, if he can possibly help it, leaving the glorious -safety of the hard highway. Yet the description of the run as told by -him in the evening fairly takes your breath away, and, supposing you to -be a stranger, makes you feel that you have come into a country the like -of which you have never seen. - -Sheep-hurdles are (according to Mr. Story) five-barred gates, the -smallest ditch a veritable river; and as he turns to some one or the -other guest at his table and says: "Did you notice that horse I was -riding to-day? Deuced clever animal, I can tell you. Jumped a double -post and rails with about twelve foot of water on the far side, and made -nothing of them, 'pon my honour!" you wonder whether there are many -fences of the same species to be encountered, or many horses with the -same supreme contempt for them to be picked up in Bullshire. - -Once in his life he did jump a brook, and it is even betting that before -you have been long in his presence he will tell you all about it, -though his version of the occurrence differs slightly from that of those -who saw it. - -They had been having a very slow hunting-run on a cold scent, barely out -of a trot most of the time, the hounds picking it out inch by inch, and -at last they came to a dead lock in a field, round two-thirds of which -ran the Marston brook. Mr. Story, who had been as usual very prominent -in the centre of the road, which ran conveniently adjacent, thought he -might as well turn into the field through the gate, which he did. - -Unfortunately for him there was a bull in the corner, which neither he -nor anyone else had noticed, and just as the gate swung to and latched -again, the hounds hit off the line and went over the brook. At the same -moment the bull, having lashed himself into a rage, and maddened by the -cry of the hounds, singled out Story's red coat and charged down on him. -This startled his gallant steed. Away he went, followed by the bull, -and, to everyone's intense astonishment and amusement, Story was seen on -his horse's neck well over the water. - -He himself will tell you that he cut the whole field down--"Pounded -them, sir, on my honour, at the brook;" but the real facts of the case -are those I have just narrated. - -Most particular is Mr. Story as to his external appearance, and the bows -of his well-fitting leathers are tied with a mathematical accuracy -attainable only by long and patient manipulation, aided by the use of -various scientific instruments, such as pincers and button-hooks, of -which he keeps a large assortment. His necktie is the envy of half the -men in the field, while the peculiar shade of his tops has caused more -envy, hatred, and malice among the valets than one would have believed -possible. - -It is very fine to hear the contemptuous tone he assumes when dilating -on the performances of those sportsmen who come under the head of the -"galloping-and-jumping division." "Look at them," he will say. "I ask -you, what do they know about hunting? They've only one idea--jump, jump, -jump, all day. Now no one is fonder of a quick thing than I am, but you -never see me galloping about, jumping over everything I can find" (the -only true thing in his speech), "and yet when it comes to riding, I -flatter myself I can give them a stone and a beating. Valpy! Faugh, a -rough-rider, sir, a rough-rider. Nowhere in a run. Have beaten him over -and over again, 'pon my honour. You remember that forty minutes we had," -etc. etc.; and then follows a glowing description of some imaginary run -over the stiffest part of the country, where Story had the hounds all to -himself after the first ten minutes, and never saw a soul again till -they had broken up their fox. - -If he happens to be at his own house he will take you off to his den, -and, by way of corroborating the tale, will point out the brush of the -identical fox hanging over the mantelpiece, and handling it carefully, -will say: "Ah, there is some satisfaction in having a brush that one -gets all by one's self." - -(Quite so, Mr. Story; but what was that small piece of gold for, that -found its way out of your pocket into that of Charles the First Whip?) - -Quite a museum of sport is Story's den, or "sanctum," as he calls it. -Round the walls are hung innumerable sporting pictures, foxs' brushes -and masks, all mounted, and bearing the date, length of run, find, and -kill, emblazoned in gold letters underneath. On the left-hand side of -the fireplace is a gun-cupboard, well stocked with breechloaders and -rifles; for Story has some wonderful adventures in the Rocky Mountains -to relate. Opposite, on the other side, is a stick-rack, crowded with -crops, cutting-whips, ash-plants, spurs of all sizes, and hunting-caps; -while underneath are arranged a pile of white band-boxes, each -containing a shining Lincoln and Bennett. Between the windows are a row -of hat-pegs, four in number, and on every peg hangs a hat reduced to the -state of flatness said to be peculiar to pancakes. - -Naturally one is struck with so novel an arrangement in dilapidated -head-gear, and in a weak moment, perhaps, one asks "What on earth those -old hats are for? Are they used in the summer to keep the birds from the -peas, or what?" - -"Peas, my dear fellow; no, by gad," will be the ready reply. "They are -the hats I have come to grief in. I keep them for old lang syne. In that -one on the right I rode the famous Willowfield run. Fourteen falls, and -finished up in the Swill. On my honour, I thought I never should have -got out. Horse got on the top of me, and I was under water for a -minute;" and then, taking down the other three in succession, Story will -relate the romance attached to each. - -Ill-natured slander says that their present shape is attributable to -having been violently sat upon in the garden after two days' rain, and -the authority of a discharged valet, who remonstrated on this wholesale -destruction of his perquisites, is given. But then there is nothing that -ill-natured slander will not say. - -One good point about the Boaster is that he is a most stanch preserver -of foxes, and although his property is not a large one, Lappington is -always perfectly certain of finding in his coverts. It is a great-day -for him when the hounds meet in the village. No general commanding a -division feels half such a great man as Mr. Story, who, having -confidentially informed Sir John that there are no less than five foxes -in the wood, takes charge of Tom and the pack and leads them on to -victory. - -Should they not find immediately, the various stages of anxiety depicted -on his face are intensely amusing, and the triumphant "I-told-you-so" -expression he assumes when at last the swelling chorus proclaims the -varmint at home, is well worth coming any distance to see. - -No sooner are they well away than the highroad claims him for its own, -and, followed by a small detachment, Story's figure is seen vanishing -through the toll-gate, making for some distant point which he seems to -know by intuition the fox is bound for. His knowledge of the country and -the lanes thereof is wonderful, and having, by slipping down a byway, -shaken off his retinue, he arrives on the high ground just as the fox -crosses the bottom and crawls into Watson's osiers. - -The hounds are not yet in sight though he can hear them in the distance, -so he has time to let himself into the field through the gate, and -inspect the low wattle fence at the far end, over which he knows the -line will be. Finding it is very plain sailing, and that there is a most -convenient gap again into the lane which leads direct to the osiers, he -gets behind a haystack, and waits the arrival of Tom and the pack. Most -men would holloa the fox, but Story knows a trick worth two of that. He -has a reputation to keep up, and a history to tell of "those big rails -by Brown's farm," and "that double after we came out of the -water-meadows," which would hardly sound so well if he was known to have -arrived at his present position in front of the hounds. - -Presently the hounds come up, and he notes with glee that there are but -four or five anywhere near them. As they top the wattle he dashes round -the haystack as if he had ridden all the way wide on their left, and -flying the fence is in the same field with them--alone. - -"Dang 'im, how did ay get theer? Ay never rode along wi' us, I know," -mutters Tom to himself; but the pace is too hot to think about it at the -moment. - -"Capital run, Tom," shouts Story, as they gallop down the field -together; "but, my eye, what a stiff bit we have had! Those rails of -Brown's were a stopper. You should have had them where I did, on the -left." (Tom had been deuced nearly down there, a circumstance Story had -noticed from the road.) "He'll be in the osiers; I'll get on and view -him out the far side;" and away goes our friend through the gap and down -the lane. - -"Now, I should just like to know wheer in the name of fortun' ay's coom -from. There's some hanky-panky, I knows. Did you see Mayster Story, -Charles?" says Tom, as they check, to the First Whip, who has just -arrived, his coat showing pretty evident signs of where he had been. - -"Saw him going down the road when we found; but Craftsman has it," -replies Charles, and "For'ard on" is again the order. - -Into the osiers they crash, and a "Tally-ho!" from Story on the far side -shows them to be close behind their fox. "For'ard, for'ard, for'ard -away," screams Tom, blowing the hounds out of the covert; and in the -second field it is all up, and Tom is off his horse in the middle of the -pack, with Story and five others only there to see. As the remainder of -the field gallop up by twos and threes our friend takes his watch out, -and, addressing the Master, says: "Best thing I've seen for many a -day--fifty-three minutes with hardly a check. 'Pon my honour, it's -marvellous that so few of us came to grief. Awful stiff country. Give -you my word, I thought I should break my neck every fence." - -"Could not afford to lose such a sportsman as you, Story," replies Sir -John, laughing and turning to Tom. "Here, give Mr. Story the brush; it's -worthy of a place in his den." - -"Right, sir," says Tom; but he winks at Charles and whispers: "There'll -be a fine tale over this one, I'll lay." - -Story is dining out that night, so he does not accompany them to find -their second fox, but by the time the ladies have come into the -drawing-room and the chairs are drawn round the fire, the fifty-three -minutes have grown to an hour and twenty minutes, and the deeds of -daring performed by himself have increased in proportion. As he drives -home he turns it over in his own mind whether another hat and peg shall -not be added to the relics between the window, with the glorious history -of "the crumpler over Brown's rails" attached thereto. But he eventually -decides, as so many of the field saw him at the finish with his -headpiece in its normal condition, that perhaps on the whole it would be -better not. - -This, however, does not prevent him from entering a full and true (?) -account of the run to Watson's osiers in his hunting-diary, and -executing a small yet carefully-drawn map of the country, with crosses -marked thereon denoting the locality of some of the terrific obstacles -he encountered--and negotiated in safety. - -Should the conversation turn on hunting (which it is pretty certain to -do) while smoking the post-prandial cigar in Story's sanctum, he will -read a few extracts from this diary, which the assembled guests may -believe or not--as they like. - - - - -HODGE. - - -"Which is the way to Langley, my good man?" asks Mr. Tyrol of a -countryman he overtakes on his way to the meet. Mr. Tyrol, who is a -stranger to the Bullshire, and has come down just to look at the country -and see what it is like with a view to future operations, as yet does -not know his way about, so is glad of any information he can obtain as -to the most direct route. - -"Yew mun tak furst turnin to right till yer com' to smithy, then keep -straight on past Jack Spender's down t' green lane, but mind yer dunna -mistake t' road past ould Betty Wilson's cottage, and then you're sure -to be right," replies the man, with a glance at his interlocutor. - -"Thanks," says Mr. Tyrol, not much the wiser. "Let me see. I've got to -go down to the green lane, and then past Mrs. Wilson's cottage; but how -am I to know which is the right cottage--and how far it is?" - -"Oh, any chap 'ull tell yer ould Betty's place; it's better nor six mile -if yer go one way and under four if yer tak t' other." - -"And which is the short way?" is Mr. T.'s next question. - -"Well," replies his director, "yew mun go as I've tould yer, till yer -come t' lane, then turn into field past the works. Yer know the works -maybe?" and on Mr. Tyrol confessing his ignorance, after a pause: "Ah, -that maks a 'nation difference, doan't it?" - -The fact is not for a moment to be disputed, and Mr. Tyrol is in -despair, when suddenly a bright idea strikes Hodge, and he looks up, -saying: "Perhaps you're a-going fox-'unting?" - -As it is not customary for people to ride about in pink, save in civic -processions, unless they are "on sport intent," it becomes hardly -necessary to answer, and Mr. T. wonders what Hodge could possibly have -thought he was going to do. - -"If so be," however, continues the pedestrian, "I'm a-going t' meet -mysen, and I can show yer t' road. Can that 'oss jump? Acos we've got to -go through Farmer Danby's meaders, and 'e most allus locks his gates." - -Notwithstanding the chance of a locked gate and a nasty fence in cold -blood, Mr. Tyrol thinks it an opportunity not to be lost, and gladly -avails himself of the proffered guidance, while Hodge sees a prospective -shilling in the horizon, which, with great accuracy, he divides as he -tramps along into "three pots o' four." - -"And what sort of a country is Langley?" asks the directee of his guide -and director, after about a quarter of a mile passed in silence. - -"Foine country for turnips," is the reply. "I mind when Mr. Arles--you -knows him I'll be bound? Not know Mr. Arles! Why I thought everyone -know'd him, he's the biggest man about these parts; he was the Dook's -agent. Well, I mind when he got better nor----" - -Here Mr. Tyrol thinks it advisable to check the flow of Hodge's -conversation, as he sees plainly that unless he does so he will be in -for an agricultural dissertation on the producing power per acre of Mr. -Arles' land, so he cuts him short with "I don't mean that; I mean what -sort of a country is it to ride over? Stiff big fences, or what?" - -"Some big, some littel; but there's allus a road as you can git along if -so be as you don't care about leping; and there's any amount o' -foxes--swarms on 'em. Why, it was only last week as ould Jim tould me as -Bill Upton 'ad tould him as he see'd two when he wor working in Squire -Beale's plantation. But there's Langley, sir. Thank ye kindly." And -Hodge, the richer by a shilling, stops at the wayside public-house to -drink the stranger's health. - -Happy in having arrived at his destination, and much instructed and -amused by what he had heard, Mr. Tyrol rides on to where old Tom and the -hounds are visible, and is soon lost to sight in the crowd of horses and -men at the meet. By the time he has done contemplating the hounds, Hodge -has finished his libation, and, in company with a "mate," comes on the -scene of action. - -"Mornin', mayster," says he to old Tom; "whear be you a-going furst?" -and on hearing that Collingly Wood will be the first draw, he turns to -his companion and says: "By Guy, mate, we mun look slippy or we shanna -be there in time." - -It is not every day in the week that these "horny-handed sons of toil" -get an outing, and they do not mean to lose their chance of seeing the -fun if they can help it. So away they go, followed by three or four -boys, towards the big wood seen in the distance. They have not gone far -before they discover that they have followers, and knowing well that -with these in their wake it will be impossible to secrete themselves in -an advantageous position, they turn round and deliver a few home-truths, -which, though not particularly elegant, answer the purpose, and have the -desired effect of getting rid of the boys. This done, they continue -their route till they arrive at the hunting-gate leading into the -covert. - -"Now I wonder which end t' ould mon will begin at?" asks the elder of -his companion. - -"I dunna knoa," replies Number Two, putting his finger into his mouth -and holding it up; "but from the way o' the wind I should say as 'e'll -start down here; bound to go up-wind." - -No fool in matters of sport is Hodge, and, chawbacon as you may call -him, you would find it hard to puzzle him on the subject of the "run of -a fox," always provided he understood your questions. Old Tom knows his -value well, and over and over again have things been put straight by -the far-seeing blue eye; and "'E's gone yonder by th' ould barn," or -"I'v seed 'im cross o'er bottom," has enabled the Huntsman to hit off -the line without wasting the precious moments in a long and speculative -cast. - -The two "mates" have barely ensconced themselves comfortably on the top -of a stack of "cordwood," from whence they can command more than half -the wood, when the pack arrive, and the horsemen, as they file through -the gateway, are subjected to a running fire of criticism. Woe betide -the man whose animal obstinately refuses some small fence within sight -of Hodge and Co. Although the rider will not hear the speech, the loud -laugh from one or the other tells him plainly enough that he is the -cause of their merriment, and he wishes himself--or them--farther away. -As soon as the hounds are thrown in the occupants of the cordwood stack -become excited, and the younger of them, our friend of the road, -suggests an adjournment to a tree where he thinks a better view can be -obtained. - -"Stop where yer be, Jim," says the elder; "yer canna do better, and if -yer gets messing about now you'll only have t' Master and old Tom atop -o' yer back." So Jim is persuaded, and remains quiet. Presently a yellow -body is seen stealing through the underwood, and the chorus of music -shows that the hounds are aware of Mr. Reynard's presence. - -"There 'e goes," whispers Jim, "and here they come. By Guy, the're -away," as the hounds dash through the covert, and a loud "Tally-ho" is -heard on the other side. To slip down is the work of an instant, and -both Jim and his companion are making the best of their way to the -corner where the fox has broken. Here they find a regular crush; the -hunting-gate is locked or jammed, and no one can get out. Threading -their way through the horses, however, with the help of a good heave, a -strong heave, and a heave both together, the pair manage to have the -gate off its hinges, and the impatient field rush through, nearly -overturning Jim in their mad career. - -"Oh, go on, go on," says that worthy, as he jumps out of the way; "some -on yer won't go much farther than the first fence at that pace." - -And he is right. - -There are two or three loose horses running about, one of which he -manages to catch and restore to the owner, receiving in return a small -acknowledgment, which--having submitted to the universal test, his -teeth--he slips into the pocket of his brown corduroys. - -The next field is a stiffish plough, and by the time he is halfway -across Hodge is done, and he finds his heavy boots none the lighter for -three or four inches of wet clay adhering to the soles. However, the -sight of a friendly hayrick in the distance consoles him, and to his -great delight he sees a ladder is reared against it and a man at work -cutting out some trusses. - -"Can yer see ought on 'em, ould man?" he pants, as he reaches the foot -of the ladder, and the "ould man" from his coign of vantage, shouts -back: "Nip up, lad, nip up, the're a-going like billy o'." Jim is -quickly alongside, his face beaming with excitement as he sees the whole -panorama of the chase stretched out before him. As he watches, he -notices his friend of the morning--Mr. Tyrol--and points him out to the -man on the rick. Luck favouring the spectators, the hounds suddenly -swing sharp round and cross close beneath and within hearing. There is a -nasty fence over which the line lies, and a goodish few turn away for -the gate, but Mr. Tyrol heads straight for it with the rest of the -hard-riders. - -"Well done, sir; well done!" roars Hodge from the rick, and Mr. T., -recognising him, gives him a nod as he rides at the fence. His horse, -however, jumps short, and the result is a rattling fall. - -"Laws, that's a buster," says Jim; "I mun go and help him, he gied me a -bob;" showing by his words the triumph of filthy lucre over Christian -charity. Not that he would not have been just as ready to pick up anyone -without the shilling, but the gift had made a profound impression, and -the thought that was uppermost found vent in words. - -By the time he reaches the spot Mr. Tyrol has picked himself up, and, -catching his horse, is away; and Hodge returns to the rick to see the -last he can of the receding chase. - -As he trudges homewards he hears various accounts of how "the hounds are -been by," etc., and lighting his pipe he makes his way towards his own -particular inn where he usually takes his glass. - -He is going along leisurely over the fields when he hears a loud voice -behind him, and turning round, finds himself face to face with two men -on horseback, one of whom is ordering him to "Open that gate there, do -you hear?" Hodge knows in a moment that he is not a Bullshire man; and -what is more, he recognises in an equally short space that he is not a -gentleman for all his pink coat and fine feathers, and his native pride -rebels; so he takes no notice, but turns round and continues his -journey, and getting over the stile with a laugh, he mutters to himself: -"'E's got some cheek an' all, d----n him; I shanna open gate unless 'e's -a bit more civil." - -"Here, you fellah, do you hear--open this gate, will you?" shouts the -angry _parvenu_ again, and then commences a course of good solid abuse. - -This is more than even Hodge can stand, so he slowly faces round again -and says: "Jump o'er it or get off and open it yerself. I ain't paid ter -go about t' country helping the likes o' you home." - -When he tells the story in the public-house, as tell it he will, after -recounting all he saw of the chase and a bit more besides, he will say: -"I knowed he wanna out of Bullshire. None of our gents are like that; -sum City chap maybe, 'ain't larned manners;" and while spending the rest -of the eighteen-pence he has earned out hunting he is as happy as a -king, with whom he would not change places for the world, much -preferring, so long as he can get occasionally a day off and plenty to -eat and drink, to remain as simple--Hodge. - - - - -THE KEEPER. - - -One of the richest men in the county of Bullshire next to "the Dook" is -a Mr. Betteridge, a retired partner of the well-known firm of -Betteridge, Woolsey, and Co., of Manchester, who about five years back -purchased the Medemere estate, which originally belonged to the Slowboy -family. Of course he immediately improved (?) the fine old Elizabethan -hall by adding thereto sundry wings and towers, and also converting the -old-fashioned gardens, with their quaint yew-edges, into trim parterres -and terraces, after what he was pleased to call "the Italian style." - -He has two great objects in life, in both of which unfortunately he -appears bound to be frustrated. The first is to be what is known as "a -popular sportsman," and the second to be considered somebody of -importance. - -With regard to number one--beyond having made a gorse and keeping the -most expensive cattle, which, needless to say, he cannot ride -himself--his ideas are limited; while, in the second instance, he has a -deadly rival, before whom he sinks into insignificance, and whose word -he has learnt to look on as law. - -This individual is neither more nor less than his Head-keeper, "Mr. -James," who (in his own estimation) combines all the virtues under the -sun, and speaks in the most grandiloquent way of "our shooting," "our -woods," "our coverts," "our foxes," "our parties," and "our" Heaven -knows what. Mr. James will inform you that he is a most ardent -fox-hunter, that it is "our pride always to have foxes for Sir John. In -fact, I told Mr. Betteridge that it must be when we first agreed on the -shooting," etc. - -Yet, strange to say, there is a scarcity of the commodity in the -Medemere Woods that does not tally with these high-sounding assertions. -Certainly the gorse generally contains one or two, but that is quite on -the outsides, and near nothing in the pheasant interest. Betteridge -himself would pay anything, do anything (except adopt the only proper -method), to have foxes, and has many a time and oft remonstrated with -"Mr. James" on the subject. But he is invariably snubbed and subdued by -this mighty potentate, and made to wish he had not spoken. - -It is unfortunate that "Mr. James" should have lived, before he -condescended to "assist" Mr. Betteridge, with the Earl of Upcroft, for -the "Hearl" is his great rallying-point; and whenever there is anything -that his present employer does not quite like, and ventures to suggest -alterations upon, it is always: - -"When I lived with the 'Hearl' we never did in no way different to what -we are a-doing now, and the 'Hearl,' he used to say as how, thanks to -me--'I puts it all down to you, James,' was his very words--'heverything -works just like clockwork.' Of course if so be as you wants it -different, why it can be done, but depend hon it the 'Hearl' knowed what -was what." - -After this "Cottonopolis" has nothing to say, and James and the "Hearl" -carry it. - -Give him his due as a Keeper, he is excellent; for getting up a head of -game his equal is not to be found, nor can his method of beating the -covers or showing his birds be surpassed. But in his heart, -notwithstanding his outward professions, he is a vulpecide, and his -satellites are too well trained and hold him in too much awe to say -anything. - -Sir John Lappington distrusts him; indeed, he has gone so far as to -speak to Betteridge on the subject, and old Tom is perfectly convinced -on the point; but James and his "Hearl" have hitherto been more than -they can manage. - -Last season things very nearly came to a climax, for after drawing Mr. -Betteridge's coverts blank three times running, Sir John vowed he would -not come there again. Mr. James was most profuse in his apologies, and -his astonishment was grand. - -"I'm sure," said he, "I can't imagine where them foxes has got to. Bill -saw two in the big wood last night, and I've been most pertickerler -about it. Bill tells me as he knows of another in the Cross Spinney. -Didn't yer, Bill? Where's Bill?" (That worthy having carefully slipped -out of sight on the first signs of a cross-examination.) "Ah! 'e's never -here when he's wanted," continued the great man. "Tom, I'm thinking you -must have drawed over 'em." - -"More than I'm thinking you've done," returned old Tom; adding, _sotto -voce_, "nasty deceitful beggar." - -"Well, Mr. Betteridge," said Sir John after a pause, and with his eye -fixed on "Mr. James," "it's a great pity, but I think I must be to blame -to a certain extent. I ought to have brought out some different hounds. -I must get some truffle-dogs if I come here again. It seems our only -chance of finding foxes, and I daresay your Keeper is right and we have -drawn over them." - -The shouts of laughter that followed this speech made it clear to both -master and man that there was some sarcasm, but neither of them could -make out quite what it was--until the evening, when Mr. James, happening -to meet the village schoolmaster, asked him what Sir John meant by -truffle-dogs, and was informed that they were a peculiar breed that -found things underground. - -The joke went round the village in a trice, and Mr. James is still known -as "Truffles," though it is not quite safe to call him so to his face. - -For more than half the season the Master kept his word, and the hounds -never came near Medemere. But at last a piteous appeal from Mr. -Betteridge is listened to, and "Monday, Medemere Hall," appears in the -paper. - -Such a turn-out! A breakfast, more than half of it down from Gunter's; -powdered footmen rushing about in everybody's way; footmen out of powder -doing the same thing; a butler, whose busy appearance is worth a hundred -a-year to him, superintending the champagne, which flowed freely; and -over all Mr. Betteridge, flushed, excited, and uncomfortable. - -Outside is the same profusion, and Mr. James and his army of retainers -dispense good cheer with a liberal hand. No fear has he to-day, for Bill -has actual and _bonâ-fide_ knowledge of a fox in the osiers, and to make -quite certain, a small box from Leadenhall Market came down two days -before, and the contents have been shaken out in the big wood. - -Under the circumstances he can afford to pass by Tom's remark of "Hope -you haven't stopped no foxes in to-day" in silence, merely saying: "I -think we had better draw our Osiers first, if Sir John is agreeable. I -have told Mr. Betteridge that would be the first draw." - -"Oh, you have, have yer?--that was kind of you," says Tom; and turning -to the Whip: "Charles, put those hounds to me; they might go and injure -Mr. James's flower-beds." - -What the result of this speech, which of course raised a laugh, might -have been it is hard to say, for at this moment out comes the Master and -Mr. Betteridge, followed by the rest of the field. Mr. James takes off -his hat with a low bow, and says: "Beg pardon, Sir John, I was a just -saying to the Huntsman that we'd better try the Hosiers first. Bill -knows of a fox there." - -"I hope he does this time, James," replies Sir John; "but I am going to -draw the big wood, and then the Osiers." - -"Very good, Sir John; of course you knows best," remarks Mr. James, and -then hurries off, thinking how deuced lucky it is that he had a bagman -down on the chance. - -When they arrive at the bottom of the wood they find the great man -standing at the gate full of importance, and with an air of -self-satisfaction on his face. "I'm sure there's summut up, sir," says -old Tom to Sir John, as the hounds dash into cover. "He'd never look so -'nation pleased if there was not some roguery in the wind. Eleu, in; -eleu, at him; eugh, boys. Bagman, maybe. Eleu, try." A tally-ho from the -far side before the hounds have opened on the line cuts him short, and -with a "Danged if I don't think I'm right," the old Huntsman, blowing -his horn, gallops down the ride to where the holloa was heard. The -hounds do not settle on the line kindly, in fact, the old hounds will -scarcely own it; however, they get along somehow for about a quarter of -an hour, when poor bagman's race is run and they pull him down. - -"Who-whoop," yells Tom; "who-whoop, and if that don't make yer ashamed -of yourself nothin' will; I know'd he were a bagman--dang the cheek of -the man." - -Not a hound will touch him, not even the young entry, and Sir John is -perfectly furious. - -"Mr. Betteridge," he says; as that worthy appears, quite innocent and -highly delighted at there being a fox at all. "Mr. Betteridge, I came -here at your request to draw your covers; I came here on your assurance -that there were foxes; and you, sir, have the audacity to turn out a -stinking bagman in front of my hounds." - -"My dear Sir John," replied the unfortunate man, "I never should dream -of doing such a thing; my Keeper told me there were foxes; but I never -would have turned out a bagman, I assure you. How can you tell it is a -bag fox?" - -"I believe, Mr. Betteridge, you are innocent, and I apologise," says Sir -John after a pause. "You ask me how I know. Look there at the hounds, -they know well enough. Frankly, I tell you that unless you arrange -matters with your Keeper James, who is the author of this, I will not -draw your covers again, nor will I take your subscription to the -hounds;" and then, turning to Tom, "try the Osiers, and if that's blank, -trot off to Lappington." - -Mr. Betteridge is quite flabbergasted, and in the first flush of the -thing vows vengeance against the Keeper, but this cools down -considerably before they get to the osiers, and he begins to turn over -in his mind what the "Hearl" would have done. Mr. James is ignorant of -the little scene that has been enacted, so meets the hounds at the -Osiers, and, touching his hat to Sir John, with a smile says: "Killed -him, sir? You'll find another here." - -He is somewhat astonished, therefore, when he is told that if he dare do -such a thing again he as likely as not will get his discharge, and if -Mr. Betteridge can't be persuaded to do that he is still more likely to -get a good thrashing for his impertinence. - -"Dang your ugly mug," says Tom to him, as soon as Sir John is out of -hearing; "you thought to come the clever over me and t' hounds, did yer? -Ugh, they'd no more eat a bag fox than they'd touch your dirty overgrown -carcass. I'd like to gi' yer what for, big as yer are;" and then the -hounds crash over into the witheys, and Tom begins to draw. From the way -they dash there is no doubt of a good fox this time, and presently a -whimper from Bonnibel strikes the key-note. Up and down the Osiers twice -he goes, with the pack close at him, and then away. No. One of the -Keeper's satellites, and under-Velveteens, heads him, and he sneaks back -along the wet ditch, while the hounds flash into the grass-field. - -"Tall'o baik," screams Charles, who has seen it. "Will you take yourself -away from there?" and Velveteens removes himself and feels humble. - -One more round, and then he does go, and sets his head straight for -Colliston, a grand line, grass the whole way. The first fifty minutes is -racing pace, and the grief over the big fences plentiful. Four or five -minutes are lost in a small pit-hole by a farm, where the fox had tried -an earth, and then they are away again, rolling him over in the open -twenty minutes later. - -"A real good thing," is the unanimous verdict, and the Master is only -too glad to tell Mr. Betteridge, when he arrives (which he does after -all has been over some time) that the present animal makes up for the -morning's performance, whereat the heart of "Cottonopolis" is made -joyful again. - -As they ride together to the next draw--Colliston Gorse--Mr. Betteridge -begs Sir John to come and dine with him that night quite alone, and to -help him to interview Mr. James. Sir John, foreseeing a good result, -accepts, and after dinner, at which meal Mr. Betteridge hears some good -wholesome truths, Mr. James is sent for. - -Directly he appears and sees Sir John he knows it is all up, and that -the "Hearl" will not serve him a bit; and his heart fails when Sir John -commences by saying: "Your master has left the matter on which we have -sent for you entirely in my hands." Then, after keeping him on -tenter-hooks for a quarter of an hour, and turning the man inside out, -he relieves him by saying: "The fox from the Osiers saved you, but Mr. -Betteridge has given his word of honour that the next time the hounds -come here and there are no foxes--wild ones I mean--that day is your -last with him, and you go--without a character." - -Mr. James, humbled and apologetic, commences a long string of -protestations and assurances of amendment, but is cut short by "That -will do; go and act, don't talk." Betteridge thinks the Master the most -wonderful man, and cannot make out how he braved Mr. James and the -"Hearl" so cleverly; but he is awfully grateful, and being a man of his -word it is to be hoped that in future there will be foxes at Medemere, -and that he will no longer be under the thumb of--the Keeper. - - - - -THE AUTHORITY. - - -It is ten years since Mr. Hall did the Bullshire country the honour of -becoming a resident, and in that time he has managed to assert himself -considerably, and may now be considered "no small pumpkins." At least -the Hall family look on themselves in that light, and surely they must -be the best judges. - -Hall _père_ is a good-natured open-handed sportsman, who rides the best -horses, smokes the best cigars, and drinks the best wine that money can -procure, but who has the misfortune to consider himself an authority on -sport and hunting, and is also afflicted with a weakness for seeing his -lucubrations in print. - -Mrs. Hall, on the other hand, affects the evangelical rôle, and is -forever establishing _crèches_, forming night-schools, and endeavouring -to lead the young men of Bullshire in the way that they should go. She -is also of a literary turn of mind, and has published more than once -under the auspices of the S.P.C.K. Her latest effort was not quite a -success, owing, she says, to "bitter and unchristian hostility." - -She had spent much time on the completion of a "sporto-religious" -novel--"one that anybody might read without a blush," as she put it; and -when finished she called it "A Heavenly Hunt, or Hints by the Way." - -Harold Lappington and a few kindred spirits, however, were unkind enough -to parody the book; and a week afterwards was distributed broadcast -throughout the country, "Running a Ring, or Hints on Matrimony." - -The joke was too good not to be appreciated, and one may safely say -that the only person who did not see it was Mrs. Hall herself. Even her -husband laughed at her, and talked grandiloquently about writing on -subjects that she did not understand. - -It was for a long time a mystery to the members of the Hunt how the -accounts of their sport got into the papers, and Sir John tried in vain -to discover the reporter. Marvellously accurate were the descriptions of -the run, names of places, distances, what each particular hound did, -where Tom made his cast for better or for worse, and the various -incidents or accidents of the chase were all set forth without an error. -So men came to the conclusion that it must be some one of the -hard-riders, and consequently were more puzzled than ever. Everybody was -accused in turn--the Doctor, the Parson, even Mrs. Talford; but all -denied the soft impeachment. - -When the matter was alluded to at the hunt-dinner by Sir John, it was -noticed that Mr. Hall did not look quite as if he was enjoying his -dinner, and whispers of "It's old Hall; look at him," passed from one to -the other. - -"But then Hall never rides a yard. How the deuce could he know all about -it?" said others; and the matter was as far from being solved as ever. - -Old Tom, however, determines to get at the bottom of it, and as he rides -to Brainsty cross-roads, he maps out a plan of operations. It is not a -nice day by any means, a high blustering north-east wind blowing, as Tom -says, "fit to turn yer inside out;" and, as he takes refuge with the -pack behind a barn, the old Huntsman does not anticipate much sport. The -field arrive by twos and threes, with heads bent down and upturned -collars, looking as wretched as men generally do when beating up against -a gale. Almost the last comer is Mr. Hall, who immediately gives it as -his opinion that there cannot possibly be any fun, and that he should -not be surprised if Sir John took the hounds home. - -"I've seen 'em run hard in worse weather nor this, sir," says Tom, with -a smile and a shiver. - -"Well, I never have, and you may take it I know something about -hunting," replies the Authority. - -"What's that?" asks the Master, who has just got on to his horse. - -"Nothing, Sir John; nothing. I only said that there would be no sport, -and Tom seems to think differently;" and then, turning to the men about -him, Mr. Hall continues: "It's impossible for any scent to lie with this -wind. Besides, what fox in his senses would face it?" - -"There's more nor one kind o' scent, and if t' fox wunna face t' wind, -ay mun travel wi' it," puts in Tom, and then trots off best pace to draw -Ambleside Banks. - -When they arrive at the covert, Mr. Hall informs everybody that "It is -no use going to the far side; no fox ever breaks there. Never has done -yet;" and on some of his audience paying no attention, he shouts: "Oh, -all right; don't blame me if you're thrown out." - -Scarcely are the words out of his mouth than the sound of Tom's horn -comes down on the wind, and the pack are away in full cry, the fox -breaking just where Mr. Hall had said he would not. A sharp burst over -two fields, a quick turn, and then down-wind like lightning, the pace -increasing every yard. - -Unfortunately for the Authority, he does not notice the turn, and, -riding hard along the lane for a point, he finds himself on reaching the -top of a small hill utterly lost, no sign of the hounds and no sound of -any sort to guide him. After riding about aimlessly in every direction -for the best part of an hour, he at last hears tidings of their being -down Hinckley way, and off he goes, only to hear that "T' hounds a-been -gone better nor twenty minutes." It is now getting late, so Mr. Hall -makes up his mind to ride home viâ the kennels, where for a moment we -will leave him and return to Tom and the rest of the field. - -After ten minutes as fast as they can go, the fox tries the low wall of -a farmyard, but the pace has been too hot for him, and he falls back -right into the mouths of the pack. Having performed the funeral rites, -Tom gets his orders for Hinckley, and then commence a series of -disappointments. Foxes there are, for one is soon halloed away; but the -hounds can make nothing of it directly they get into the open. Two or -three times this happens, and it becomes evident that Mr. Hall was right -in the main, and that they could not hunt that day. So at last the -Master gives the word for home, for which few blame him. - -As Tom rides along the road to the kennels, he tells Charles and Harry -they are to be sure and say that it has been a first-class thing, and to -back him up in everything he says. Naturally they both wonder what the -old man is up to, but Tom holds his peace, and will tell them nothing, -looking the while as knowing as a jackdaw who has just hidden something -valuable. Evidently he has concocted some scheme, and a light begins to -dawn on the two Whips when the figure of Mr. Hall is seen in the -distance. - -"Why, Mayster Hall, wheer an yer been to?" says Tom, as they overtake -the lost one. - -"Well," replies Mr. Hall, "I don't know how it was, but when I got to -Kirby I found I was clean out of it. I took the wrong turn in the wood, -you see. You must have dipped the hill, and the infernal wind was so -high I could not hear you." - -"Dear-a me, that was a pity! you missed summat good," exclaims Tom, with -a sorrowful or rather pitiful expression. - -Mr. Hall eagerly snaps at the bait and asks for full -particulars--whether they killed? where they went? who was up? etc. -etc.; all of which information the Huntsman supplies with the gravest of -countenances, inventing as he goes along. Charles and Harry are nearly -convulsed, and it is with the utmost difficulty that they are able to -speak when appealed to by old Tom to corroborate his statements. - -"By Jove, Tom, that was a good thing," says the Authority. "I said that -they could only run down wind. You may always trust me about hunting. -Why, its nearly nine miles straight on end! How long did you say?" - -"Fifty-five minutes, weren't it, Charles?" replies Tom, appealing to the -First Whip. - -"Summat about there," answers Charles, turning away and muttering: "Lord -forgive us, what a start!" - -Mr. Hall then bids good-night to the hunt-servants, and trots home as -pleased as Punch. - -That evening, after Sir John has finished his dinner, his butler tells -him that the Huntsman wishes to speak a word to him, and then Tom tells -his master the story, and what he expected would come of it. - -"He'll never forgive you, Tom, if you are right in what you think; and -he's one of our best supporters," exclaimed Sir John, roaring with -laughter. - -"Never fear, sir, never fear. I can work round him right enow; and I'm -thinking, Sir John, if so be as you will say naught, but just write up -the week after to contradict the whole thing, it will give Mr. Hall a -lesson. He dursn't say anything, as he knows you don't like the 'ounds -wrote of, and the paper won't have no more from Mr. 'Black Hat'" (the -_nom de plume_ of the Bullshire correspondent). - -Next Saturday morning, as sure as fate, men are surprised to see a -description of an extraordinary run from Ambleside, as follows: - - - "A REMARKABLY GOOD DAY WITH THE BULLSHIRE. - - "On Tuesday last this sporting pack had a wonderfully good run in a - gale of wind. There was not a large muster at the meet (Brainsty - cross-roads) owing to the inclemency of the weather, but those who - were bold enough to face the elements had no cause to regret their - temerity. The first draw was Ambleside Banks, noted throughout the - country for the stoutness of its foxes; and on the day in question - it fully kept up its reputation, for scarcely had that best of - huntsmen, Tom Wilding, thrown his hounds into covert, than a real - traveller broke away with the pack almost at his brush. Strange to - say he headed straight up wind, notwithstanding that, as I have - said, it was blowing a gale, and made the best of his way to Kirby - village; then, turning to the right, he led them a cracking pace - over the vale through Shawston to Hinckley Wood; here he was - inclined to hang in covert, but the hounds would not be denied, and - forced him out, when he made his point for Lyston, some three miles - off. The pace had been very fast and the country very stiff, so - that the field was greatly reduced, and there were many cases of - _profundit humi_. Most of the first flight, however, were 'all - there,' including, among others, _place aux dames_, Mrs. Talford, - Sir John Lappington (the Master), Mr. Halston, and Mr. Bowles. - About a mile from Lyston there was a short but welcome check, owing - to the fox having been coursed by a sheep-dog; but Tom, by a - judicious cast, hit off the line, and they were away again. Leaving - Lyston on the left (Reynard having tried the earths there, and - found no admittance), the line lay through Oxley, over the - brook--which proved a serious obstacle to more than one - sportsman--indeed, there were, as might have been expected - considering the pace, more in than over. But to continue. Having - run straight through the village of Oxley, this gallant fox made - for Mr. Browne's farm on the hill; but, unfortunately for him, the - hounds were close at his brush, and before he could reach that - bourne the 'who-whoop' had sounded his _requiem_. Mr. Browne, with - his usual hospitality, regaled those who were there to see the - end, and a nip of his famous ginger brandy was an offer not to be - refused, especially with a long ride home in the teeth of the wind. - The time from start to finish was an hour and five minutes, almost - without a check, and the distance from point to point could not be - less than nine miles. When this celebrated pack have another run - such as that I have endeavoured to describe, may I be again there - to see. - - "BLACK HAT." - - -"Who the deuce can have written all that farrago of nonsense?" says Mr. -Boulter. "Why, we never ran more than a mile and a half." And the -Secretary is not the only one who makes anxious inquiries. - -Mr. Hall has been away in London, and, having only returned that morning -is in blissful ignorance of the way he has been taken in. - -As he arrives there is a general shout of "Here, Hall, you're an -Authority; some idiot has been cooking up an account of Tuesday's sport -and writing to the papers. You never read such a pack of lies in your -life. We must stop this sort of thing. What should be done?" - -The gentleman's feelings can be better imagined than described, and as -he stammers out "I have not seen the paper," he wishes himself -elsewhere. - -It is noticed that that day he does not give his opinion on the -whereabouts of a fox in quite such an authoritative manner, and avoids -everybody as much as possible. Of course he soon hears the true account, -and on the following Saturday his cup is filled when he reads under the -same heading as his own--viz. "A Remarkably Good Day with the -Bullshire"-- - - - "SIR,--I beg to inform you that the account of a run on Tuesday - week with these hounds, which you gave in your last issue, was - entirely fictitious, as we had no sport after the first ten - minutes, the hounds being unable to hunt.--I remain yours - obediently, - - "J. LAPPINGTON, Master B.H." - - -How old Tom managed to smooth the irate individual down is not known, -but nothing more ever came of it, save that "Black Hat" no longer sends -accounts to the papers of sport with the Bullshire Hounds. - - - - -THE BLACKSMITH. - - -Seven A.M. The church clock rings out the hour in the clear still -morning, and the smoke goes up straight into the air from the chimneys -of the cottages of Lappington village. One by one the good dames appear -at their doors with tucked-up sleeves and heads beshawled, and commence -the operation of vigorously shaking strips of carpet, and generally -setting things straight. - -Their lords and masters have ere this gone to their work, and, with the -inevitable short pipe in their mouths, are tramping along best pace to -keep up a circulation and keep out the chill of the early morn. - -But there is another sound which mingles itself with the chiming clock -and the Babel of female voices; it is the measured "clang, clang" of -iron to iron, and as one wends ones way towards that part of the village -from whence it comes, the dull roar of the furnace and the sparks flying -upwards tell us that we are approaching "t' smithy," and that Joe -Billings and his mate are hard at work. - -Presently, three of the Squires horses are seen coming up the road in -their clothing, and Joe, having nearly completed the shoeing of the farm -nags that had been there since half-past six, turns his attention to the -wants of their more noble companions. "Two shod all round and one -removed," says the groom as he comes up; "and look here, old man, don't -keep us waiting no longer than you can help; it's a bit chilly this -morning." - -"First come first served," replies Joe; and turning to his mate: "'Ere, -Bill, look out them 'unting shoes for t' Squire's 'osses. Who-ho, mare, -'old up;" and the rasp of the file again plays an accompaniment to the -tune that Joe whistles as he works. - -"Now then, mayster," says he to the Squire's groom as he finishes; and -the hunters being brought up to the forge the anvil chorus strikes up, -and the lads clap their hands as the sparks fly from the red-hot iron. -More horses arrive, and grooms grumble among themselves at having to -wait their turn. Some try and persuade Joe by soft words to give them -precedence, others say they wish they had gone to some rival shop; but -Joe pays no attention to them, merely giving vent to his favourite -maxim: "First come first served." - -At last one impatient youngster who does not know the Lappington -Blacksmith, having only come down from London a few days before, -commences to bully, and says: "Look 'ere, I ain't going to 'ave my -'osses catch their deaths of cold while you tinkers that moke," pointing -to a rough pony belonging to a small market-gardener. "I'll just speak -to my governor about it. I'm d----d if I'll come here again. Gemmen's -'osses first's what I say--do'e hear, slow coach?" - -Never a word answers Joe, and the bystanders smile; but the young groom -loses his temper, and tries to take the "moke," as he calls it, away, -and substitute his own horses. - -Then Joe does look up, and dropping the foot on which he was at work, -says: "My lad, you'll get yourself into trouble in a minute." - -"How's that?" asks the groom. - -"Why," replies Joe slowly, "if you don't drop that pony's head in two -twos, I shall have to teach you manners. I ain't a quarrelsome chap, but -when a whipper-snapper like you comes messing with my business it's a -bit too hot. I'm blowed if I shan't have to lock you up, or put you in -the pond. Drop it, will yer?" and then, as the young fool persists, he -suddenly walks up to him, seizes him as he would a dog, and putting him -into a shed where he keeps his old iron, turns the key, and with a -chuckle resumes his work, whistling the while as gaily as ever. - -Nor does he let the infuriated master of the horse out of his -confinement till he has finished the quadrupeds, when, opening the door, -with mock politeness, he says: "Your lordship's 'osses is done, if so be -you've a mind to take 'em away." - -Shouts of laughter greet the groom as he emerges from the shed, and -angry as he is he has sense enough to see that the laugh is not on his -side; so without a word he trots off, inwardly vowing vengeance against -Joe Billings. - -"There'll be a bother over this job, Joe," says Harry the Second Whip, -who has come down to the forge from the kennels. "Young Cock-a-hoop will -make a fine tale of it when he gets home." - -"Well," replies Joe, "what can they do? If they takes the shoeing away -it won't break me, and when I says a thing I means it. Them as comes -first is served first, and if they don't like it they can lump it." - -After finishing off with Harry, Joe slips on his coat (such a coat too! -all patched, grimy, and full of small holes burnt by the sparks), and, -rolling up his leather apron, he takes himself away to see if "t' missus -has got breakfust ready." Half an hour suffices for his meal, and by the -time he returns he finds quite a string awaiting his arrival, and he -sets to work with a will. - -At last he comes to a horse shod on the French system, with the shoe let -in and the frog on the ground, and he calls his mate to point it out. -"Here, Bill," says he, "here's one of them Charley shoes as I was -a-telling you of. Did yer ever see such a fanglement?" "Why, there ain't -no bloomin' shoe at all," replies his assistant, gazing open-mouthed, -and listening to Joe's lecture on the subject. "Be we to shoe 'un like -that, I wonder?" - -"No, no, my lad," interrupts the groom in charge; "the governor only -tried it as an experiment, and he wants the 'oss shod in the usual way -again." - -"Proper way, you means," says Joe; "you won't catch me a-doing an -animal after that fashion, I can tell yer. Them experiments is all very -well for the Mossoos, who don't 'unt, but when it comes to gitting over -a country--laws, it's ridickerlous!" - -By ten o'clock Joe has pretty nearly finished, except an odd job or two, -such as tacking on a loose shoe for Mr. Grimes the butcher, or "fettling -up" old Betty Wilson's donkey, and he has time to turn his attention to -a ploughshare or a harrow that requires doctoring, or maybe the springs -of Farmer Giles's tax-cart. - -As he is engaged on one of these a lad runs in panting and out of breath -with a message as "'ow Mr. Stiles would be main glad if Mayster Billings -would step over and look at t' red coo, as 'e's afeard on 'er dropping." - -"Right, my lad," says Joe; "just nip down and tell my missus to give yer -my medicine-box and that bottle of stuff as stands in the winder, and -then come back wi' 'em." - -It may be gathered from this that Joe combines the office of cow-doctor -with his other employment; and I may safely say that a better one of the -old-fashioned school could hardly be found anywhere. Certainly his -remedies for both cow and horse are simple to a degree. Nevertheless, he -is entirely successful, and by a sort of rule of thumb dispenses -medicine, of which the analysis may be peculiar, but the efficacy -undoubted. - -He has the greatest contempt for all veterinary surgeons, and is wont to -say he "would as soon shoot the beast as let them mess any cow of his -about." - -Patent medicine is another of his pet aversions, and it is a sort of -standing joke to ask him his opinion of "Hoplemuroma" or -"Neurasthenhipponskellisterizon." - -"Oh, get out. Don't come blathering me with yer hops and skillyrison!" -he will say. "'Ow the deuce do I know what muck they puts into 'em? -Suppose I was to call one of my oils 'Smithyjoebillingtonyeyson,' what -the ---- would old Farmer Stiles say, and what better stuff would it be -for all its crack-jaw name? No, damme, call a spade a spade. None o' -that new-fangled bosh for Joe Billings." - -Joe has been at the smithy for some five-and-twenty years now, and -though he numbers considerably over fifty years of age, is as hale and -hearty a man as one would wish to see. One failing he has got which -generally attacks him on Saturday nights, and that is a miscalculation -as to the amount of liquor he can comfortably carry. A dangerous man is -he to cross when in his cups, moreover, for his arm is as powerful as -the leg of a horse, and he has besides got some knowledge of the noble -art. - -Indeed it is within the recollection of many a Lappingtonian how Joe at -one time fought with the "Brummagem Pet" for twenty-five pounds a-side, -and how, though terribly mauled, he stuck to it like a man, and, blinded -as he was, managed in the sixteenth round to knock "the Pet" out of -time with a terrific left-hander on the temple, shouting as he delivered -the blow: "There's a taste of Bullshire for yer!" - -However, it is not often that the sturdy Blacksmith gets into a row, for -he would far sooner sit still and listen to an account of a good run or -the records of some bygone champion of the Ring. Indeed, everything -connected with sport of any kind goes straight to his soul, and that -there are few sporting subjects you can mention he does not know -something about is evident from the pertinent remarks he occasionally -lets fall. - -On a hunting-day, if the hounds are anywhere within reach, Joe may be -seen at the smithy with an array of different-sized shoes ready laid out -beside him, and as he works on some job in the shop he keeps one eye -down the road, on the look-out for some unfortunate sportsman who has -had the misfortune to get a shoe off. - -It is his pride that he can tack a shoe on quicker than any man in the -country. "Yer see," he says, "I 'as 'em all ready by me, and when I sees -the gent a-coming, I 'ain't got no cause to look 'ere and there and -heverywhere for the stuff I wants. There they are, and it's on and away -in a jiff." - -All the time he is asking the sportsman about the day: "What sort of a -run? where he left the hounds? and where they was a-going to draw next?" -And then, having received his due, he will step outside, take a look -which way the wind is, and direct the thrown-out fox-hunter as to his -most likely course in order to hit off the hounds again. - -Odd to say, he is seldom wrong (unless, indeed, they have had a quick -find, and gone away before the sportsman arrives at the indicated spot); -for long experience has taught Joe all the short cuts in the country, -together with which he combines an innate knowledge of the run of a fox. -Old Tom Wilding the Huntsman, and Sir John Lappington the Master, are, -in his opinion, the two greatest men in England. For, as he puts it, -"Without them two where would be the 'ounds? and without the 'ounds -where would my bloomin' business go to?" - -Then perhaps someone will point out that he might make a better thing -out of cow-doctoring; but his reply will be: "Oh, that's your opinion, -is it? well; it ain't mine. Look'ee 'ere--any fool, 'cept a vetery, -who's got a ounce of sense, can do a cow; but mark yer, it takes a -goodish time to make a man a blacksmith; and though I say it as perhaps -shouldn't, there ain't a man as I gives in to in the matter of shoeing -an 'oss, no matter where he comes from. No, as long as I can use my arm" -(and he bares a limb that would not disgrace a statue of Hercules), "and -there's any wind in the old bellows, I sticks to t' smithy. Blacksmith I -was bred, and so I'll die; and all I wants is, when our ould parson 'as -finished the reading over my grave, to 'ave a plain bit of a 'eadstone -put up, with simple 'Joe Billings, the Lappington Blacksmith,' wrote on -it;" and then Joe will turn to and whistle a lively air, just to get -the idea of his demise out of his head, and the bystanders will say -among themselves that at present they can't spare old Joe, who has for -five-and-twenty years made the sparks fly and rung out the anvil chorus -in the smithy at Lappington. - - - - -THE RUNNER. - - -There is no better-known individual in the whole of the Bullshire Hunt -perhaps than Jack Whistler the Runner, or, as is he more commonly -called, "Jumping Jack." His antecedents are somewhat obscure, and -various contradictory stories are told as to who he is and what he was; -but his presence at the end of a long run, or in any spot where he -thinks he may have the chance of earning an honest shilling, is a -positive certainty. - -How he manages to turn up at the right moment is only another of the -mysteries which surround him; but the fact remains the same, that Jack -has solved the problem of "how to be in two places at once" most -satisfactorily. No matter how long the day has been, or how many miles -he has to go back to the place where he is supposed to have his home, -the next day you will see him at the meet as fresh as paint, in his old -pink-and-brown leather gaiters, with the same keen eye and half-saucy -smile on his face as he doffs his well-worn velvet cap at your approach. - -Full of quaint humour is Jack, with many a story of sport, and many a -reminiscence of flood and field, which he delights in relating to anyone -he can get to listen to him. - -"Ger on with yer," he will say to a crowd of gaping rustics; "ger on -with yer--call last Wednesday's a run? Why, bless yer, I remember in the -old Squire's time, when we run from Finchley cross-roads to Ipply Gorse, -better nor five-and-twenty mile, and old Mayster Simpson got up to his -neck in the brook, and I stood on the bank fit to bust mysen with -larfin, and wouldna pull un out under two half-crowns. Ah! them was -days, I can tell yer." - -And then, some mounted cavalier arriving, off goes the hunting-cap, and -he accosts the sportsman with "Morning, captin'; fine scenting day; hold -your horse? thankee, sir," all in one breath. - -Not a hound in the pack but what knows him and is glad to see him; and -he can call them all by name, and give you their pedigree without a -mistake. As old Tom says: "Where he picks up his knowledge Lord knows, -but 'e's never wrong, and, by Guy, 'e's a puzzler to be sure." - -It is getting near the end of the season, and the weather is just a -trifle warm, as old Tom with the hounds overtakes Jack Whistler making -his way towards the meet at Fairleigh. There is a breakfast there, and -Jack likes to be in time on those occasions, for he knows that he will -earn many a sixpence before the actual work begins, besides getting his -day's food and drink gratis. - -"Holloa, old man, what have yer got there? going a-fishing?" exclaims -Tom as he comes up with the pedestrian. "What's that thing for?" -pointing to a light pole that Jack is balancing on his shoulder. - -"Fishing be blowed," is the reply, "it's my jumper. Don't yer see it's a -bit 'ot, and old Riley" (a fellow-runner in a neighbouring pack) "put me -up to the tip last week as ever was. He says, says he: 'Why don't yer -have a pole made? it ain't much to carry, and you can get over hanythink -with it.' So I've had this fettled up, and I've been pract_is_ing a bit -with it, and I can go fine now I can tell yer." - -"Oh, that's it, is it?" says Tom. "Well, I should a thought it were more -trouble than it were worth carrying a great fishing-rod of a thing like -that about." - -"Ger out," retorts Jack; "it ain't nothing when yer used to it. I -thought it were a new-fangled notion at first, and I came nigh breaking -my neck two or three times over a pigsty wall afore I got into it; but -look'ee 'ere, it's as easy as shelling peas;" and Jack proceeds to show -Tom his prowess in the noble art of saltation. - -Taking a short run, with a "Ger back, hounds," he essays to top the -fence out of the road; but, alas, to the intense amusement of Tom and -the two Whips, his pole sinks into some soft ground, and poor Jack falls -all of a heap into the wet ditch on the far side, uttering the while -exclamations the reverse of complimentary against the treacherous friend -of his travels that had so basely betrayed him. - -When he appears, scratched and muddy, in the road again, as soon as Tom -can stop laughing he advises him to "leave the bloomin' pole where it -is, and not go cutting any more capers of that sort." But Jack's dander -is up, and his only reply is to shoulder his weapon and walk on. -Presently they arrive at the fixture, and Mr. Whistler's hands are quite -full. Indeed, what between laying in a cargo for himself and looking -after horses while their owners do the like, he has not much time to -talk. - -Then comes the business of altering stirrups, tightening girths, and -looking after his tips. A marvellous memory does Jack show in this -latter respect. Vain indeed is it to try and put on an air of unconcern -at his approach, as if you had never seen him before, or as if you had -entirely forgotten the service he rendered you when you got that spill -last week, and he recovered your horse for you on the promise of -half-a-crown. - -Jack remembers the circumstance well and the promise better, and he will -sidle up to you with a smile, and say: "Morning cap'n. None the worse -for the fall? Have not seen yer out since. Hope you won't forget Jack;" -and then, having received his recompense, his quick eye catches sight of -another debtor, and with a "Thank'ee kindly, sir," he is off to collect -more dues. - -What he likes best is being taken as a pilot by some comparative -stranger to the country, whose heart is not placed in that position -requisite to enable him to follow the hounds or ride straight. Then he -is in his glory, and from his knowledge of the highways and byways he -invariably manages to nick in at various points, and eventually brings -his craft safely into port without any casualties. - -Of course for this he expects something handsome, and though he makes no -bargain he has got a way of returning thanks for any gift he deems -insufficient that shows plainly enough his opinion, and generally -extracts something in addition. To-day, by the time the hounds move off, -Jack has made quite a haul, for, being near the end of the season, men -have "remembered the Runner." He is in high feather, and what between -pleasure and the effects of the old ale, he is a little unsteady and -more garrulous than usual. - -"Wheer to, Mayster Wilding?" he asks Tom, as he shoulders his pole and -swings it in close proximity to the Huntsman's head. - -"Mind what you're a-doin' of, a-poking a fellow's eye out with that -thing. We're a goin' to draw the gorse first, but you'd better leave -that blessed article behind, or you'll be killing somebody," retorts -Tom, riding off, while Jack, with a laugh, swings off best pace towards -the first draw, and as soon as he arrives at the gorse places himself in -a commanding position to await the turn of events. - -Just as the hounds are thrown in there is a bit of commotion down at the -other end, and a loose horse galloping past tells the tale of a -misfortune. Away goes Jack in hot chase, and manages to catch the -riderless steed in a trice. When he returns he finds it is Mr. -Betteridge, who, having trusted himself on a new purchase, has been fain -to dismount rather more hurriedly than he intended. However, no bones -are broken, and Jack, having added another bit of silver to his day's -earnings, betakes himself to where he had left his pole. - -It is a quick find, and the fox breaks close by Mr. Whistler, who, as -soon as he sees him well away, gives vent to his feelings in a somewhat -beery view holloa, and then proceeds to follow as fast as he can. At the -bottom of the meadow, below the gorse, runs a broadish brook, and a good -many turn away for the road and bridge which spans the obstacle. On any -other occasion Jack would have done the same, but his failure in the -road and old Tom's laughter still rankles in his bosom, and as he runs -down towards the water he clutches his pole and says to himself: "I'll -show some on 'em as I ain't a-going to be second. I'll pound a few on -'em I'll bet. I do 'ope that old beggar Tom 'ull get a wet jacket." - -As the hounds dash in and feather about on the other side, Tom and the -hard-riders pull up to see which way the line lies and whether the fox -is over or not. But Jack does not stop a moment, and with an exultant -shout of "Come on, gents, what are yer waiting for?" he jumps as far as -he can, and, holding his pole in a slanting position, plunges it in to -aid him in his journey over the water. - -The pole touches the bottom and then sinks into about two feet of mud, -leaving Jack suspended in mid-air. A momentary pause, and with a "Rot -the thing!" the Runner disappears from view beneath the waters of the -brook, emerging on the other side half drowned and covered with black -slime, while the instrument of his misfortune remains erect in the -middle. - -"I _thought_ you was a-going fishing," says Tom with a chuckle; as he -lands safe by the side of Jack, and then as he passes him to get to the -hounds: "You'd better take a few lessons from your pal Riley afore you -try again." - -The rest of the spectators are nearly in a state of collapse with -laughter, both at the pitiable sight Jack presents as well as at the -murderous glances he casts at the pole; but hounds are running and there -is no time to lose, so the chase sweeps past and he is left alone in his -misery to make the best of his way home. As soon as Jack has scraped -himself a bit clean and wrung out his coat, he feels carefully in his -pockets to see if all his gains are safe; and finding everything right -in that respect he brightens up, and leaving his pole where it is, moves -off at a brisk jog-trot to the nearest public to _dry_ the outer and -_wet_ the inner man. - -When next he appears at the door he shows evident signs that he has -accomplished the latter part of his purpose, for his course is anything -but straight, and after taking nearly an hour to do half a mile he -manages to stagger into a barn, where in a few moments he is "wrapt in -sweet slumber." - -He is not, however, likely to take any harm from the proceeding, for he -is used to the sort of sleeping-place, and will turn out next morning--a -little red about the eyes perhaps--but ready to go any distance with the -hounds, and, what is more, equally ready for some more of the "hair of -the dog that bit him." - -Passionately fond of hounds and hunting, he enjoys life thoroughly -during the winter, and lives on the fat of the land; but when what he -calls the "stinking violets and primroses" appear, things are not so -pleasant. "Othello's occupation gone," he has to fall back on odd jobs -and an occasional half-a-crown from Sir John or some of his friends, -and, failing these, may be generally found "at home" at the "red house," -maybe better known as the "workus." - -Vagabond he is, and vagabond he will remain. Nevertheless, there is many -a man who would be sorry to hear of anything serious happening to Jack -Whistler the Bullshire Runner. - - - - -THE MAN AT THE TOLL-BAR. - - -The greatest friend or enemy of John Pillings could hardly accuse him of -being either an over-sociable or too-genial individual. In fact, he has -earned throughout the length and breadth of the county the nickname of -"Ould Sulky," and is perhaps better known by that sobriquet than by the -more lawful patronymic bestowed upon him by his parents and his -godfather and godmother at his baptism. - -This being the case, it may fairly be said that Pillings has at last -settled down into his proper place, and is one of the few instances of -the "round man in a round hole." He has not always been at the -toll-gate; on the contrary, his life has been somewhat varied, and he -has experienced a good many of the ups and downs of the world. - -He began by being "bound 'prentice" to a carpenter, but his temper was -against him, and so when his time was up he took to the more active life -of a sailor. - -Here again his enemy found him out, and he said good-bye to his -shipmates without much sorrow on their part. "'Bout as much use -a-talking to _him_ as a marlinspike. Mate yer calls him! Nasty sulky -beggar! In everybody's mess and nobody's watch," was the general verdict -of the men; so it was no wonder they were glad to see him go over the -side. - -For the second time Mr. Pillings was in want of a job, and on this -occasion he took to butchering, which he thought might be more likely to -agree with his temperament. But in about two months he quarrelled with -his master, and after they had had it out in the slaughter-house -Pillings found himself once more in the world with three half-crowns in -his pocket, about ten pounds at the bank, and a pair of as beautiful -black eyes as one would wish to see, to say nothing of a nose three -times its proper size, and a good many teeth very shaky. - -When he had got his countenance back to its pristine beauty he tried his -hand at The Red Cow as barman, and, strange to say, he managed to get on -in this capacity very well. - -The Red Cow, it must be known, is an inn much frequented by the knights -of the pencil, so that Pillings, by keeping his ears open, and by a few -judicious investments, soon managed to make a nice little nest-egg for -himself; and having fallen a victim to the charms of the chambermaid, he -offered to share his fortune with her. - -Unfortunately for him the lady was "willing," and in a few months became -Mrs. P., and shortly afterwards a mother. - -The landlord of The Red Cow, on finding it out, was exceeding wroth, -and sent John and his spouse packing instanter, which, as may be -supposed, did not improve the man's temper or conduce to the domestic -happiness of his wife. - -After various ups and downs too numerous to enter into, to make a long -story short, John Pillings, through the interest of a "friend at court," -found himself installed at the gate-house, with nothing to do but open -the gate, take the toll, and occasionally vary the monotony of existence -by getting tipsy and belabouring his spouse. The latter event has become -more frequent of late years, as, unlike the generality of things, the -older he gets the _tighter_ he gets, and often people are surprised to -find the gate open and no one to take the money, "Old Sulky" being drunk -in bed, and his wife having taken refuge with a neighbour until her -husband is all right again. - -When he is not in a hopeless condition he is as smart as needs be, and -a very 'cute man indeed it would have to be who could manage to evade -the toll while the Man at the Gate was on the look-out. - -What Pillings likes best is, on a market morning to keep the gate shut, -and then when the farmers come hurrying up and shout: "Now then, gate; -hi! gate," he will turn out, look up and down the road, and go slowly up -to the tax-cart, or whatever the indignant individual may be in, and say -"Toll." - -"Hang you; open the gate, and look sharp," is the probable reply, as the -money is handed down. - -"Sha'n't go no quicker; ain't paid no more for looking sharp. If ye'r in -such a bloomin' hurry, open it yerself," says Pillings, as he slowly -unfastens the bolt and swings the gate back, laughing to himself as the -farmers, pouring imprecations on his head, dash through. - -More than once has "Ould Sulky" been the object of such delicate -attentions as having his door nailed up, and twice has the toll-gate -been lifted off its hinges and carried bodily into the next parish. A -very short time ago a few adventurous spirits, coming home from the -market-town and finding the toll-gate open, stormed the gate-house, -where Pillings was lying dead-drunk upstairs, and lifting him into their -trap they carried him off to the nearest pound, where, having borrowed a -wheelbarrow, they left him for the night; and the next morning the -people of the village were astonished to see the keeper of the tollbar -reposing, _à la_ Pickwick, "drunk in a wheelbarrow." - -John Pillings was perfectly furious, and did all he could to find out -with the aid of the police who the offenders were; but the matter coming -to the ears of Sir John Lappington in his capacity as chairman of the -bench of magistrates, he thought it best to give "Ould Sulky" a timely -hint that, unless he reformed, he would find himself again on the -world, and also recommended him strongly to give up searching for his -abductors. - -Perhaps the Master's brother, Harold Lappington, having been the prime -mover in the freak, had as much to do with this sage counsel as Sir -John's magisterial capacity; but no matter how that is, suffice it that -Pillings dropped the subject like a hot potato, and fell back on his own -thoughts for comfort. - -He says now: "I'll be even with them scamps some day, or my name ain't -Pillings. As soon as ever I finds out--and find 'em I will, police or no -police--I'll smash 'em; you see." - -Old Tom and the Master he holds in great dread, and looks up to them -with as much veneration as his nature is capable of feeling. But for the -common herd, _alias_ the field, he has no respect, and often makes -himself exceedingly unpleasant to boot. If the hounds happen to run his -way, and the macadam brigade come galloping down the road, "Ould Sulky" -is out in a jiff, and bang goes the gate, while he stands in front and -utters the monosyllabic "Toll." - -"Oh, all right, open the gate, the last man will pay," shouts someone. - -"You'll only go through one at a time, and you'll each pay, or I'll know -the reason why. I've never found that last cove 'as any money along with -him," retaliates Pillings; and there he will stand taking each man's -money and fumbling about for the change, till all the luckless ones are -through and the hounds are well out of sight and hearing. - -Then "Sulky" will retire to his den with a chuckle and put away the -money, muttering to himself: "Last chap 'ull pay! Likely as I'm going to -be took in a that 'uns. Don't fancy they'll see much of t' hounds again -anyhow." - -Of course if Sir John or Tom happens to be there Pillings is civility -itself, and there is no question of first or last, for he knows it would -not do, and that if he were to play those sort of pranks with the Master -his place would not be worth an hour's purchase. As it is, he is often -hard put to it to find an excuse for his behaviour; but he somehow -manages to escape by the skin of his teeth, and from constant repetition -his performances are looked upon as a regular institution in the county. - -It is, however, whispered abroad that another year will see a different -face at the gate, for even the most conservative of mortals is apt to -tire of John's rudeness, and so they are only waiting a favourable -opportunity in order to get rid of him altogether. - -They have repeatedly tried to have the turnpike removed from the road, -and have pointed out the inconvenience and annoyance of the thing; but -hitherto their efforts have been of no avail, so now they have given it -up as a bad job, and have banded themselves together to catch out the -principal cause of the nuisance. If they are successful, and Pillings is -again out of employment, it will be a difficult matter with him to find -bread for himself and wife, for it is extremely doubtful whether anyone -in Bullshire would care to have so morose and drunken a servant about -their premises. - -Perhaps after a month or two in the workhouse, he may turn over a new -leaf and so get some berth; but under existing circumstances, as old Tom -told him one day, if he loses his place he will have either to starve or -let himself out as a scarecrow at so much a-day. Therefore, for his own -sake, it is to be hoped next season he will improve his manners, and so -remain in the only position for which he is suited--to wit, the Man at -the Toll-bar. - - - - -WHO-WHOOP! - - -A bright warm morning in April, with just enough keenness in the air to -make one say to oneself: "There's a chance of a scent this morning." - -A day on which that peculiar freshness of the new-born spring seems to -pervade everything. The buds on the roadside hedges, wet with a passing -shower, sparkle and glint in the sunshine, and the grass on the banks is -green and moist. - -Even old Tom feels the effect of the glorious day, though he does -anathematise the "stinking violets" as he rides to the closing meet at -Fallow Field, and wonders "'ow in the name of all that's merciful t' -hounds can work in cover with the 'nation primroses a-coming out." - -Still, he knows well that there has been such a thing before now as a -real "buster" in April, and he looks approvingly on the surroundings, -and mutters to himself that, "If t' sun wunna come out too strong, they -may be able to do summat arter all." - -As the hounds move jauntily along, it is evident to the merest tyro that -their condition is as nearly perfect as can be, and that the wear and -tear of the past season has had but little effect on them. Indeed Tom is -quite ready to go on the whole year round if it were possible; and as -Harry rides after Belldame, whose spirits have got the better of her -discipline (an old hare in the hedgerow having proved irresistible), he -says: "Let t' ould bitch alone, Harry; 'er won't 'ave another chance -this year, more's the pity; they mun do as they're a-mind to-day--till -wa cum to business at all events." - -So Belldame saves her bacon, and the old hare having got clean off, she -returns to her place looking somewhat crestfallen. - -Everybody in the country is at Fallow Field--men on horses of all sorts, -shapes, and sizes. Even a donkey carries a living freight for the day, -and is transformed into a "perfect fencer." Vehicles of every -description are drawn up at the trysting-place, from the mail-phaeton -and pair of steppers to the more humble conveyance of the costermonger. - -Those who can find nothing whereon they may ride are fain to turn out -afoot, but turn out they do in scores; and no wonder, for in a country -like Bullshire, where every man, woman, and child have the spirit of -sport strong upon them, each one is bound to see the last day of the -season, and if they cannot all hope to be in at the death, still they -can see the hounds find and go away, which is more than half the battle, -and will give food for conversation for many a week afterwards. - -Of course all our old friends are there. The Parson and Doctor ride up -together, and receive quite an ovation from the foot-people; then -shortly afterwards the popular Secretary arrives, and causes the usual -commotion among the gentlemen in arrears with their subscriptions. - -The Simmses have joined old Tom and the hounds on the road, and their -advent is the signal for a ringing cheer, which is quickly suppressed -when Sir John is seen cantering up with Harold, Mrs. Talford, and the -Colonel; the Major, with a heap more, bringing up the rear. - -Of course the Major has a deal of fault to find with everything, as -usual; and, equally of course, the Boaster is spinning a yarn of his own -prowess, and endeavouring to impress Mr. Betteridge with the idea that -he is the only man of the hunt who has gone straight during the season. - -Jack the Runner is making a good haul, and, were he provident, might be -able to lay by a little store to help through the summer; but, as we -know, he is exactly the reverse, and whatever he earns to-day will be -clean gone by the end of the week, if not before. - -"Well, Tom," says the Parson, from the middle of the pack (he has -dismounted, and is surrounded by his favourites), "I suppose you won't -be sorry to give the horn a bit of rest, eh? What say you, Minstrel?" -turning to the old hound. - -"Sorry, Master Halston; I shanna know what to do wi' mysen till wa begin -cubbing. It's allas the same, and t' hounds feel it just like I," -replies Tom. "But never mind," he continues with a smile, "if so be as -you'll gie us a sermon now and again about fox-'unting, I make no doubt -we shall do." - -"Well, Tom, I should be puzzled for a text, I think," rejoins the -Parson; "perhaps you will find one for me." - -At which remark the bystanders smile, for old Tom is not a very regular -attendant; but the smile breaks into a loud peal of laughter when the -Huntsman retaliates as quick as thought by saying: "Ay, I wull; you -wunna have far to look. You can take for the first Sunday, 'Many dogs -a-cum about me;' and then for the next week, as a wind-up, you can give -us 'The fat bulls of Bashan,' and say what a murdering nuisance they was -a-crossing the line." And with a "Coop, coom away, hounds," he rides -away, having scored one most emphatically. - -At this juncture Sir John, having pulled out his watch, gives the -signal, and away they trot to the first draw, which unfortunately proves -a blank, as does the next, whereat Tom's soul waxeth wroth, and for five -minutes the vengeance of the gods is called down on the "stinking -violets," and other articles which in his opinion militate against the -scent. - -The third essay seems likely for a long time to be as unproductive as -the two former, when suddenly a whimper from Ranter, backed up by -Harbinger, sends a thrill through the veins of the eager field. - -Tom is all life in a moment, and his "'Ave at 'im. Eugh, 'ave at 'im! -Eugh, boys!" rings out clear and shrill. - -Not so shrill, though, as Charles's "Tally-ho! gone awa-a-y! awa-a-a-y!" -which comes pealing through the trees from the bottom end, while the -pack, catching it up, ring out a chorus that would waken the dead. - -"Hounds, please, hounds! Hold hard, gentlemen!" roars Sir John to some -of the too enthusiastic fire-eaters as they gallop down the squashy -ride, vainly endeavouring to get ahead of Tom, who, with white hair -flying in the breeze, is vigorously cheering his hounds on to the line, -occasionally giving them a chink of music to dance to. - -At last the wood is cleared, and the pack are streaming over the grass. -Nearly everybody has got a good start, and each man, knowing it is his -last day, rides his best. - -Mrs. Talford, as usual, is going along to the fore, second to none; and -Mr. Halston is determined that if the "fat bulls" do cross the line, he -at all events will be well enough up to note the exact spot where the -catastrophe occurred. - -Falls are plentiful, for the pace is hot, and the weather being of the -same temperature, horses are soon, as Tom says, "all a muck o' sweat," -and find the fencing no light matter. - -However, "For'ard on" they race, and for five-and-thirty minutes without -a check, till they throw up suddenly by a thick ivy-grown hedge. - -"By Guy," says Tom, as he makes his cast and mops his face with a large -red silk bandana, "by Guy, it's warm, and no mistak'." Then after a bit, -as the hounds seem quite at sea: "Dashed if the varmint 'ain't melted." - -Not quite. He has only run the hedge right along the top of the ivy till -he came to the cross-fence, and then jumping down has set his head -straight for Woodborough; and Minstrel, casting on his own account, hits -off the spot where he landed on terra-firma, and in loud tones -proclaims it to the world in general and his companions in particular. - -At it again they are in a crack, and the welcome check having allowed a -chance of getting "second wind," the field are all well up and as merry -as crickets. Soon, however, the pace begins to tell, and the "tailing" -is terrible; as they go on each successive ditch holds a victim, and the -flyers of the hunt are all forced to take a pull. - -The best of the horses are beginning to sob, and old Tom has serious -misgivings about having to finish the run afoot. But it's a long lane -that has no turning, and two fields ahead the fox is seen crawling along -dead beat. The hounds run from scent to view, then comes a last final -rush. - -A confused mass, a worry, and then Tom's "Who-whoop! who-whoop!" is -heard a mile back, and tells those struggling in the wake that the -gallant pack have run into their fox, and that the Bullshire hounds -have finished their season with a rattling run ending in a kill. - -As the word "Home" is given by Sir John, and old Tom rides off amid the -congratulations of all who have managed to get to the end, he casts a -look of pride at his darlings clustered round him, and mutters: "Ay, bad -luck to it; it's 'Who-whoop' till next season." - - - - -THE FIRST OF THE SEASON. - - - Old friends are all meeting and gathered together - In batches, discussing the crops and the weather; - It has been a hard struggle for some with the rent, - But their troubles grow light as the talk turns on scent. - - The landlord and tenant, the farmer and squire, - Have all had to suffer and pocket their ire, - At the sun's fitful gleam and the rain's ceaseless pour; - But they meet in good fellowship round the inn-door. - - Their thoughts are all bent upon horses and hounds, - For shortly the covert will echo with sounds, - As the eager pack top the wood-fence with a crash, - The young entry all bustle and brimful of dash. - - Now see to your girths if you mean to be there. - Old Tom looks like business; his hand's in the air. - A whimper--a chorus--hark, holloa! they've found, - And his old mare pops over the rails with a bound. - - Away fling that weed, catch your horse by the head, - He's young, and he's hot, but he's clean thoroughbred; - Don't rush at the timber or else you'll be down. - Let him see what's before him--he'll jump o'er a town. - - They are over the brook, which is bankful, I swear; - See, yonder they go with their sterns in the air. - There's young Flyaway in, and, by Jove, what a cropper! - Ah, the others won't have it--I thought 'twas a stopper. - - Thank goodness, they're checked by that herd of Scotch kine. - But, hark for'ard, old Minstrel has hit off the line. - There'll be "bellows to mend" if this goes on, I fear, - For the pace is too hot for the first of the year. - - Down the meadow--they view--see the hounds how they tear! - They have him! Who-whoop! And the field are all--where? - Here we come. Scarce a coat but betokens a fall, - But who-whoop! what a cracker to open the ball! - - -MORAL. - - - Fox-hunting and fellowship go hand in hand, - And a true sporting mind by a friend's sure to stand; - So let each drain a bumper nor think it high treason - To follow The Queen with "The First of the Season." - - The bond of good feeling is found in the field; - As the Squire meets the Farmer the compact is sealed. - And each vows, as the moments flit merrily by, - The world has no music like hounds in full cry. - - - - -UNCLE JOHN'S NEW HORSE. - - -A letter I found on my table, addressed to Edward Milford, Esq., Duke -Street, St. James's, which, being my name and address, I took the -liberty of opening, reminded me of the fact that I was engaged to my -uncle for the Christmas holidays. - -It ran as follows: - - - "The Grange, Slopton. - - "MY BOY, - - "You are booked to us for Christmas, so don't fail. It is to be ten - days this time, and no telegram 'on important business' to call you - away, as, if I remember right, was the case on your last visit. - There are many attractions here, or will be by the time you arrive. - First, myself; secondly, a new horse, which you will have the - pleasure of trying for me; and, thirdly, your cousin Grace. There - are a few pheasants, and, besides, some of the old port. You will - find a hearty welcome from your affectionate - - "UNCLE JOHN." - - -Uncle John (whose surname was Dawson) was the sole surviving relation -from whom I had any expectations. He was my mother's brother, and on the -death of both my parents had been left my guardian. He had never -married; but about the same time that he undertook to train me in the -path in which I should go, he had adopted the orphan child of his -brother, and it was almost an understood thing that his property would, -at his demise, be equally divided between myself and Grace Dawson, the -lady referred to in his letter as cousin Grace. - -A thorough sportsman of the old school, whose creed lay in horse, -hound, and hospitality, he made The Grange as pleasant a place to stop -at as one could well find. But there was (as there is in every -enjoyment) one drawback--to me at least--and that lay in the "new -horse." - -My worthy uncle, excellent rider as he was, happened to be the worst -judge of a horse in the world, and was always picking up wonderful -bargains which, unfortunately, he insisted on my trying for him. How it -is that I have hitherto escaped with an unbroken neck I cannot say; for -there is scarcely any circus-rider in the United Kingdom who dare lay -claim to more double somersaults, and I might almost say that I am an -expert at flying in all its branches. - -However, nothing venture nothing have; and I was not going to quarrel -with Uncle John through any fear of Uncle John's new horse, besides the -attraction of cousin Grace. So I sent an answer accepting the -invitation, and giving the train by which I should arrive. - -It was a cold cheerless afternoon when, having wrapped myself up in my -railway-rug, I selected a regalia reina and proceeded to settle myself -in the space allotted to me by a magnanimous railway company in a -smoking carriage attached to the 3.50 P.M. to Slopton. - -There are three things that, when travelling, invariably strike me as -peculiar; and which I am forced to put down either to the perversity of -human nature or the desire not to give too much comfort for the money. - -First: Why is it that the examination of tickets never takes place until -nearly the last moment, when one is well wrapped up and settled--the -finding of the required piece of cardboard entailing an undoing of the -whole arrangement, a search through an infinity of pockets, a loss of -temper, a letting in of much cold air, and, to wind up, the almost -positive certainty that, having worked oneself into a fever because the -blessed article is not forthcoming, one suddenly remembers that, with a -chuckle at one's own 'cuteness and in order not to be disturbed, it had -been slipped into the band of one's hat, where it had been staring an -idiotic examiner in the face for fully five minutes, he pretending all -the while not to have seen it? - -Secondly: Why, just as you have recovered from the effects of the -official visit and have rearranged yourself with, perhaps, your feet on -the opposite cushion, if the door opens and another passenger gets in, -should he be certain to choose the very seat where you have deposited -your legs, notwithstanding that there may be three or four other vacant -places, and that by sitting opposite he inflicts the maximum of -discomfort on both? - -Thirdly: Why is it that the carriages are built with a projection, -whereupon you are supposed to recline your head if disposed to sleep, -but to effect which purpose you must perforce sit bolt upright, the said -projection invariably being, for ordinary mortals, some four inches too -high? - -And why, if either you yourself or your next-door neighbour, neglect to -assume the rigid and perpendicular position necessary, but venture to -fall asleep in a more comfortable posture, should it be very long odds -that you find yourself reposing peacefully on his shirt-front, or -vice-versa? - -Before I had arrived at any solution of these phenomena, the train ran -into Crosby Junction, and, together with a foot-warmer--which, so far as -I could make out, was filled with cold water--there entered a portly -individual, whose vocation was plainly stamped on his garments--to wit, -a horse-dealer. - -After the lapse of a few minutes, during which time the portly one kept -the door open, he was joined by another member of the fraternity, who, -from the likeness between them, was evidently his son. After we had -started again, the father began the conversation by saying to his son: -"Jim, I wonder how the old gent likes his horse," at which the youth -allowed a smile to steal over his face, and remarked sententiously: -"Lucky you got the money down, dad." - -Who, I wondered, was the old gent? Somebody else's "Uncle John" perhaps, -I thought, and began to reflect on the possibility of his having a -nephew to risk his neck over doubtful purchases. I felt a curiosity on -the subject, as I knew most of the inhabitants of the country we were -approaching, and made up my mind to try and find out. - -So turning to the elder I said: "I see, sir" (it is always "Sir" in a -first-class, "Mister" in a second, and "Mayster" in a third, I have -noticed), "that you know something about horses, and, being a stranger -in this country, I should be extremely glad if you could tell me where I -am likely to pick up a couple or three at a reasonable price. I have a -commission to buy three hunters for a friend in London, and am going -down to a place called The Grange, to look at one belonging to a -Mr.--Dawson I think is the name; but I should be glad to hear of two -others. By-the-way, do you know what sort of cattle Mr. Dawson keeps?" - -As I concluded my speech, which I thought decidedly artful, I saw father -and son exchange significant glances, and then my portly friend replied: - -"Well, sir, you've come to the right shop for what you want. I have -three of the very best you ever clapped your eyes on. If you will favour -me with a call to-morrow or the next day we might do business. Though I -must tell you that I am a one-price man, and keep none but the best. -Perhaps, sir, you would take my card," and he presented for my -inspection a highly-glazed piece of pasteboard, whereon was imprinted - - +-----------------------------------+ - | | - | JOSIAH BELL & SON, | - | COMMISSION STABLES, | - | _102, Bridge Street, | - | Muxford_. | - | | - | _Hacks, Hunters, Harness._ | - +-----------------------------------+ - -When he saw that I had digested the contents and had transferred the -card to my pocket, he continued in a more confidential tone: "I'll give -you a little bit of advice, sir. Don't be too sweet on Mr. Dawson's -horse; I know he has one for sale which he bought up in town, a rare -good 'un to look at, but a regular beast. If he takes it into his head -he will do nothing but stand still and kick, and if he can't shift you -at that he'll lie down and roll. Poor old gentleman, he was awful took -in over it! He should have come to me. You can't mistake the 'oss, it's -a big upstanding bay with a white stocking on the near fore. But here's -Muxford, so I'll wish you good-day, and 'opes to see you to-morrow or -the next day. If I ain't at home my son here will show you the nags;" -and he got down. - -Just before the train moved on again, however, he came to the window and -said, "Don't you buy the bay 'oss on no account." - -It was not hard to put, in this instance, two and two together, and when -we arrived at Slopton I had quite made up my mind where the "new horse" -had been bought. On getting out of the train I was nearly deposited -under the wheels by a vigorous slap, administered in the centre of my -back, coupled with the remark: "Why, my lad, you look like a Polar bear -in that ulster. It isn't cold. How are you?" - -Having recovered my equilibrium, I turned round and encountered the -jovial face of Uncle John, whose nose, however, belied his speech anent -the weather, for it was glistening red, like the sun through a London -fog. - -"I'm all right, uncle," I replied; "I can see you are. How are they all -at The Grange?" - -"Fit as fiddles," responded my guardian. "Grace is outside in the -carriage, so get your traps together and let's be off. By-the-bye, I -have such a grand new horse for you to try. You shall ride him on -Tuesday, when the hounds meet at Abbot's Hill. A big upstanding bay; -such a beauty! Got him dirt cheap; but there, I'll tell you all about -him when we get home." - -"Has he got a white stocking on the near fore?" I asked. - -"Yes; how the deuce did you know, I wonder?" queried my uncle. "But look -sharp with those things: you take as long collecting your traps as a fox -does to leave a big wood." - -"Alas, poor me!" I thought. "It is Mr. Bell's horse;" and I went out to -see cousin Grace with anything but a feeling of "pleasures to come." The -sight of her dear face and the warmth of her greeting, however, soon -made me forget all about the white stocking, and the journey home was -passed in questions asked and answers given. She told me that on the -morrow the remainder of the party were expected down, among them old -Lady Ventnor and her son Lord Ventnor, a young gentleman who gave -himself considerable airs on the strength of his title, and for whom I -had an intense dislike, owing perhaps in a great measure to an idea that -he had designs on Grace's affections, which, although I had never -hinted a word of love to her, caused me more uneasiness than I liked to -say. - -As a set-off against this (to me) obnoxious element, my old -school-fellow and almost brother, Jack Fisher, was already in the house, -together with his sister, who was A1 whether across country or in a -ball-room, and the life and soul of any house she might be staying in. - -Old "young ladies" no doubt used to shake their heads and say, in their -jealousy, that she was "so fast;" but a better girl, in every sense of -the word, than Lettie Fisher did not exist, despite her boisterous -spirits and reckless daring. - -Naturally when we arrived at The Grange Jack and I had lots to talk -over--old days, old sayings, and old friends; and in the smoking-room, -when Uncle John, seated in his favourite armchair, with a long -churchwarden, fast colouring from constant usage, in his hand, -endeavoured to inflict on us a detailed description of the big -upstanding bay, we simply refused to listen to him, and I told him I -would prefer to form my judgment from actual experience. - -Next day the rest of the guests arrived, and I had the pleasure of -seeing young Ventnor doing his little best to ingratiate himself with my -cousin. I am afraid that my manner showed that something was wrong, for -after dinner in the drawing-room Grace, having for a moment freed -herself from his lordship's attentions, came across to where I was -sitting moodily contemplating the piano, and said: - -"What is the matter, Ned? You look as cross as two sticks. Everyone will -think you have committed a murder if you go on staring into vacancy. -Ventnor says you would make a beautiful Hamlet." - -"Very likely," I retorted. "I was just then thinking with the Prince of -Denmark that some of Nature's journeymen had made men, and not made them -well, they imitated humanity so abominably. Tell Ventnor I am highly -flattered by his opinion of me as a representative of the Dane." - -Grace only raised her eyebrows and left me to my thoughts, which were -interrupted by the arrival of the butler, who informed Uncle John that -the stud-groom was waiting for orders about the morrow. - -My Uncle, who had gone to sleep over his paper and was still in the land -of dreams, astonished us all by saying: "No more, thanks; not a drop -more. Excellent claret, but no more, thank you." - -However, the roar of laughter thoroughly awoke him, and he proceeded to -tell us off to our respective mounts. Of course it fell to my lot to -ride the "new horse." Ventnor had brought his nags with him. Jack and -his sister were to ride The Drake and Topthorn, two of the best hunters -in the country, while Grace had her own mare Kitty, Uncle John reserving -to himself his favourite animal Corkscrew, so called from his ability to -bore through any bullfinch in the world. - -Having arranged these matters, candles were lighted and we all -retired--the ladies to bed and the men to the land of tobacco and long -tumblers. - -"Are you nearly ready, Ned? It's a a lovely day," said Jack, as he -rushed into my room on the following morning to borrow a razor (Jack had -a way of borrowing razors, and a most inconvenient habit of forgetting -to return them). "Tell you what it is, if I were you I should take -plenty of sticking-plaster in my pocket, and, if you have any, a bandage -or two, for James (the footman) has been gratifying me with an account -of your mount for to-day. He says no one can ride the beast if it takes -it into its head to be obstinate, and that it has nearly reduced one of -the helpers to a wafer by going down with him at exercise and rolling -over with him." - -"Well," I replied, "you are a nice sort of Job's comforter. Here, drop -it," as Jack seized my razor. "Do, for goodness' sake, go and get one of -Ventnor's." - -But he turned a deaf ear, and, making good his retreat, left me to -struggle into my boots, and reflect on the pleasures of the chase before -me. - -When I arrived downstairs I found everyone assembled at breakfast in -full hunting fig, and Uncle John sticking up for his new purchase, -utterly refusing to believe Jack's history of the brute's manners. - -"Ah Ned," said he, as I entered the room, "they are all trying to put me -out of conceit with my nag, but you will show them a different story; -even if he is a little awkward--which, mind you, boy, I don't -believe--he will find his master to-day, eh?" - -"Ladies and gentlemen," said the incorrigible Jack, rising, "I venture -to propose a toast, with which I am sure you will all agree--ahem! The -toast is that of my esteemed friend Mr. Edward Milford, who is about to -be created Master of the Rolls." - -Shouts of laughter greeted this sally from all except Grace, who -remarked: "I think it is a great shame to chaff my cousin, and if there -is any accident you will all be sorry." - -I thanked the dear girl by a look, and turned my attention to -pigeon-pie, ignoring Ventnor's question as to "Whether I did not feel -too nervous to eat?" - -Ten o'clock saw us under weigh, and strangely enough the big upstanding -bay was on his best behaviour, and walked along by the side of Kitty -most sedately--a circumstance which Ventnor, who hoped to monopolise -Grace, did not seem particularly thankful for. - -Arriving at the meet in good time, I found myself in the midst of a host -of old friends, who admired my horse, and said he looked all over like -going. The first draw from Abbots Hill was a cover called "The Rough," -and it was noted for being a very nasty one to get a start from, as -there were only two ways to choose, either through a boggy hunting -gateway at the corner, which was always kept closed until the fox was -away, or over a rasping great fence, with a ditch fully ten feet broad -on the far side, which was, to say the least of it, not an inviting -object to commence with. - -Knowing the topography of the land, I slipped down to the gate as the -hounds were thrown in, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing a fine -old fox steal away and make across the long grass-field on the other -side of "The Rough." Giving him a few moments to make good his -departure, I holloed, and down came the whole field pounding away for -the gate. - -Directly my uncle's steed heard them coming he began his tricks by -shooting up straight on end. A crack between the ears with my crop, and -a gentle reminder of both spurs as he came down fully roused his temper, -and, placing himself across the gateway, he started to kick in a way I -should never have believed possible. With his head (notwithstanding all -I could do) nearly touching the ground, he pirouetted round in a circle, -lashing out viciously the whole time, and rendering it perfectly -impossible for anyone to pass. - -A few adventurous spirits charged the fence, but the majority of the -field were kept back, and seeing that hounds were running hard with a -burning scent, blessings (or the reverse) fell fast and thick on my -devoted head. - -At last, after I had thrashed him till my arm ached, and tried -everything I could think of to induce him to shift his ground, the brute -played his trump card, and down he went as if he had been shot, rolling -over into the ditch, where he lay, and sending me flying well into the -middle of the boggiest place, but fortunately clear of himself, so that -I escaped without personal injury. - -Covered with mud, and my hat squashed flat, I presented a pretty picture -as I picked myself up and scrambled out of the way to allow the more -fortunate sportsmen a means of egress, which they were not slow to take -advantage of. - -Grace, riding through, pulled up on the other side, and asked me, with -some concern, if I was hurt. - -"Not a bit," I said; "go on, I am all right, only take care of -yourself." - -"Don't get on that brute's back again, dear boy," shouted Uncle John. -"It has frightened me out of my life. I thought you were going to be -killed." - -"Never mind me, Uncle, you will lose the hounds if you wait here; get -for'ard and see after Grace; I will get this beast home," I replied; -and, beckoning to two labourers who were standing gazing at the -prostrate form of the "upstanding" one, I sent for a cart-horse and -ropes, and we soon had him out of the ditch and standing, thoroughly -subdued, in the field. - -The saddletree I found smashed, and the stirrup-iron crumpled up, so -there was no use in trying to go on. The horse was not damaged, luckily, -with the exception of some hair off; but I had to lead the brute four -miles home, and had had quite enough of it by the time I reached The -Grange. - -"Good Lord, sir, you are in a mess!" remarked the stud-groom; "I was -afraid there would be summat happen. He is a nasty one; why, I rode him -myself the other mornin' into the village, and he played me the very -identical caper, just before you come to the bridge. He wouldn't pass -that there duck-pond by the pub., and when he went down, as near as a -toucher put me into the water. The lads do tell me as nothing will make -him go by there now. Ah, master should a listened to me, and not go -a-buying nags from a pair of copers like them Bells of Muxford." - -"Oh," I said, "he came from Bell's, did he? I thought so;" and I -recounted my conversation in the train. - -When the rest returned of course they had had a capital day, and I (as -is usual in these cases) had to stand the brunt of many condolences and -much sympathy with my bad luck. I bore it for some time, but a climax -came at dinner. Everybody, Uncle John included, had been vilifying the -new purchase, when young Ventnor broke in with affected drawl, saying: -"Ah, yes, but a fellah, you know, should not ride such a horse unless he -knows how to prevent him rolling. It ain't safe--ah--you know." - -Grace flew up in arms in a moment, and, with her eyes flashing with -anger, said: "I do not believe, Lord Ventnor, that you or any man could -have prevented the horse rolling. My cousin Ned can ride as well as most -men, and" (here came the unkindest cut of all) "anyhow I do not think -_he_ would have turned away from Cleasby brook." - -Then, catching my eye, she stopped short, and blushing crimson betrayed -her secret, for I knew in that moment that she cared for me, and that I -had nothing to fear from fifty Ventnors. - -Uncle John, seeing how the land lay, said: "Well, Ventnor, if you are so -confident that my nephew ought to have done better you shall have a -chance of showing him how, for you shall ride the horse to-morrow if you -like." - -Ventnor was about to reply, when Grace gave the signal for the ladies to -retire, and as soon as they had gone and we had drawn round the fire, -Jack turned to his lordship and spoke up as follows: - -"If you ride the bay to-morrow, I'll bet you ten sovereigns he puts you -down." - -"Oh yes, I'll--ah--ride him, and take your bet, Fisher," replied -Ventnor. - -"I'll do more than that," said I; "I'll lay you fifty pounds to thirty -that you do not ride from this door to the village and back in half an -hour; it's under a mile, so you have ample time." - -"Ah--done," quoth the young gentleman; and the bets were promptly -booked, the time being fixed for the start at 10 A.M. - -Next morning everybody, from my Uncle down to the boy who cleaned the -knives, turned out to see Lord Ventnor give me a lesson in riding. -Jack, Lettie, and Grace I had let into the secret of the duck-pond, and -thither we repaired to see the fun. In a few moments along the road came -Ventnor with a sort of I-told-you-how-it-would-be smile on his face. - -A snort--a full stop--down went the bay's head, and up went his heels. - -"Mind he doesn't roll with you, or it will cost you forty pounds," -shouted Jack, and "Look out, man," as the animal's forelegs began to -tremble. - -Nearer and nearer the pond they got, when all of a sudden down dropped -the new horse, Ventnor jumping off as he fell; but unfortunately for -himself he caught his near spur in the saddle as the animal turned over, -and with an "Oh!" from the two girls, we saw him disappear head first -into the pond, while the "white stocking" made tracks homeward as hard -as he could go. - -"My dear sir," said Jack, as we pulled the dripping lord out of the -pond, "a fellah, you know, should not ride unless he knows how to -prevent a horse rolling; it isn't safe, you know." - -This was too much for both Grace and Lettie, and they were forced to -retire in order to hide their laughter. Ventnor was so angry that he -would not speak, and he paid us our money with a very bad grace the same -evening. However, it taught him a lesson that it will take him years to -forget. - -I told Uncle John after this of my meeting in the train with the Messrs. -Bell, and he decided at once to send the brute up to Aldridge's, where -the fine upstanding bay fetched exactly twenty-five guineas, and was -dear at that. - -On Christmas Eve I ventured to ask Grace for a Christmas present, to -wit, herself, and as Jack, who was my best man, said at the wedding -breakfast: "Though the mount was not a pleasant one, still as it was -instrumental in obtaining for me my wife, I had no right to be too hard -on Uncle John's New Horse." - - - - -THE HOG-BACKED STILE. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - -COMING EVENTS. - - -Towards the middle of December, 1878, a dog-cart might have been seen -standing outside the small station of Newcome, in Slopshire. There was -nothing particularly remarkable about the turn-out--a goodish-looking -animal in the shafts and a certain air of neatness stamped it as -belonging to a gentleman, but beyond that there was no particular -feature to attract attention. No gaudy red wheels, nothing dazzling in -the way of "picking out;" simply an ordinary dog-cart, which had come -down from Belton Hall to meet the 5.35 train from London. - -Belton Hall, an old Elizabethan mansion, belonged to the Vivians, was -inhabited by Colonel George Vivian and his daughter Mildred, and they -were expecting two visitors, who had been asked to the Hall for -Christmas and hunting--one, Jack Vivian, the Colonel's nephew; the -other, a Mr. Thomas Simpson, who was known to the world in general to be -following that calling which covers a multitude of sins, which means so -much yet expresses so little, viz. "something in the City." - -Colonel Vivian was as keen a sportsman and as good a man to hounds as -there was in Slopshire, and his daughter followed closely in his -footsteps--too closely sometimes, for on one occasion, when the Colonel -came down at a stiffish stake-and-bound fence, Mildred, unable to stop -in time, jumped right on the top of him, her horse's near hind-foot -going slap through the crown of his new hat, which luckily did not at -the moment contain her father's head. - -Belton was therefore a certain find, and the Master, knowing this, -always had a fixture there in the Christmas week. - -Both Mildred and her father were too apt to gauge a man by his powers of -getting over a country, and woe betide any unfortunate individual who -had been seen to exhibit any--well, I will say hesitation--when hounds -were running. If he happened to be staying at the Hall, he was chaffed -most unmercifully, and under any other circumstances he was immediately -set down in the mental tablets of the Vivians as a man who was not worth -knowing. - -There was but little fear of Jack not coming up to the mark in the way -of riding, for, born and brought up in the country, his first -recollections were associated with hounds, and his earliest lessons -comprised "the run of a fox." Of late years he had not been able to hunt -as much as he would have liked, for there were two fatal objections in -his way--want of time and want of money. - -Jack Vivian was a barrister, and a hard-working one withal. He had got -his foot on the second rung of the ladder of success and meant going -upwards; therefore he had little time for play, and but a small balance -of spare cash; so it was only now and again that he could snatch a brief -holiday, and, finding neck and spurs against a friend's horse, engage in -his favourite pursuit. Notwithstanding this, there were few men who -would care to back themselves against Jack across country, and there was -probably not one (old Jim the Huntsman excepted) who knew more about a -fox or what hounds were doing. - -Mr. Simpson, on the other hand, was rolling in wealth, and as his -"something in the City" did not occupy much of his time, he tried in -every way to assume the appearance of a country gentleman, and to be -considered a modern Nimrod. - -Somehow, though, his three hundred-guinea hunters did not carry Mr. -Simpson to the end, and it was marvellous the extraordinary and -unforeseen obstacles that had prevented his appearance at the death. - -Rivers suddenly had sprung up where none had been known before, and -six-foot posts and rails, with broad double ditches, had caused Mr. -Simpson alone to tarry on his course. In other words he was an arrant -"funk," though of course he would not have acknowledged the soft -impeachment. - -It was, as you may think, very odd that such a man should be the guest -of so ardent a sportsman as the owner of Belton, but it happened thus. -The previous year the Colonel and his daughter were staying in -Leicestershire, and at a friend's house they met Mr. Simpson. So taken -up with admiring his horses was the Colonel that he either omitted to -look at the owner, or else invested him with a halo which was the -overflow of the equine worship. - -Besides, open house, hunters five days a week for himself and daughter, -and a large establishment, were not to be maintained for nothing; and -the Colonel, in the matter of £ s. d., was a remarkably practical man, -and had no objection to the possibility of a rich son-in-law, even -though he might be "in the City." - -Therefore, for Christmas week, Simpson and his horses were offered bed -and board at Belton; and already, in his own mind, had Mr. S. drawn up a -deed of partnership, with Miss Vivian as the Co., for he had been -completely knocked out of time at the first sight of Mildred, and had -fallen head over ears in--what he was pleased to call--love. What his -chances of success were may be gathered from the following conversation, -which took place in the drawing-room after the dog-cart had gone down to -the station. - -Mildred--it was a non-hunting day--was seated in a low easy-chair, -occupied with five-o'clock tea, and by her side, on a cushion, reclined -her cousin Ethel, a young girl of sixteen, while opposite was the Rev. -Mr. Wilton, the clergyman of the place--one of the old school of -sporting parsons, who was good for a fast twenty minutes either in the -field or the pulpit; and though he had, for fifty odd years, hunted -regularly four days a-week, there was not a man, woman, or child in the -parish whose every trouble was not known to him, and there was not one -of them who would not willingly have given up everything to help their -idol, "t' owd parson." - -With his back to the fire stood the Colonel, engaged in conversation -with Florence Wingfield, sister to the expected Jack. She was staying in -the house with her husband, Captain Tom Wingfield, of the 23rd Hussars, -who at this moment was trying a new purchase by riding over to the -kennels, some ten miles away. - -"Which room has Mr. Simpson got, Milly?" said the Colonel suddenly. - -"The best bachelor's room, papa," replied the young lady; "I put him -there because I thought the gorgeous pattern of the new carpet you chose -would suit his taste, and I have hung up some of those old sporting -prints for him to take a lesson from." - -"And what room has Jack got?" continued the Colonel, not best pleased at -the impression his intended guest had produced on his daughter. - -"Oh, dear old Jack has, of course, his own room. Florence arranged it -just as it used to be, and before tea came I saw the fire was all -right." - -"I suppose you did not happen to see if Mr. Simpson's fire was all -right, Mildred?" said Mr. Wilton, with a sly twinkle in his eye. - -"No; Ethel did that," she replied, laughing; "besides, with that red -face he can't be cold." - -"Milly, never judge by appearances," interrupted Mrs. Wingfield, who -saw by her uncle's face that the conversation was not particularly -agreeable to him. Woman-like, she had read him like a book; and, though -willing to keep the peace, she had long ago made up her mind that -Mildred was to be her brother's wife or an old maid--_aut Cæsar aut -nihil_; and having settled this, she set herself down to carry out her -plans. - -"Who is talking about judging by appearances?" put in a manly voice, as -Tom Wingfield, somewhat muddy of coat, walked into the room. - -"I was," said his wife. "I was telling Milly not to judge by -appearances, for I thought you a nice fellow once, and--ahem!--I was -taken in by your appearance." - -"All right, Mrs. Impudence," retorted Tom; "no hunting for you. I -thought I had two beautiful ladies' hunters, but I was deceived by -appearances. Anyhow, let me have a cup of tea. I have given my new nag a -lesson he won't forget. He refused that fence out of the road by the -windmill, and put me down twice; then tried to bolt for Paradise Hill, -but after a fight we got on terms, and he goes like an angel now." - -"I must make a note of that, Wingfield," interrupted Mr. Wilton. "It is -a curious coincidence of an animal being stopped on its way to Paradise, -yet suddenly becoming an angel." - -"Capital text for next Sunday, Wilton," said the Colonel. "But hark! I -hear the dog-cart, and here they come round the corner of the drive." - -"Oh Lord!" ejaculates Tom; "can anyone tell me how gray shirtings are? -Must talk to a man who is in the City about shirtings or backwardations, -you know. I'll ask Jack what he gave for his flannel shirts." - -Amid the shouts of laughter which followed this sally the door opened, -and the butler announced: "Mr. Simpson and Master Jack." - - - - -CHAPTER II. - -OF THE CITY CIVIC. - - -"Delighted to see you, Mr. Simpson," said the Colonel, taking that -gentleman's somewhat flabby hand, and introducing him to the others in -turn. "Ah Jack, my boy, how are you? I have such a horse for you; but no -spurs allowed, mind." - -"All right, uncle," replied Jack, coming to the fire; "I'll remember. -But how are you all? Florence, you are getting most abominably fat. Why, -Milly, ain't you going to say How do you do to me?--not that way," as -Mildred put out her hand. "I ask you, is that the way to welcome your -long-lost cousin? Come to my arms"--a proceeding that he promptly tried -to put into force, and had he not stumbled head over heels over Ethel, -who from her position on the ground he had not noticed, would have -succeeded in his endeavour. - -As it was, like a drowning man, he clutched at the first thing that came -to hand, which, happening to be Simpson's coat-tail, brought that worthy -gentleman down with him, and cut short the polite little speech he was -about to address to Mildred. - -It was rather hard lines on the unfortunate individual, for all the way -down in the train he had been (when Jack's eye was not upon him) -rehearsing it, and now it was lost for ever. - -"I beg your ten thousand pardons, Simpson," said Jack, struggling to his -feet. "Why, it's Ethel. What on earth do you go and curl yourself up -like a fox-terrier on the hearthrug for, and make people do these -pantomime tricks over you? You nearly were the death of two of Her -Majesty's most esteemed subjects." - -"Heavy fall in shirtings," whispered the irrepressible Tom to Mildred, -who was obliged to go out of the room, ostensibly to see the -housekeeper, but in reality to hide her laughter. - -"Not hurt, I hope?" asked the Colonel. - -"No--ah--Colonel Vivian, I thank you; but I must apologise to Miss -Vivian. It must have astonished her. Ah, she is gone," said Simpson, who -was, if possible, of a more rosy hue than ever. - -"Oh, Mildred's all right," put in Jack; "it's not the first time she has -seen a man down by many a hundred, nor will it be the last if hounds run -to-morrow. Which is my room, uncle? I'll show Simpson his too. It's -nearly time to dress." - -"You are in your old quarters, Jack, and Mr. Simpson is in the -bachelor's room, which, I hope, he will find comfortable," said his -uncle. - -"Come on then, Simpson; I'll take you to your diggings, and then I'll go -and see Phillips the stud-groom, and tell him to show your man where to -put himself and his horses too," continued Jack, and out they went. - -"What a ridiculous _contretemps_!" said Florence as the door closed. "I -never saw anything half so funny as Mr. Simpson's face. My dear Ethel, I -thought I should have died." - -"I thought I should have been smothered," replied Ethel. "I shall never -be able to look Mr. Simpson in the face again." - -Mr. Wilton, who had hitherto been a silent spectator, here interrupted -with "I am afraid the gentleman is not in the same happy state as -Wingfield's horse, for I distinctly heard him as he fell utter a most -unangelic word beginning with a D." - -"A falling angel can't be particular," said Tom. "What do you say, -Colonel?" - -"I say that it's very wrong of you to make fun of our guest, and that if -you don't go to dress at once you will be all late for dinner;" with -which the master of the house walked out of the room followed by the -rest. - -At seven o'clock the whole party were reassembled in the drawing-room. -Mr. Simpson, in all the consciousness of a spotless shirt in which -blazed an elaborate diamond stud the size of a sixpenny piece, was -trying to make himself agreeable to Mildred, while Jack was in a deep -discussion with Tom and his uncle over the prospects of the season, and -listening to the accounts of past performances. "Dinner is served" from -the butler took them all into the dining-room, where they were soon hard -at what Tom called "trencher-work." - -"What horses have you brought, Mr. Simpson?" said the Colonel during the -pause after the soup. - -"Ah--two, Colonel Vivian. A bay mare I had last season, and a new horse -I bought from Ward the other day; a splendid fencer--nothing is too big -for him. Ah--I had to give four hundred for him though, so he ought to -be good," replied Simpson. - -"He ought indeed. I wish I could afford to give such prices," rejoined -the Colonel, on whose ear the statement of £ s. d. grated somewhat -harshly. "I advise you to ride him to-morrow; the hounds meet here, and -the keeper tells me there are a brace of foxes in the osiers, and if -they take the usual line it wants a good horse to live with them." - -Mr. Simpson's face did not express a vast amount of rapture at this, and -he almost wished he had not been quite so fulsome on the subject of his -new purchase. However, turning to Mildred, he said: "Miss Vivian--ah--I -suppose you follow the hounds to-morrow?" - -"Yes," replies Mildred; "I ride my favourite horse Birdcatcher, and I -hope we shall show you some sport." - -"Follow the hounds!" muttered Jack under his breath, who was getting -rather jealous of his fellow-traveller. "He did not suppose the hounds -would follow her, did he?" an idea that he imparted to Ethel, who was -next to him, and which seemed to amuse her mightily. "I believe the -fellow's a funk," he went on. "Anyhow, I'll draw him," and across the -table he said: "Simpson, is your nag good at water and timber, for the -Belton brook runs below the osiers, and there are one or two rather -awkward stiles to be negotiated?" - -"Oh yes. Ah--he is a first-rate water-jumper, and, I believe, very good -all round." - -"That's all right then; you will be cutting us all down," put in Tom; -whereat Simpson smiled a sickly and most unbecoming smile, by which he -meant to insinuate that he was going to try, and thought it extremely -probable that he would succeed, but which conveyed to everybody the -impression that he wished Belton brook and the stiles at the bottom of -the sea. - -Florence, who saw this, immediately proceeded to set his mind at rest by -telling a number of stories anent the difficulties of the country, and -the number of men that had come out in the morning in all the pride of -their scarlet, and had returned bemudded and besmirched after a visit to -the bottom of the brook, all of which anecdotes she referred to Mr. -Wilton for verification. - -After dinner Mr. Simpson made the running very strongly with Mildred, -much to Jack's disgust; and as he found that, do what he would, he was -unable to get a word in edgeways without having his eyes nearly put out -by the glitter of the City gentleman's diamond stud, he took refuge -behind the paper, which position, notwithstanding Mildred's glance of -entreaty, he maintained resolutely till the appearance of candles and -the Colonel's orders for the morning warned everybody that it was -bedtime. - -"Good-night, Jack, my boy," said his uncle, after the ladies had -retired. "I shan't come to the smoking-room to-night. Mind, breakfast at -nine sharp. I have ordered a real flyer for you to-morrow, and I want -you to keep up your reputation and show them the way, also to give an -eye to Milly. I can trust her with most horses, but Birdcatcher is, as -you know, an awkward customer if he gets his temper up. Mr. Simpson," -turning to his guest, "you will find everything in the smoking-room. -Jack and Tom will show you where it is. I am rather tired, and will wish -you good-night and good sport to-morrow." - -"Tom," said Jack to his brother-in-law, "you take Simpson to the den. -I'm off to bed; you will excuse my not coming. I've a bad headache, and -I want to look over a case I have in hand which is rather important. -Good-night, old man; good-night, Simpson;" and with that he retired, -muttering to himself: "How the deuce Uncle George could have invited -such a cad down here I can't think." - -On arriving in his room he found his sister waiting for him, and she -immediately commenced: "Dear old Jack, I knew you would not smoke -to-night, for I saw you were put out. You need not be afraid about Milly -and Mr. Simpson; she detests him. If Uncle George thinks she will ever -marry a man like that he is mistaken." - -"What's the odds, Florence," said Jack in a desponding tone; "it is no -use denying the fact that I am awfully fond of Milly, but what chance -have I, as poor as a church mouse, against a man rolling in wealth? And -even if she doesn't marry Simpson, some other rich son of a gun will be -after her, and it will break my heart to see her married. By-the-way, -how can uncle ever tolerate such a vulgarian as Simpson?" - -"'Money makes the mare to go,'" replied his sister; "and I fancy Uncle -George has been spending a little too much lately. But cheer up, Jack -dear; perhaps our old Indian will die, and leave you a heap of money. -Meanwhile, rely on me to keep off all intruders: 'Trespassers will be -prosecuted,' and all that sort of thing; spring-guns and the extreme -penalty of the law, you know." - -"Florence, you are a darling," said Jack, kissing her; "but you can't -kill the Nabob, and even a woman's wit can't keep Milly under lock and -key till your pauper brother makes enough money to enable him to see -papa in the study without feeling that he may be shown out of the door -by the butler." - -"_Si c'est possible c'est fait, si c'est impossible cela ce fera_," -laughed Florence, as she left her brother to think over what she had -said. - -The old Indian, Sandford by name, was the great hope of both Jack and -his sister. He was their mother's only brother, and though he had been -home but once in forty years, an event which occurred some nine years -back, he had on that occasion intimated that Jack was to be his heir, -and when driven to India by what he called "the cursed climate and -infernal fogs" of his native country, he had left a thousand pounds to -be used for Jack's advancement in life, and regularly every Christmas a -letter arrived from Simla to Jack, enclosing an order on Messrs. -Drummond for two hundred pounds, bearing the simple signature "John -Sandford." - -When his sister had gone Jack threw himself into a chair, and after -musing for some time tumbled into bed, and was soon dreaming of Milly, -the Nabob, and Simpson, all of whom were trying to catch an animal that -occasionally took the shape of Birdcatcher, and as often that of his -sister. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - -FLOOD AND FIELD. - - -"A southerly wind and a cloudy sky," sung loudly by his bedside, woke -Jack on the following morning, and, opening his eyes, he encountered -those of Tom Wingfield, who, as soon as he saw that he had effected his -purpose--to wit, waking Jack--said: "How's the head, old man? It's a -ripping fine morning; tumble up. Here's the shaving-water," as the -footman entered the room. "I've called Simpson. By Jove, what a bore -that man is! he told me last night exactly how much he had given for -everything he possessed. However, Phillips, whom I saw just now, says -his four hundred guineas worth looks a nailer, but I doubt if our -friend's heart is in the right place." - -"Heart be blowed!" growled Jack; "the only heart he knows of is the -heart of the City. Clear out, Tom, though; its late, and I shall never -be dressed in time for breakfast." - -However, he was, and as he entered the dining-room he thought he had -never seen Milly look so well as, in her well-fitting and workmanlike -habit, she dispensed the honours of the tea. - -Simpson was simply gorgeous, and evidently fancied himself considerably, -though as the clock marked the hour of ten and the first contingent -arrived, his rubicund features went many degrees paler at the thought of -Belton brook and his four-hundred-guinea hunter. - -Punctual to the minute the hounds arrived, and after a quarter of an -hour, during which time refreshment for man and horse was in full swing, -the signal to move off was given. - -"Mornin', Master Jack," said old Jim the Huntsman, as Jack came out of -the stable-yard, his mount bucking like an Australian. "I'm main glad to -see you wi' us again; we shall soon find summat to take the play out o' -you" (alluding to the horse). "If I mistake not, you mean a-showing 'em -what for, and I'm sure I hope you will." - -"Jim, you get younger every day. They tell me you are going to be -married again and give up hunting; is it true?" was Jack's reply. - -"Get along with you; you're no better than you used to be, Master Jack," -retorted the old man, who was fast nearing his seventieth year. - -At this moment the Colonel rode up, accompanied by Mildred and Mr. -Simpson, the latter, it must be confessed, looking far from comfortable. -"Jim," said he, "we will draw the osiers first, please, up-wind, and -send Williams" (the First Whip) "down to the corner. Mr. Wilton and -myself will stop by the gate and view him if he tries back. Mr. Talbot" -(the Master) "has gone on to the wood, and wished me to tell you." - -"Right, Colonel," replied the Huntsman, lifting his cap; and with a -"Coop, coome away!" he trotted off down to the bottom end, the hounds -clustering all round his horse. - -"This way, Milly," said Jack. "Come on, Simpson and Tom," and the -quartet established themselves out of sight at the top end of the -osier-bed. Presently old Jim was heard cheering his hounds, and a -whimper from old Solomon proclaimed the fox to be at home, as usual. - -"Eugh, at him!" cheered Jim, and as the whimper swelled into a chorus a -regular traveller slipped out close to Mr. Simpson, and headed straight -over the dreaded brook. - -"By gad, he's off!" said Jack, and "Gorne awa-a-y!" proclaimed his -departure to the expectant field. The hounds tumbled out of covert all -of a heap, and plunging into the brook in a body were away on the other -side in a trice, with a scent breast high. - -"Miss Vivian, for goodness' sake don't attempt the brook," implored -Simpson; "I will stop and look after you." - -But Mildred, vouchsafing him not so much as a look, caught the impatient -Birdcatcher by the head, and with Jack and Tom on either side the trio -rattled down at the water, which was negotiated with safety. - -"Bravo!" said Jack; "here comes Simpson;" and come he did, for his -perfect hunter was not made of the stuff to be left behind if he could -help it, and seeing his three companions careering away down the -opposite field, he, to use a nautical expression, "took charge," and, -before his rider knew what had happened, had landed him safely on the -other side of the obstacle. - -"Down the lane," said Jack to Mildred as they popped over the fence that -led out of the meadow; "it's straight for Boltby big wood. Here you -are, Jim," as the Huntsman came up to where the hounds had checked for a -moment in the lane; "they made it good as far as this. Hark for'ard! -Minstrel has it;" and away they went a cracker, turning sharp to the -right into some rolling grass-fields. - -By this time Mr. Simpson was beginning to pluck up his courage, and in -company with those who had not been so favoured at the start was going -fairly well. Ten minutes more brought them to the stiles that had been -the subject of discussion at dinner the previous evening, and -nasty-looking objects they were. The first was not so bad, but the -second was a regular teaser--hog-backed, with a yawning ditch, spanned -by a footboard on the far side. - -"Steady, Milly," said Tom, as Birdcatcher rushed at No. 1. - -"By gad, she'll be down if she goes at that pace," shouted Jack in an -agony, his horse, a young 'un, having refused. - -At this crisis Mr. Simpson appeared on the scene, the rest of the field -preferring the safer course down the lane. Tom managed the hog-back -successfully, and was too much occupied with the hounds, now racing a -field ahead, to think of Mildred, who had evidently got as much as she -could manage in the thoroughly-roused Birdcatcher. - -Jack's feelings can be better imagined than described as he saw Milly -rush at the stile and Birdcatcher turn a complete somersault, sending -his mistress flying, happily, some yards away from where he fell. - -"Come up, you brute," he yelled, driving his spurs home and fairly -lifting the astonished young 'un over both fences. Scarcely had he -landed over the hog-back than he was off his horse and kneeling by Milly -in a paroxysm of grief. - -"My darling child, are you hurt? My God, she's dead!" he cried, as he -tried to lift her. - -But she was only stunned for the moment, and to his ineffable joy Milly -opened her eyes and said: "It's all right, Jack; I'm not hurt. Catch my -horse and let's get on." - -The "Thank God" came from the bottom of his heart as he caught the two -nags and lifted her on; but the agonised expression on his face told -Mildred plainer than any words the "old old tale," and in her inmost -heart she blessed the fall for the revelation. - -The fox meanwhile, who had been headed by a labourer, turned short back, -and as they came round, about two fields above the spot where the -accident took place, everyone was much amused at the sight of Mr. -Simpson, who, unable to muster up courage to ride at the place, and -thinking that no one was likely to see him, had got off his horse, and -having promised a yokel a sovereign to catch him on the other side, was -doing his best, with the aid of his hunting-whip, to induce his four -hundred guineas' worth to take it by himself. No further mishap -occurred, and in half an hour, after running hard all the time, they -viewed and killed their fox in the open, Mr. Simpson arriving just as -the last morsel disappeared down old Solomon's throat. - -By this time Mildred was feeling the effects of her fall, and Simpson -was only too glad to offer to be her escort home; an opportunity which -he took advantage of to propose in due form, the effect of his -solicitations being somewhat marred by the aversion his horse displayed -to walking. - -"I'm very sorry, Mr. Simpson," said Mildred, in reply to his entreaties -that she would consent to be the "Co.," "I'm very sorry, but it can -never be." - -"There's some other fellow in the case; I _will_ know who. It's that -horrid cousin of yours," said the man of money with his innate -vulgarity, for he could not understand any girl refusing his gold. - -"Mr. Simpson, you have no right to speak to me like that; and seeing -that my cousin picked me up when I fell, while you were too much alarmed -for your own safety, _I_ have no reason to consider him horrid," was -Mildred's cutting reply, after which she refused to speak till they -arrived at the Hall. - -Whether it was the rebuff that he had received, or joy at finding -himself safe, I cannot say, but at dinner Simpson drank more than was -his custom, and was proportionately talkative and bombastic in -consequence, and towards the end he entertained the company with a -description of how he got over the most enormous places. - -"You--ah--see, my horse" (he called it "'orse"' now that the wine was -in) "refused that stile where Miss Vivian fell, and Mr. Ward told me it -was no use riding him at the same thing twice, so I had to look -out--ah--for another place. I saw there was nothing for it but the fence -at the side" (it was an overgrown blackthorn, with a six-feet post and -rails run through the middle), "and--ah--by Jove! my horse cleared it -without touching a twig--ah." - -"My word, Simpson, that was a jump--almost as big as the cow took when -it vaulted over the moon," said Tom. - -"Fact, sir, 'shure you," replied he of the City, when the butler came up -behind his chair and in an audible voice said: "I beg pardon, sir, but -there's a man downstairs who says you told him to call--says you -promised him a sovereign for catching your horse when you turned it over -the stile." - -It may have been rude, but the guilty look of Simpson and the utter -ludicrousness of the whole affair was too much, and everybody, including -the Colonel, fairly shrieked with laughter, during which Mr. Simpson -bowed himself out to see about this "tale of the sovereign," as he -called it. - -Later on the butler appeared a second time, bearing in his hand a yellow -envelope, which he handed to Jack. - -Opening it carelessly he read: "As agents to John Sandford, acquaint you -of his death. Yourself left sole heir. Telegraph instructions. Money and -securities, eighty thousand. Three large tea estates, besides other -property. Letter follows.--Kirkman and Co., Calcutta." - -I am afraid Jack's face did not express great sorrow for his deceased -uncle. Indeed, as he glanced across at Milly, a great look of joy came -into his eyes, and after dinner he found an opportunity to ask her a -question, receiving a very different answer to that vouchsafed to Mr. -Simpson. - -Christmas morning he interviewed "papa in the study" without fear of the -butler, and that evening the Colonel, with tears in his eyes, made a -long speech, wherein he gave his daughter to his favourite nephew, with -solemn injunctions to take care of her. - -Jack, in returning thanks, said he would do his best to see that she did -not break her neck; he had already had a turn he should never forget; -but as it was somewhat instrumental in helping him to gain Milly, he -begged to propose the health of The Hog-backed Stile. - -Simpson, when he saw the game was lost, turned out a much better fellow -than anyone gave him credit for, and Milly found on her table a pearl -necklace and a card, on which was written: "With T. Simpson's best -wishes and apologies for rudeness." - -Now, whenever he meets Jack and his wife, he tells them that the lesson -he got at Belton taught him that money and bluster were not everything -in this merry world of ours. - - -THE END. - - -CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Men We Meet in the Field, by A. G. 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G. Bagot - -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: Men We Meet in the Field - or, The Bullshire Hounds - -Author: A. G. Bagot - -Release Date: December 7, 2016 [EBook #53691] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD *** - - - - -Produced by Martin Pettit and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was -produced from images generously made available by The -Internet Archive) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class = "mynote"><p class="center">Transcriber's Note:<br /><br /> -The Erratum note has been applied to the text.<br /><br /> -Obvious typographic errors have been corrected.<br /></p></div> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><a name="cover.jpg" id="cover.jpg"></a><img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="cover" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD.</p> - -<hr /> - -<div class="center"><img src="images/i004.jpg" alt="Illustration" /></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[Pg ii]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">MEN WE MEET IN<br />THE FIELD.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above"><span class="smcap">By A. G. BAGOT</span> ("<span class="smcap">Bagatelle</span>").</p> - -<div class="center space-above"><img src="images/i005.jpg" alt="Illustration" /></div> - -<p class="bold space-above">1881.<br /> -TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND,<br />LONDON.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> - -<h1>MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD</h1> - -<p class="bold">OR</p> - -<p class="bold2">THE BULLSHIRE HOUNDS.</p> - -<p class="bold space-above"><span class="smcap">By A. G. BAGOT</span> ("<span class="smcap">Bagatelle</span>"),</p> - -<p class="bold">AUTHOR OF "SPORTING SKETCHES IN THREE CONTINENTS."</p> - -<p class="bold space-above">London:<br />TINSLEY BROTHERS, 8, CATHERINE STREET, STRAND.<br /> -1881.<br />[<i>All rights reserved.</i>]</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span></p> - -<p class="center">CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS,<br />CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span></p> - -<h2>PREFACE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The present series of Sketches in the Hunting Field have, from time to -time, appeared in the columns of <i>The Country Gentleman and Sporting -Gazette</i>, to the Editor of which journal I am indebted for leave to -reprint them. All, or nearly all, the characters I have endeavoured to -portray have come under my personal observation, and are from life; but -I have done my utmost to avoid depicting peculiarities that might serve -to identify my models, or using personalities that might offend them.</p> - -<p>In placing <span class="smcap">Men we Meet in the Field</span> before the public, beyond -acknowledging that I have perhaps not done full justice to the subject, -I offer no apology; for anything said or done, painted or written, that -serves in any way to call attention to our glorious old national sport, -or to recall perchance the scenes of our youth, is not done amiss. In -that it is one more stone, however humble, in the wall of defence which, -alas! it is now becoming necessary to build against the attacks of those -whose aim seems to be the demolition of all sport, dazzled as they are -by the glamour of notoriety, won by sensational legislation, at the -expense of all that has made England what she is, and her sons and -daughters what they are.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span></p><p>I do not for a moment wish to enter into political argument. In the -Field, Liberal and Conservative, Radical and Home-Ruler, meet as one, -save only in the struggle for the lead. But what I do hold is that, by -measures such as the Ground Game Bill and the Abolition of all Freedom -of Contract, our national sports are fast being blotted out, and that it -behoves all true sportsmen to array themselves against such things.</p> - -<p>Of the matter contained in the volume I am now sending on its way, -others must judge. I confess that I have enjoyed the writing of it. If I -am fortunate enough to find some at least who enjoy the reading I shall -be content, and shall feel I have not laboured in vain.</p> - -<p>To those who so kindly received my maiden venture, "Sporting Sketches" -(Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein, and Allen), I offer my best thanks. Like a -young hound who has not felt too much whipcord, encouragement has given -confidence. I can only hope I may not have flashed over the line.</p> - -<p class="right">THE AUTHOR.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span></p> - -<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<table summary="CONTENTS"> - <tr> - <td></td> - <td><span class="smaller">PAGE</span></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">INTRODUCTORY</td> - <td><a href="#Page_1">1</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE MASTER</td> - <td><a href="#Page_8">8</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE HUNTSMAN</td> - <td><a href="#Page_16">16</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE WHIPS</td> - <td><a href="#Page_26">26</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE SECRETARY</td> - <td><a href="#Page_35">35</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE FARMER</td> - <td><a href="#Page_46">46</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE PARSON</td> - <td><a href="#Page_58">58</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE DOCTOR</td> - <td><a href="#Page_72">72</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE DEALERS</td> - <td><a href="#Page_84">84</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE GRUMBLER</td> - <td><a href="#Page_98">98</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND RIDES</td> - <td><a href="#Page_113">113</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND DOES NOT RIDE</td> - <td><a href="#Page_126">126</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE SCHOOLBOYS</td> - <td><a href="#Page_139">139</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE BOASTER</td> - <td><a href="#Page_154">154</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left"><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[Pg viii]</a></span>HODGE</td> - <td><a href="#Page_169">169</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE KEEPER</td> - <td><a href="#Page_182">182</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE AUTHORITY</td> - <td><a href="#Page_197">197</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE BLACKSMITH</td> - <td><a href="#Page_212">212</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE RUNNER</td> - <td><a href="#Page_225">225</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE MAN AT THE TOLL-BAR</td> - <td><a href="#Page_237">237</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">WHO-WHOOP!</td> - <td><a href="#Page_247">247</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE FIRST OF THE SEASON</td> - <td><a href="#Page_257">257</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">UNCLE JOHN'S NEW HORSE</td> - <td><a href="#Page_262">262</a></td> - </tr> - <tr> - <td class="left">THE HOG-BACKED STILE</td> - <td><a href="#Page_287">287</a></td> - </tr> -</table> - -<hr /> - -<h2>ERRATUM.</h2> - -<p class="center"><i>For</i> "Hollo!" <i>read throughout</i> "Holloa!"</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - -<p class="bold2">MEN WE MEET IN THE FIELD.</p> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h2>INTRODUCTORY.</h2> - -<p>For those fond of studying character under various circumstances and in -various positions, there is, perhaps, no medium affording so good an -opportunity, or so vast a scope, as the hunting-field.</p> - -<p>There more than in any other place do men's characters appear in their -true lights. At the covert-side the irritable man, however well he may -on ordinary occasions be able to conceal his irritability, will fret and -fume if things do not go exactly as he wishes. The boaster, who in the -safety of his armchair astonishes his friends with anecdotes of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> own -daring exploits, is, after a fast forty minutes, more often than not -weighed in the balance and found wanting. The garrulous individual, who -invariably knows where the fox has gone and what the huntsman ought to -do, is in the field estimated at his proper value. There also the -grumblers never fail to find a grievance, nor the elder generations of -sportsmen to lament the "good old days gone by." In fact, the -"bell-mouthed pack and tuneful horn" seem to act in some occult way in -bringing out the idiosyncrasies of all their followers. This being so, a -few sketches may not be uninteresting, and I shall endeavour to draw -with my pen some portraits of those with whom we yearly ride, and who -are so well known to most of us. To do this the more concisely, I -propose to describe the field, subscribers, visitors, and others, who -are to be found at the meets from the 1st of November to the end of -April, and who go to make up the members of that justly celebrated -pack—the Bullshire Hounds. Before individualising,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span> however, it will be -necessary to give a short history of the hunt, with a brief outline of -the country, and its gradual growth.</p> - -<p>The Bullshire country is one of the oldest in England, and was -originally hunted on what is known as the "Trencher system," that is -everybody, in lieu of paying a subscription, kept (according to his -means) one or more hounds, which he was bound to bring with him to the -spot selected by the Master (who was yearly elected as huntsman) for the -meet. No sinecure was the office of M.F.H., carrying the horn, for as -every hound recognised the rule of a different Master, and every Master -considered himself entitled to an opinion in the case of his own hound, -there was a good deal of jealousy among the latter and no small amount -of "tail" among the former. The "tailing," however, was augmented by the -different system of preparation and feeding the Bullshire Hounds -received, for while Bellman before hunting was treated to no supper, -Truelove had to deal with a sumptuous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> repast placed before her by the -compassionate but ignorant goodwife, "who couldn't abear the idea of the -old dog doing all that work on an empty stomach."</p> - -<p>After a little the system proved unsatisfactory, and a step in the -proper direction was taken. Old Gregory the Whip was sent round early in -the morning the day before the meet to collect the pack, and it thus -became his business to see that all fared alike—wisely, and not too -well. From this it was an easy stage to kennels, and somehow, before the -inhabitants knew how it happened, they found themselves paying their -subscriptions with and without a murmur, and were able to point with -pride to the Bullshire kennels. Once this an accomplished fact, -everything went on smoothly; and from old Gregory and a Master whose -office was the subject of an annual election, they now turn out a -huntsman, two whips, and a second horseman, and, for a provincial pack, -stand first on the list.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p><p>Their present Master is one of the right sort, who takes an interest in -his hounds and his servants, perhaps at times a little free with his -tongue, but only when absolutely necessary, and it is because of their -large and varied field that I have selected the Bullshire for -description. The country, though not a flying one, has a fair share of -grass, and is acknowledged by all to hold a good scent. As there is -every conceivable sort of obstacle, of every conceivable size, shape, -and form, wet and dry, it requires a clever horse to get over it. -Indeed, when some of the swells from the Shires condescend to patronise -the Bullshire (no uncommon occurrence, by-the-way), there are generally -two or three to be found, like water, at the bottom of a ditch.</p> - -<p>I remember hearing a description of his day by a Meltonian, when he -returned to his quarters with a battered head-piece and covered in mud. -In reply to a question of "Where had he been?" he said: "Lord knows -where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> I have not been. To the bottom of about ten ditches, three -brooks, nearly into a gravel-pit, hung up in a bullfinch for five -minutes, and almost broke my neck at the biggest post and rails I ever -saw." "Well," continued his interlocutor, "did you have a good run?" -"Run!" said he; "I believe you! Ran three miles after my horse and then -nicked in, and was up at the finish. Blessed if ever I saw such a -country. They think nothing of an hour and ten minutes, and they do -stick to it, I can tell you; fox hasn't a chance with the Bullshire. -It's for all the world like a stoat and a hare. Rare place to send -creditor to; give him a mount on a green nag, he's bound to kill -himself."</p> - -<p>Added to these advantages, so ably set forth by the Leicestershire -sportsman, foxes are plentiful, and, with one notable exception, of whom -more anon, everybody looks after them, and does his best to demonstrate -the fact that the fox and the pheasant can both be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> preserved, despite -what Velveteens and his myrmidons may say. The man who rules the -destinies of this sporting pack will form the subject of my first sketch.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE MASTER.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Morning, gentlemen," accompanied by a bow to the ladies, apprises us of -the fact that Sir John Lappington has arrived, and as we turn round in -our saddles we see a cheery face beaming with health and goodnature, and -note what a thorough business look both man and horse present. The horse -is one of those rare specimens of weight-carriers, known as "a good -thing in a small parcel." Standing about fifteen hands two inches, with -quarters fit to jump over a house, and shoulders of equal value when -landing the other side, clean flat legs with plenty of bone, and -excellent feet, well ribbed up,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> with a broad deep chest, it stands a -living picture of the old-fashioned hunter that could and would go -anywhere. And surely the man is not far behind in appearance. Riding -about thirteen stone, or a little lighter, with somewhat a careless -seat, one's first impression is that he is by no means smartly turned -out, though the eye acknowledges at once the workman.</p> - -<p>A second and more careful study shows us that, while there is an entire -absence of gilt and gingerbread, of varnish and veneer, still, from the -crown of his-well-brushed hat to the sole of his well-cleaned boot, -everything is neatness itself. It may be that we take exception to the -brown cords which Sir John always wears; but when one has tried to -follow the clever cobby horse and his master through some of the -roughest places in the day's work, and our leathers show plainly where -we have been, we are fain to confess the wisdom of the said brown cords. -Notwithstanding the cheery goodnature that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> beams from the Master's -face, there is something in his eye and chin that warns instinctively -against riding over the hounds or heading a fox, and shows a latent -power of anathema and rebuke which, when once heard, is not in a hurry forgotten.</p> - -<p>Sir John Lappington has been Master of the Bullshire for four seasons. -He took the hounds at the request of the county on the death of Mr. -Billington, who had hunted them for six-and-twenty years without hardly -missing a day. Some few people urged that the new Master would not be -found old enough to control so large a field, being but thirty years of -age when he commenced his reign; but the first day dispelled their -doubts, for on some of the "galloping-and-jumping" contingent trying to -have things their own way, and paying no heed to repeated remonstrances -to "give hounds a chance," the young Master astonished everyone by -saying to the huntsman: "Stop 'em, Tom;" and when that was effected, -turning to the offenders: "Now,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> gentlemen, when you have done your -d——d steeplechasing we will go on hunting. If you want to break your -necks you may put down my name for five pounds to bury the first who -does so, provided you run it off at once, so that other people who -prefer hunting to rough-riding may not be kept waiting."</p> - -<p>This effectually stopped them, and from that day very little trouble has -been shown, and when any have offended, it has generally required but -one talking-to to bring them to a sense of what was required of them. -Such is the man who now rides up punctual to the minute, and is greeted -by all with a hearty welcome. The hunt servants, with old Tom the -huntsman at their head, are as proud of being under him as they can be, -and the hounds simply adore him. See how they fly, heedless of Harry's -"Ware 'oss, ger away baik," clustering all round the cobby hunter, and -leaving the marks of their affection on boot and saddle. "Eu leu, -Minstrel, old boy; ay, Harbinger, good old man," says Sir John, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> word -for each by name; and back they go to the rule of Tom, who cannot for -the life of him help feeling a twinge of jealousy, that "the hounds -should be so 'nation fond of t' young Master, most as much as they are -o' me, I'll be blessed if they ain't."</p> - -<p>Five minutes of friendly chaff with the carriages, two more with old -Farmer Simms, who, on being shown his wife's poultry bill, says: "Give -it here, Sir John, give it here. The ould woman would take the money out -of a man's breeches if he did not keep his hands in his pockets," and -with a laugh Tom gets the signal to move off, Sir John stopping before -he canters on to the hounds to say: "Never mind, Simms, I daresay we -shall make it all right. The missus and I are old friends," and replying -to Simms's loudly-expressed opinion that "The ould wench 'ull fleece -you, I fear," with a deprecatory wave of the hand as he ranges up -alongside the old huntsman.</p> - -<p>The first draw is a gorse lying on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> side of a hill, where there is -always a little difficulty in restraining the impatience of the field, -who, anxious for a start, are rather apt to override the hounds. There -is a hunting-gate, beyond which no one is allowed to go until the hounds -are well away, and here the Master posts himself, saying in a loud voice -that can be heard by all: "If there is any stranger in the field to-day, -he must understand that while hounds are drawing no one is allowed -farther than this." At this moment his quick eye catches sight of a -youngster who has jumped the rails lower down, and hopes he has escaped -detection. "Come back, you sir," rings out; "come back; and as you are -so fond of timber you can take the rails up hill. Dash your impudence, -when I have just said no one is allowed to go for'ard! Come, at them—no -funking;" and as, amid roars of laughter, the culprit, looking -exceedingly foolish, rides at the rails, and gets a rattling fall, Sir -John chuckles to himself: "Don't think he'll try<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> that game on again." -The hounds are by this time hard at work, and from the way they throw -themselves out of the gorse there are evident signs of a speedy find. -With keen enjoyment the Master watches the young entry, and as first one -and then another of his favourites momentarily expose themselves to -view, he thinks he would not exchange his empire for untold wealth.</p> - -<p>In this enviable frame of mind he is interrupted by the appearance of a -tall cadaverous-looking individual on foot, who, addressing himself to -him, says: "Sir John Lappington, I believe?" "That's me; what can I do -for you?" is the reply. "Ah! they told me I should find you here, ah! -I—my name is Simpkins, Mr. Simpkins, Secretary of the Young Men's -Improvement Society. I have been requested to ask for your patronage and -subscription for a new school our society have decided on opening for -young men in Lappington; and as they told me you were following the -chase, ah!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span> and my time is limited, I thought I should not be intruding -if I could persuade you to" (pulling out a long subscription-list) "look -over this."</p> - -<p>Here, luckily, "Away, g-o-rne a-wa-a-y!" cut short the conversation, and -the Master, swinging down the hill and slipping over the bank and ditch -at the bottom, almost before the astonished Simpkins has made out what -has happened, might have been heard muttering to himself: "Well, I am -blowed! Did anyone hear of a man being asked to subscribe to a school -when hounds had just found? Following the chase too! If they don't teach -the young men better than that, the future Lappingtonians won't be much -in the sporting line. Hark for'ard; for'ard away!" and sending his horse -somewhat viciously at a bigger pace than usual he is shut out from -sight, where for the time I will leave him.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE HUNTSMAN.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Hounds, please, gentlemen; hounds, please," says old Tom Wilding, as he -threads his way through the field, who have, in their eagerness, ridden -over the line. "Now, where the deuce should t' fox a gotten to, I -wonder?" thinks he to himself; "Harbinger made it good across the lane, -I swear, for I saw 'im, and there's naught to turn 'im that I can see." -But there is; for an old woman, innocent of mischief, suddenly raises -her much-be-bonneted head out of the turnips right in front, and with a -"Dang her ugly mug," Tom makes a swinging cast for'ard. Minstrel, -hitting off the scent under the gate<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> out of the field, is promptly -corroborated in his statement by Gaylad, and in a second things are -going as jolly as a peal of bells.</p> - -<p>The old Huntsman stops just a moment before pulling his horse together -at the timber, to give "t' ould wench" a bit of his mind. "Look here," -says he, "you've frightened fox away with that danged ould top-knot o' -your'n. I be a good mind to——" But the old lady drops a most humble -curtsy, and looks so penitent, that his anger vanishes, a smile steals -over his face, and with a "Coom up," he pops over the rails and gets to -his hounds. A bit of a martinet is Tom, and right well does he know how -to keep his whips in order. Ay, and for the matter of that, some of the -fire-eaters of the field besides.</p> - -<p>Woe betide the unfortunate Harry who, keen as mustard, slips away, -leaving two couple and a half behind. "All here?" says Tom. "A couple -coming up, sir," replies Harry (he thinks it better to economise the -truth as to numbers); "they are close<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> behind." "Then what the devil -business have you in front of them? Get back and bring 'em along at -once. D'ye suppose my second whip's come out as a horniment?" (Tom, when -excited, is a little shaky with his h's.) "If you don't know your -business I can jolly soon get someone who does. There's lots of chaps to -do the riding without you a-figuring about here. Get back at once, and -let me catch you a-leaving hounds behind again." Yet in his heart he -thinks none the worse of the lad for being keen to get along in front, -and remembers How often he himself has been rated in bygone days for the -same offence.</p> - -<p>Of course Tom has his aversions, and there is one particular individual -who, he says, he "just can't abear"—a Captain Stockley, one of the -galloping-and-jumping division, who, although he can ride anything and -over anything, knows little of hunting as hunting <i>per se</i>, and is -always getting on top of the pack. One day, when he had managed to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> head -the fox twice, the first whip, Charles, allowed his feelings to get the -better of him, and holloed: "Hold hard, sir; d——n it, give 'em a -chance;" whereupon Stockley rode up to Tom, and with a bland smile said: -"I am sorry to be obliged to make a complaint, but one of the whips has -been very impudent—in fact, he cursed me." The reply was not quite what -the Captain expected, for Tom, seeing the cause of the two mischances in -front of him, growled out: "He cursed yer, did he? Well, if it 'ad -a-been me, I'd a gi'en yer a jolly good hiding;" and then catching his -horse by the head he drove him at the wood fence, and was cheering on -the pack before the Captain had recovered from his surprise.</p> - -<p>However, we left him just out of the turnips, with the hounds settling -down to the line. Everything goes well for some ten minutes, there is a -burning scent, lots of fencing for those who like it, and a convenient -lane for those who don't. All of a sudden the hounds throw their heads -up and spread like a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> fan. Not a sign does the Huntsman make beyond -holding up his hand to stop the rush of the field. But with one eye on -the pack, and the other looking forward to where the sheep are -scampering across the meadow on the hillside and huddling together in a -close column, he sits like a statue. Deaf is he to the remonstrances of -the eager ones, who say: "It's for'ard, Tom; get along," merely -remarking: "Let 'em puzzle it out; they want to hunt now. Yer can always -lift 'em, but yer can't always get their heads down again;" and in a few -moments he is rewarded by seeing the hounds work it out of their own -accord, and dash forward, proud of their own cleverness.</p> - -<p>Some of the strangers to the Bullshire country say Tom is slow, but they -do not know the old man. See him in another half hour, when the fox is -beginning to run short. They are beginning to look for their second -horses, and someone remarks that Charles is away. Suddenly a cap is seen -in the air some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> four fields to the right, and "Hoick, holloa, hoick, -holloa!" rings out clear. "Who is that?" ask some of the field. "Why, -it's Charles! how the deuce did he get there?" say others. The Huntsman, -however, knows well how it all came about, for did not he send Charles -off to the high ground overlooking Bromley Wood on the off chance of a -view? and now he does not wait an instant to discuss the question, but -with a "chink-wink" of the horn and with cap in hand he gallops off, -lifting the pack almost on to the fox's back.</p> - -<p>Two fields farther on his "Who-whoop" tells everybody that all is over, -and as they ride up one after another they see the old man, with his -gray hairs streaming in the breeze, standing in the middle of his -hounds, holding aloft the fox at arm's length, preparatory to giving his -body over to the tender mercies of Traveller, Gaylad, and Co. "Eugh, -tear 'im and eat 'im," and the "worry, worry" begins. Tom looks up at -his young master with a smile, and says: "We've got the ould divil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> this -time, sir; he's beat us often enough before;" and then raising his voice -so as to be heard by all, he continues: "None so slow either. If we -had'na let t' hounds work it out theirselves, fox would a-been a-going -now. Where to, sir?" as he swings into his saddle. "Bromley Wood? right, -sir. Coom away, hounds; coop, coop, coom away;" and Tom trots off with -the pack best pace, for, as he remarks: "It's lunch-time now, and if so -be I bestirs mysen I can leave about half t' field behind; and that's -just what I like. I can get away comfortable without a lot a-trampling -and messing over t' hounds, and them as likes eating better nor hunting, -why they've no cause to grumble if they're chucked out."</p> - -<p>As he approaches the wood, a wave of the hand sends the whole pack -tumbling in, the two whips taking their stations like clockwork. With a -"'War'oss!" the old Huntsman jumps into cover, and though lost to sight -his voice is heard out of the woods cheering on his hounds. "Eugh, at -'im, my beauties. Eugh,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> doit, eugh, boys," he shouts; and the pack, who -have learnt to love, ay, and what is more, respect their tutor, fly to -his holloa, each doing what our American cousins call their "level best" -to please him.</p> - -<p>Tom, when he gets home, will not fail over his glass and pipe to recount -exactly what each of his favourites did at each particular spot, for -nothing escapes his quick eye, and he fully returns with interest the -love of the Bullshire Hounds, of which he has been Huntsman for some -eighteen years, and in which position he hopes to remain until he is, as -he puts it, "run to ground."</p> - -<p>Before leaving him, one anecdote will suffice to show the kindliness of -the old man's heart towards dumb animals. They had had a long wearing -day over a heavy country, with but little or no scent, and Tom found -himself on leaving off some eighteen miles from the kennels. On arrival, -after seeing that his darlings were all right (a duty he never -neglected), he thought it about time to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> look after himself, and had -just sat down to his well-earned supper, when a small boy arrived at his -house, crying fit to break his heart. "What's up, my lad?" said Tom. -"P-p-please, sir," replied the urchin between his sobs, "old Bob's -b-b-een runned over, and they is broke 'is leg, bo-hoo! and mother -s-says as how he mun be shot—for her canna mend it; and if yer -p-please, Bob allas slept along wi' me sin' 'e wur a puppy, a-and I -c-can't abear it, bo-hoo!" "Well, boy, don't 'e cry; I'll come down -mysen and see tew 'im," said the old Huntsman; and, tired and supperless -as he was, he there and then put on his coat and tramped off the best -part of a mile to see to the crippled terrier, and after setting the leg -and making the poor dog as comfortable as he could, he sat up best part -of the night nursing it as a mother would her baby. It was three o'clock -in the morning before Tom got into his bed; and he will tell you how -tired he was, but he will also say: "Poor old doggie, 'e was just for -all the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> world like a Christian. There was none on 'em as knowed aught -about it, and when I'd done 'is leg he wagged 'is stump of a tail, -saying plain enough: 'Don't 'e go now; I'm main thankful to yer, but -don't 'e go,' that I couldna a-bear to leave 'im till 'e wur a bit more -comfortable like. You see, we can holloa out, but them dum' animals -canna." Bob, the old dog, is still alive, and the boy is now an -under-keeper, but neither of them forget old Tom's kindness, and both -would almost lay down their lives for the Huntsman of the Bullshire Hounds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE WHIPS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"'Say, Harry, the old man killed his fox well to-day," says Charles, the -First Whip, to his junior, as they jog home to the kennels in the evening.</p> - -<p>"Umph!" replies Harry; "but he need not have dropped it so hot on to me -just because them two couple of loiterers stopped back. Blessed if I -ever saw such hounds as them for messing about in cover. It's always the -same. Caterer and Bellman, Pillager and Marksman, never up in time; and -then if I gets on a bit, it's 'Where's them two couple? Go back and -fetch 'em at once.' Dashed if I oughtn't to take a return ticket to -every field in the county."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span></p><p>Charles, who thinks it by no means improbable that some day he may find -himself with the horn of office, and Harry promoted to First Whip's -place, merely says: "Well, you shouldn't be in such a thundering hurry -to get off. You know your place is back, and back you should be."</p> - -<p>At this juncture they ride up to The Bell and Horns, a famous halfway -house, where they brew the best of ale, and can, if so disposed, give -you a glass of the best whisky out of Ireland. The landlord, a sporting -old veteran, bustles out and takes Tom's order for "Three pints of dog's -nose" (a compound of ale and gin), "and some gruel for the nags."</p> - -<p>"Well, what sort of a day have you had?" says he. "Nay, nay, don't mind -the hound, let him be," as Harry is proceeding to correct Minstrel's -attack of curiosity concerning the construction of Boniface's waistcoat. -"The old boy and I are friends," and he pats the hound's sensible head.</p> - -<p>Old Tom, having taken his face out of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> pint pot, and smacking his -lips, replies: "A first-rate day. Found in the gorse, run through -Bouffler's meadows up to the Mere, turned in the lane, where the fox was -headed, then over the Ring Hills, and killed by Bromley Wood. Charles -here," pointing to his aide-de-camp, "was the means of our killing; and -I must say Harry did uncommon well, though he does always want to be in front."</p> - -<p>At this meed of praise from their chief both the Whips feel some inches -taller, and Harry quite forgets his rating in the morning.</p> - -<p>The horses gruelled and the score paid by the Huntsman, they are again -on the road, having been joined by a couple of farmers going their way -as far as the cross-roads, and with whom old Tom is soon in close -confabulation. Harry rides for some distance without vouchsafing a word, -save an occasional "Whip, get for'ard," to some straggler of the pack. -At last he says:</p> - -<p>"Charles, the old man is a good 'un, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> no mistake. I'd sooner have a -kick from him than sixpence from anyone else. He's quite right—business -is business; but when it's over how many of 'em would stand a glass, -'specially after a bit of a word?"</p> - -<p>"You're right, my lad," replies Charles. "You'll go mony a day afore you -pitch on a man like old Tom, or, for the matter o' that, on a pack like -our'n. Look you, it ain't every Huntsman as 'ull let his Whips into the -secret of breeding; but I'll be bound there ain't a hound as you and I -don't know as much about as he does hisself."</p> - -<p>"What are you two a-chattering about?" interrupts Tom.</p> - -<p>"Only a-saying as how we knowed the pedigrees, sir," said Harry.</p> - -<p>"So you ought. I'm sure I lets Charles and you know all I can. My system -is 'fair do's.' Every man's got a summut to do with the run, and they're -our hounds; and though I say it as perhaps shouldn't, we've the best -Master and the best pack in England; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> when I comes on the society, -if Charles there ain't ready to take my place, why it will break my -heart. Ay, my lad, and then you can get for'ard as much as you like."</p> - -<p>"I knows one thing," says Harry, whose heart is getting too big for his -waistcoat, "the Bullshire have got the best Huntsman in England, or, for -the matter o' that, in the world; and I'm main sorry as I vexed you -to-day leaving them hounds in cover."</p> - -<p>"Not a bit, lad, not a bit; it's over now. I like to see yer keen; but -duty first, yer know," replies Tom. "Charles," he continues, "it looks -all like a frost to-night. What do yer think?"</p> - -<p>"Freezes now, and there are two or three of these hounds going lame a -bit, and they find the ground a bit hardish," says Charles.</p> - -<p>By this time they have arrived at the cross-roads, and the two farmers -turn off, leaving the Huntsman and his two Whips with a three-mile trot -before them.</p> - -<p>It may be gathered from the above the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> sort of terms that the Bullshire -Hunt servants were on with each other, and what good feeling existed -between them. Charles, the First Whip, had served his apprenticeship -with the pack—first as a lad in the kennel, then as Second Whip, and -lastly where we find him. His whole soul lay in his work, and the most -miserable time he owns to in his life was when he broke his leg riding -over a gate, and was laid up for six weeks away from his darlings. "I -shouldn't a minded if it had been in the summer," said he; "but having -to lay up abed in the middle of this beautiful scenting weather, it's -d——d hard luck, and I know the beauties will be wondering where the -deuce I've got to." As soon as he could move, his first outing was to -the kennels, where the reception, or rather ovation, he obtained -corroborated his opinion anent the hounds missing him.</p> - -<p>Equally fond of hunting was Harry, though, it must be confessed, he -liked the riding part the best. Originally a farmer's boy, he first made -his appearance in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> hunting-field on the top of a leader out of the -plough, which he had surreptitiously detached, and the way he rattled -the old nag along, chains and all, over or through everything, gained -him his place. Sir John Lappington, happening to see him, made inquiries -about the boy, and when he was turned off by his indignant master—for -of course he was turned off when his escapade came to light—he asked -the lad if he would like to go to the kennels. Harry jumped at the -offer, and when there he made himself so useful and learnt to ride so -quickly that on the Second Whip leaving suddenly, through misplaced -confidence in the amount of liquid he could "carry," Harry was put in as -a stopgap, and did so well that he was officially appointed Second Whip, -and has been so now for three seasons, giving every satisfaction.</p> - -<p>Of his powers of riding the following anecdote will show:</p> - -<p>They had been running hard one day last season, and were getting on -terms with their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> fox, when, just as they approached the Swill (a deep -muddy brook, to jump which when low was a thing to talk of, and when -full almost an impossibility), a fresh fox jumped up right in the centre -of the pack, and took half of them over the stream, which was bank full. -To stop them was a necessity, and there was no bridge nearer than half a -mile. Harry, without waiting a minute, pulled his nag together, and -shouting: "Here's in or over. I canna swim; but I've naught to leave -'cept my togs, and the're master's," rode at it, and, to the -astonishment of everybody, in another second was safe across and had -stopped the hounds on the far side. How he got over is a mystery to this -day, and no one was so astonished as himself. If you ask him he will -tell you "he only knew hounds had to be stopped, and if he had gone -under he could not have helped it. He trusted to luck and his spurs, and -they pulled him through."</p> - -<p>It is small wonder that everything works like clockwork when Master, -Huntsman, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> Whips all act in concert and harmony, and Charles and -Harry know full well the value of their situations. After the horses are -done up for the night, and the hounds are seen to, fed, warm and -comfortable on their benches, the two will as like as not go up and -smoke a pipe at old Tom's cottage before turning in; and the knowledge -they gain in those "evenings at home" is untold, for, as Charles said, -the old man keeps nothing back, and is never so pleased as when he is -giving his Whips the benefit of his long experience. Should the frost -set in, the Master will be down at the kennels in the morning for a -certainty, and two or three instructive hours will be passed in talk of -horse and hounds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE SECRETARY.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>A man of immense importance is Mr. J. Boulter of The Grange, quite as -essential to the welfare of the Bullshire Hunt as either Master or -servants; and, indeed, if you could see through the double-breasted -pink, the corduroy waistcoat, and the gray flannel beneath, into his -innermost heart, you would, I am almost convinced, find that Mr. B. was -there written down as the man of the lot.</p> - -<p>No light task is his, namely that of professional beggar. For he is -Secretary and Treasurer to the Hunt, and on him falls the onus of -collecting as well as receiving subscriptions. Long practice has made -him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> an adept in the art of "cornering" a defaulter, for he has been in -office for fifteen years, and it is his boast that if a pound is to be -got he is the man to get it.</p> - -<p>On one occasion he was sorely put about by a man (I was going to say a -gentleman, but his conduct precludes the use of the term), who came down -from town and established himself in the country, bringing with him a -large stud of hunters. Naturally the Secretary fixed his eagle eye on so -promising a subject, and after a month or so began to hint at a -subscription, which of course was promised but never came.</p> - -<p>Well, the season was drawing to a close and no cheque had been received -from the stranger, who, by-the-way, had not forgotten to find fault with -everything and everybody; moreover Mr. Boulter had heard by a side-wind -that half the large stud were gone, and the rest, accompanied by their -owner, would shortly follow. This, coupled with the oft-repeated -question at the covert-side of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> "Holloa, Boulter, got his coin yet?" put -our Secretary on his mettle. So one off-day he rode over to the inn and -interviewed the individual, asking him point blank for his cheque, as he -(Mr. B.) was making up the accounts. The answer was not propitious, for -the snob replied: "I have not got my cheque-book with me, but here are -two sovereigns, which is quite sufficient for such a provincial pack as yours."</p> - -<p>Boulter pocketed the sovereigns and retired, meditating revenge. At -last, however, he hit on a plan.</p> - -<p>The meet on the following Monday was fixed for Bindley Park, and the -first draw was a long wood, at one end of which lay the house of a -market-gardener and small farmer. The only way from the Park to the wood -was through the farmyard-gate and out into the field, unless you jumped -the fence into the market-garden. Mr. Boulter accordingly took the owner -of the said gate into his confidence, as well as those of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> field he -could trust, and on the day of the meet the gate was found to be locked, -and no one knew where the farmer had gone. To lift it off the hinges was -impossible, and old Tom, with a twinkle in his eye, said: "Dang it all; -but we mun go round," and forthwith made a pretence of trotting off.</p> - -<p>"Never heard such a thing in my life," said the non-subscriber, falling -into the trap. "Dashed piece of impudence; sort of thing one might -expect in this benighted country. I'm dashed if I'm going round; I shall -go through the beggar's garden;" and he proceeded to put his threat into -execution by riding at the hedge.</p> - -<p>As he rose at the fence the farmer's face was seen peeping round the -gate, and as the horse descended into the garden a terrific smash was -heard, followed by a loud altercation with, "Damage to my glass and pots -and that there bed of young stuff," etc. etc. The next morning the owner -of the large stud was presented with a bill of costs to the amount<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> of -£20, which, after a deal of blustering, he paid, fifteen sovereigns -finding their way into Mr. Boulter's cash-box, the remaining five amply -repaying the market-gardener for the loss of two broken and useless -lights, a few cabbage-stalks, and a selection of old pots, which he, -together with the Secretary, had placed under the hedge at likely spots.</p> - -<p>Thus did Mr. Boulter score, and he enjoys nothing so much as telling the -story of how he trapped the stranger, though, by-the-way, the same story -increases in dramatic incident year by year.</p> - -<p>Most amusing it is to watch the reception of the Secretary as he rides -up on his famous jumping cob. Those who have paid up greet him with: -"Morning, Boulter; you're looking very fit;" and sometimes, when -perchance he is arrayed more gorgeously than usual as to his headpiece, -"What! a new hat? Dash it all, but that's the second this season; -there'll be no money left if you go buying hats like this out of the -fund. Here,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> Lappington" (to the Master), "here's the Secretary been -embezzling again, and broken out into another new topper." While those -who have as yet not forwarded their subscription nod him a good-morning, -and then somehow their steeds, which up to the present have been -behaving in a most rational manner, suddenly get excited, and it -requires the undivided attention of their riders to prevent them running away.</p> - -<p>In fact, they do run away until they manage to place a convenient -distance between themselves and the jumping cob. The Secretary, however, -is fully up to all these little dodges, and generally brings down -confusion on one or other member by saying with a chuckle: "Dear me, -So-and-so, what a funny thing it is, your horse is always fidgety when I -come near him. One would think he was afraid of being asked for a -subscription, and forgets that his master has paid." After a pause: "By -Jove, no! I'm wrong and the horse is right. Your cheque has not come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> -yet. What a sensible beast the animal is!" He says this is a most -infallible remedy, and that the following morning he invariably finds a -letter on his table enclosing the required article, and apologising for -forgetfulness.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the secret of his success lies in his great popularity, for his -cheery manners and jovial smile have endeared him to all. Among the -farmers' wives he is worshipped, and though they one and all swear that -"Next time they are not a-going to be talked over about that -poultry-bill," it is always the same. Before the Secretary rides or -drives away from the homestead the bill is forgotten, and all the -children are crowing after him to tell them one more "'tory."</p> - -<p>One good dame in particular is most emphatic on the subject of his -powers of persuasion. "You see, my dear," says she, "I sends in a bill -for two turkeys, six couple of ducks, just a-fatting too, three couple -of hens, and a whole brood of chickens. When I sees Mr. Boulter a-coming -up I says to myself says<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> I, 'Now, Mrs. Styles, don't you go for to be -bamboozled.' But, laws! afore he's been in the place half an hour I've -nearly busted myself a-larfin', and I finds myself a-drinking a dish of -tea with him, and as fully persuaded as how it's my place to keep the -turkeys for them beastly foxes as I don't know what; and then the -blessed bill goes in the fire, and I'm a loser of close on twenty-eight -shillings. But then I knowed him as a lad, bless 'im; and there's never -a Christmas but what a hamper of game and a bottle of sherry comes to -the farm; so there's no bones broke."</p> - -<p>With all his wheedling powers, Mr. Boulter is a thorough sportsman. -There is not an earth in the country that he does not know as well as -his own house; and he is equally well acquainted with the run of every -fox. Every hound he knows by name, and can give you chapter and verse -for both pedigree and performance.</p> - -<p>A sure find for breakfast, dinner, or lunch, too, is The Grange, and for -a bottle of real<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> old '47 port never drawn blank. Unbounded hospitality -is the order in that establishment, where throughout the season Mrs. -Boulter takes care that something is always on the table "in case the -hounds should come that way." Talking of Mrs. Boulter, there is a piece -of chaff against her husband that the day he was married he not only got -a subscription to the hounds out of the parson, but by exercising his -persuasive powers actually got off the fees!</p> - -<p>The annual hunt-dinner is a great day for the Secretary. On that -occasion he takes the vice-chair, and proposes the health of Sir John, -the Master, in a speech which poor Mrs. B. has to listen to off and on -for the three previous days. Once the meek little woman did rebel. The -speech she had put up with, but when her lord and master returned home -at two o'clock, exceedingly jovial, and kept her awake till six o'clock -by alternately treating her to "John Peel," and informing her, with a -somewhat foolish laugh, that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> "they called me besht f'ller in shworld, -drunk m'very good shealth, 'pon m'shoul," she thought it was a little -too much; and when the orator awoke next day, headachey, chippy, and -penitent, she gave him a piece of her mind which so astonished him that -he has never exceeded again, and now returns at eleven sharp.</p> - -<p>Sometimes during the summer months Boulter is to be seen struggling with -a pile of luggage at a foreign railway station, looking as miserable as -a man can look, and heavily handicapped as to the language of the -country in which his wife has elected to travel. But the trip never -lasts long. Some business connected with the hunt invariably calls him -back, and on a hot August day you will find him at the kennels chatting -with Tom Wilding over the prospects of the coming season or the young -entry, and anxiously longing for the "beastly harvest" to be over, and -for November leaves to fall.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p><p>If not there he will be riding round looking up Velveteens and his -satellites, and endeavouring to imbue them with the motto of "Live and -let live," as applicable to the fox.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE FARMER.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Like master like man" is a very old saying, and, like many of those -ancient saws, very true. Therefore, in such a sporting country as the -Bullshire, with such a sporting Master at the head of affairs, it stands -to reason that the field, or at all events the majority of them, should -be equally imbued with the love of the chase. Now in every country the -mainstay and backbone of the hunt is the Farmer, for without his consent -and co-operation fox-hunting would become a thing of the past, and -instead of a series of brilliant gallops and a successful season, we -should read of a series of actions for trespass and verdicts for -damages, carrying costs.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p><p>Keen sportsmen and true friends to the hunt are the Farmers of -Bullshire, so there is little fear of opposition on their part. Indeed, -on one occasion they combined to make it very "warm" for a stranger who -came among them, and who did not fall in with their views concerning the -necessary amount of support to be given to the hounds. The erring member -was a man who, having made some money in the chandler line in London, -took it into his head that he was cut out for a Farmer, and accordingly -took a farm in the centre of the hunt. From the moment he set his foot -in the place he gave offence, for the first thing he did was to wire the -whole of his fences, and then gave notice that anyone riding across his -land would be summoned for trespass and "prosecuted according to law." -"He was not a-going to 'ave them beastly dorgs and 'osses a-running over -his land, not if he knowed it." A climax, however, was reached when the -surly brute assaulted one of the members of the hunt with a pitchfork, -and swore he would lay down<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> poison for the hounds. A meeting was there -and then called to discuss the question, and it was unanimously decided -to give the individual "what for."</p> - -<p>Accordingly, some of the younger Farmers assembled one evening, and by -the following morning there was not a trace of wire to be seen nor a -gate-post standing in the holding of the ex-chandler. Strange to say, -the local police, into whose hands the matter was immediately put, -failed to discover the offenders, and the country-side was straightway -ringing with the candleman's discomfiture. The next time he went to -market not a beast could he sell, and it was the same with everything. -He found a strong league against him, none would buy from him and none -would sell to him; so at the end of a year he retired in disgust, much -to the delight of the conspirators.</p> - -<p>No two better representatives of the Bullshire Farmers, old and young, -could be found than Simms and his son. The father—hard-working, -hard-riding, hard-headed, with fifty<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> years of practical knowledge on -his shoulders—is a firm believer in Church and State and the rotation -of crops. With a horror of anything like steam, and a decided prejudice -against the School Board, he stands out a true type of the warm-hearted -old-fashioned yeoman.</p> - -<p>The son, equally hard-working in his way, and still harder perhaps in -his riding, is full of what his sire is pleased to call "danged -rattletrap notions," born of the Agricultural College. Steam ploughs or -"cultivators" he pins his faith on. Church and State he has not much -time, he says, to think about. The rotation of crops must be regulated -by manuring, and he drives the old man nearly wild by learned treatises -on the subject of superphosphates, nitrates, and guano.</p> - -<p>Each in his own way is an excellent Farmer—the one of the old school, -practical and working in a groove, the other of the new, mechanical and -enterprising. In the hunting-field, however, they meet on common ground, -and as there are but few fixtures at which both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> father and son do not -turn up, it may be taken for granted that in this respect their opinions -coincide.</p> - -<p>Mark the difference in the respective "get-up" of the two as they jog -along together to Highfield cross-roads. Old Simms' long-coat is, from -constant exposure, more of a brown than the black it originally was; and -his hat has evidently had a few words with the hat-brush (the latter -having revenged itself by running "heel"), for the silk is all the wrong -way, and there is a large dent in the top. He still adheres to a -bird's-eye fogle, wound three times round a high white collar, the -corners of which only are visible, and contrast strongly with his jovial -red face. High jack-boots, and stout cords that have seen the end of -many a hard day, complete his attire, while his horse, a real "good -'un," is, like himself, all in the rough. His son, on the contrary, is -as neat as a new pin, in a hunting-cap, double-breasted Melton coat, -white breeches and tops; and the horse is on a par with his rider.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p><p>"Ah Simms, I knew you would turn up," say a cluster of sportsmen as the -pair arrive at the meet.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, gentlemen; bound to be at Highfield, if possible. James -here" (pointing to his son) "would never forgive me if I did not come -and see his gorse drawn, though I do tell him as how, with all the -stinking stuff be puts on the land, there ain't a ghost of a chance of -any scent," is the reply.</p> - -<p>"Never you fear, father," retorts James; "you wait till they find, and -if they don't run as well over my land as any other I'll eat my hat."</p> - -<p>"All right, my boy," laughs the old man. "I hope you and your young 'un -may come across one of those infernal steam ploughs of yours, like I did -this morning, all of a sudden. The mare nearly put me down, old stager -as she is, and what that cocktail of yours'll do, Lord knows."</p> - -<p>This raises a general laugh against James, in the middle of which the -Master rides up.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> "Well, James, have you got one for us to-day?" he -asks. "Tom tells me that we are sure of a fox in the osiers at the -bottom, but if you know of one in the gorse we'll go there first."</p> - -<p>"Try the gorse first, Sir John, if you please. I think I can promise one -there," replies James Simms, in momentary dread that Tom and the osiers -might win the day.</p> - -<p>And as Sir John, nodding to the Huntsman, says: "High field Gorse, Tom," -James's face beams with pleasure, and, together with his father, he -trots off to superintend the arrangements. "A chip of the old block" is -the general verdict, as James, sending his "young 'un" at a low post and -rails, which he hits hard all round, cuts off a corner, and canters on -to the bottom end, where he remains as mute as a sphinx, merely -telegraphing to Tom and his father that he was there. Just as the hounds -are thrown in, a boy runs up to him and, with a grin, says: "Mayster, -ay's theer; I'n sayd 'un. Ay's down at bottom end by t' ould stump."</p> - -<p>"All right, Jim, my lad; you keep quiet.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> If he's there you shall have a -bob," replies James, burning with impatience as he hears no sound save -Tom's "Eleu, in, eleu 'ave at 'm. Eugh, boys."</p> - -<p>"Blank, by the Lord Harry!" he ejaculates, as two or three hounds appear -outside; and, turning to the boy, he asks: "My lad, are you sure you saw -a fox?"</p> - -<p>"I'n sayd 'un; ay's theer," is the reply. "Ay mun bay up stump."</p> - -<p>"Here," cries James, "take my whip, and if you can get him out your bob -will be two-and-six."</p> - -<p>The boy does not wait a moment, but, heedless of furze, dashes on to -where the old ivy-covered stump stands, and is soon swarming up to the -top. A crack of the whip, a scuffle, a shout from the lad of "Look out, -mayster," and a fine old dog jumps out and makes off right under James's -nose.</p> - -<p>"Good lad," he says, as the boy returns with his whip; "here, catch." -And while James utters a view holloa that would wake<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span> the dead, the lad, -having spat upon it for luck, transfers half-a-crown to his pocket.</p> - -<p>"All right, Tom; down the field and over the fence to the right. Come -on, dad;" and Tom, getting his hounds on the line in a twinkling, the -trio are hard at it.</p> - -<p>"Pull that young 'un together," says old Simms as they neared the fence; -"it's a big 'un." His old mare slips over as if it was child's play. Not -so the "young 'un." Going like an express train, he never rises an inch, -and James finds himself and the nag somewhat mixed up on the other side.</p> - -<p>"That's a buster. No damage, eh?" says Tom.</p> - -<p>"Not a bit; for'ard on," replies James, swinging himself into his -saddle, and giving his astonished animal a gentle reminder. "It'll teach -him to rise next time. There goes the governor," as his father landed in -a blind ditch at the next obstacle, but was up and going again in a moment.</p> - -<p>At this crisis they are joined by the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> Master and a chosen few. "All, -this is something like a fox, worthy of the family," laughs Sir John -Lappington as he gallops alongside. "Did you breed him on purpose?"</p> - -<p>"No, Sir John; I can't quite say that. He's an artful old dodger though, -and mother says she's had the feeding of him. He was up in the stump, -and a lad fetched him out with my whip," replies Simms the younger as -they stride over the grass.</p> - -<p>"By gad, fox is bound for your place," says Tom to the father. And Tom -is right. Straight as a die he heads for old Simms' farm, and now that -they are on his land the son does not forget to chaff his father most -unmercifully about the roughness of the fences. A few fields farther on -a labourer hollos him, and in the meadow before the house the hounds -view, and they run into him almost in the garden.</p> - -<p>"Who-whoop," yells the old man, as pleased as Punch. "Now then, missus," -as Mrs. Simms comes out to see the end of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> destroyer of her -chickens, "ale and beer and anything you have. What is it, gentlemen? -Give it a name," as the field one by one jump off their smoking horses. -"We must drink the health of this one; it's, as Sir John says, a family -fox. Oh, bother the turkeys, missus," as Mrs. S. mutters something about -feeding the fox; "you can think of nothing but turkeys. We's all a-dry -here;" and he bustles off to fetch out some more of the rare old -home-brewed, reappearing in a few minutes with an enormous jug. "Now, -Sir John, one more glass. No? Anybody else say anything? Here, Tom, I -must have that brush. Best thing we've had this season. Oh, <i>you</i> don't -want any more beer, James; you ought to feed on phosphates," as his son -holds out a horn to be replenished. "There, bring my horse, lad," to a -labourer; and the old man, his face beaming with pleasure, is ready for -the fray again.</p> - -<p>That evening there is what James calls a "symposium" at the farm, and -the run is run over again. "Twenty-five minutes without a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> check, and -thank you kindly for the missus, self, and son. I only hope we shall be -able to find as good a one next time we draw the gorse, and if every one -of us has a family fox on his place, the Bullshire need have no fear -about sport," is what old Simms says in acknowledging the toast of -himself and family, which is drunk with three times three.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE PARSON.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>It is related of the late Bishop of Winchester that, on one occasion -when shooting, he was asked by his host to remonstrate with the keeper -for his non-attendance at church, and accordingly he did so. "Well, my -lord," replied the man, "I owns I doesn't go much to church, but I reads -my bible regular, and I can't say as I've found anything there about t' -apostles going a-shooting, and they was bishops."</p> - -<p>"Quite right, my man, quite right," was the ready answer. "You see they -did not preserve much in those days, so they went fishing instead."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p><p>Equally ready was the answer of the Rev. William Halston, when his -diocesan informed him that so much hunting did not meet with his -approval, and on the argument waxing warm had allowed himself to make -use of a somewhat unclerical expression. "Sir," said the angry bishop, -"you go galloping all over the country, and your parish is going to the dogs."</p> - -<p>"Exactly the reason, my lord, why I hunt," replied his reverence with a -smile. "When all my parishioners are going to the dogs, it is my -positive duty to go also, if only to look after them."</p> - -<p>The bishop thought somehow that he had met his match, and so nothing -further was said on the subject. That little episode occurred some -twenty years ago, when Mr. Halston was a younger man, but his love of -hunting has if anything increased with his age, and seldom is his -well-known face absent from any of the meets within reasonable distance -(which he computes at eighteen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> miles); and a bold rider must be the man -who, when hounds are running, sets himself down to cut out "t' ould -Parson," as the Rector of Copthorpe is called.</p> - -<p>Copthorpe, I may mention, in early days was the only church for miles on -that side of the country, and the living embraced no less than four -straggling parishes, the farthest being some twenty miles distant. With -the growth of the population came the necessity for more places of -worship, and besides a new church built at Lappington by Sir John's -father there is also one at Highfield, situated at the other extremity, -the mother church still being, of course, at Copthorpe.</p> - -<p>From this it may be wondered how the Rector can find time to do his work -and hunt as well. But that he does so is undeniable, for there is not a -cottage in the whole parish that some time or other during the week he -does not visit, and high and low, rich and poor, one and all love and -honour their Parson.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p><p>The cottagers simply adore him, for numerous are the tales round the -country-side of how "t' ould mon sot up night after night wi' Jack Bliss -when ay fell down t' gravel-pit drunk, and welly killed hisself;" and -how "ay used to ride o'er every other day wi' some port-wine or summut -in his pocket when So-and-so's wife was bad in t' fever-time, six years -back." Often does the old gentleman (for he now numbers close on seventy -years), coming back after a long day with the hounds, snatch a hasty -meal, and, jumping on the back of his famous pony Jerry, canter off some -six or seven miles to see a poor parishioner that one of his curates had -reported sick; and, should occasion require it, the morning light will -find him seated by the bedside of the sufferer, speaking to him or her -such words of consolation and hope as make the pain seem less and the -heart seem lighter.</p> - -<p>His power, too, is unlimited, and on more than one occasion has the -arrival of Parson<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> Halston put a sudden stop to a free fight that looked -strangely like ending in bloodshed. For the men know that he will stand -no nonsense; and still fresh in the memory of most of the pitmen is the -discomfiture of one of their number, Black Joe, who in his drunken fury -attacked his pastor, and went down like an ox before a deadly -left-hander, delivered with a science born of Alma Mater and "town and gown."</p> - -<p>They caught "t' ould Parson" up in their stalwart arms then and there, -and how they did cheer him as they carried him down the street!</p> - -<p>From that day his rule was established, and a word now is sufficient, -without anything else, to stop "riot."</p> - -<p>But it is not only those workers in the mines that have their story; the -farm-labourers are equally loud in singing his praises, for did not he, -when a paid hireling was stumping the country urging them to strike -against their masters, jump on the cart from whence the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> ranter was -hurling forth denunciations against "the landlords' tyranny and the -farmers' oppression," and holding him forcibly down with one hand, -address them all as they gazed in wonder, and say to them how they had -"worked together and drank together, hunted together and suffered -together, for many years; and now would they listen—they, the men of -Bullshire—to a miserable whimpering Cockney from London, who could -neither mow a swath nor pitch a load to save his life?"</p> - -<p>And when they were all for ducking the vermin in the mill-pond, did not -he drive him off to the town in his own cart, and never lose sight of -the agitator till he saw the train safely out of the station with, the -individual well on his road back to town and his employers?</p> - -<p>Ay, there are many of them now who shake their heads, and pointing to -their fellows in the neighbouring counties, say: "If it 'adna been for -our ould Parson we should a' been in the same fettle. Strikes mean<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> -starvation, and when a man's clemmed" (hungry), "and' ain't got no one -but hisself to thank for't, ay begins to look a fule, that ay does."</p> - -<p>Mr. Halston employs three curates, to each of whom he gives a particular -district, and they have every evening to bring in their reports of what -goes on, and what they have done during the day. Eagerly sought after -are these positions, for it is a well-known fact that, after their years -of training at Copthorpe, if they are worth their salt they are pretty -sure to tumble into a good berth. One thing is however made a <i>sine quâ -non</i>—that during their stay they must do their share of work. "Duty -first and pleasure afterwards," is the motto of the Rector, and he sees -that it is strictly carried out.</p> - -<p>Such is a brief description of the man who may be ranked among the best -of sportsmen and truest of friends in Bullshire, or indeed any country -in the world.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p><p>As a man and a friend he is full of the milk of human kindness, -hospitable to a fault, and never so happy himself as when giving -pleasure to others. As a sportsman, a bold and forward rider, yet always -with excellent judgment, displaying as much knowledge of what a fox is -likely to do as if he was being hunted himself; a knowledge of the -country second to none, a capital judge of both horse and hound, and -with a love of hunting that, as I have said, advancing years serve only -to increase.</p> - -<p>Small wonder that when Tom hears <i>his</i> "view holloa" he knows it is -right, and gets forward at once, though there are those who may shout -themselves hoarse without attracting the desired attention. "Parson's -like my old Solomon," says he; "'e never throws his tongue till he's -d——d well certain; but then, by Guy! 'e does let 'em have it."</p> - -<p>Whenever it is possible Mr. Halston goes to cover with the hounds, and -back again in the same company (unless called away by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> parish work) -after the day is over, and dearly does old Tom love those rides and -cheery chats, learning himself, he freely admits, as much as ever he can -teach. See them now both in the centre of the pack, jogging homeward in -the failing light. Says Tom: "That was a straight-necked 'un we had -to-day, sir; but I'm main puzzled what made you guess he'd try them -earths at Billowdon."</p> - -<p>"Well, Tom," replies the Rector, "I argued it out by common sense. -Suppose you'd been hard pressed and knew of a house you could turn into, -wouldn't you go for it?"</p> - -<p>"Yes, but it was turning right into the mouths of the pack. I was -'nation mad when I found 'em open that I hadna ta'en your hint," -continues the Huntsman.</p> - -<p>"Live and learn, Tom; live and learn," laughs the Parson. "You forget -three seasons ago we lost one just in the same place."</p> - -<p>"By Guy! so we did, and I forgot it at the moment. It was the day as -young Mayster Bell jumped atop of Melody; but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> what's become of him, -sir?" asks Tom. "How Sir John did pitch it into him that time to be sure."</p> - -<p>"Oh, he's getting on first rate; he is inspector at the Deep-seam Pits. -I was afraid, though, he was going to the bad at one time. He took a -liking to the bottle; but Bliss's accident cured him," replies Mr. -Halston. "But here we are at the kennels, and I must get on; I want to -ride over to Halstead and see old Widow Greaves; she's a bit ailing; so -good-night, Tom."</p> - -<p>"Good-night, sir; good-night. See you out, I suppose, on Friday at -Fearndale? Sure to find in the wood," says Tom, muttering to himself as -he gets off his horse: "There's one of the best men in the world, danged -if he ain't."</p> - -<p>Mr. Halston is trotting along home, thinking over the events of the day -and a hundred-and-one other things, when he is startled by the sudden -reappearance of old Tom at his side, who, looking rather scared in -answer to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> his inquiry of "What's the matter?" says: "There's been a -fearful accident at the pits, sir; my nephew's just come over. Explosion -or summat; there's five-and-twenty poor chaps blocked up, 'e do say, and -I thought you'd like to know on it."</p> - -<p>Before Tom has well finished speaking, the Parson is urging his horse at -best pace in the direction of the Deep-seam Pit, much to that animal's -disgust. He pulls up at the first cottage he comes to, and, calling out -a boy, sends him off to Copthorpe with a message to say where he has -gone, and they need not expect him home at present, and that his groom -is to ride Jerry over at once to take back his hunter.</p> - -<p>"Look sharp, my lad," says he, tossing the boy a shilling, "and tell -James to bring over my bottles with him—port and brandy—he'll know." -And again he is on his way. On arriving at the scene of the accident he -finds a large crowd of weeping women collected round the pit-mouth, -making <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>"confusion worse confused," and seriously interfering with the -work of salvation.</p> - -<p>Amidst the universal grief and terror he is not noticed at first, but -when men and women simultaneously recognise him, if ever a man had -reason to be proud, surely Mr. Halston is that man, for such a shout is -raised of "Here's t' ould Parson; God bless 'un! we knowed 'e'd come; -it's right now," as tells him plainly the place he holds in the hearts -of these rough men and sorrowing women.</p> - -<p>"Here, take my horse," says he to one of the men; and as Bell comes up -he asks: "What is being done?" "Volunteers for an exploring party," -briefly answers the inspector; and Mr. Halston steps forward and -addresses the crowd.</p> - -<p>"My lads," he says, "I am an old man, and perhaps some of you will think -it ain't my place to go down; but, thank God, I can still wield a pick -with anyone, and with His help we'll get the boys out. No, Mr. Bell," -as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> the inspector tries to dissuade him; "if I ain't much use myself, -they'll work all the better for having their Rector with them. And now -one word to you, my daughters. You can do no good here. Go home, and get -things ready for your husbands against the time we bring them up safe -and sound. Now" (to the engineer) "we are ready. Steady, keep your -breath for work, lads," as cheer after cheer rends the air; and in a few -moments the group of brave volunteers are descending the shaft on their -errand of mercy.</p> - -<p>All through the night they toil, relieving each other in shifts, working -as only men can work when the lives of fellow-creatures depend on their -exertions. The Parson is everywhere, quiet, calm, and collected, -encouraging and directing, yet taking all his share of manual labour.</p> - -<p>Twice he has to be sent to the surface, faint and gasping for breath; -but almost before his absence is detected, he is back again in the -centre of the noble band.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p><p>By 2 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> the first six of the imprisoned miners are found, badly -burned, but still alive; and before the sun has risen the whole of the -twenty-five are restored to their wives, with the exception of three, -whose work in this world is finished for ever.</p> - -<p>Worn out as he is, Mr. Halston stops to comfort as best he can the -fatherless and widow, and then Jerry carries him home. Men miss his -kindly face at Fearndale on the Friday, but they know where he is, for -the story of his heroism spreads far and wide; and when next he appears -in the field, all press forward to do him honour. On the way to their -first draw that day a fox jumps up in the open, and goes straight over -Milston Brook. Tom has his hounds on the line in a crack, and before -anyone has time to look round, three figures are seen sailing away over -the grass on the far side of the water—Tom; Charles the First Whip, -and, in front of all—the Parson.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE DOCTOR.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Never saw such weather or such a season in my life, Sir John. They tell -us that 'a green winter makes a full churchyard,' but the saying doesn't -hold good down here. Why, bless my heart, everybody's out hunting -instead of being ill, and there's nothing for me to do at all."</p> - -<p>"Ah Doctor," replies the Master, laughing, "it's better for us than for -you then; and yet, in the long run, if the truth was known, I expect you -can score more kills than my hounds."</p> - -<p>A busy man is Edward Wilson, Esq., M.D., with an increasing practice -necessitating the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> help of an assistant. Yet so devoted is he to -hunting, that he thinks it a very hard case if he does not manage one -day a-week with the hounds. As he rides up, the picture of robust health -and the pink of neatness, one would scarcely imagine, as one listens to -his chaffing about the weather and the paucity of patients, that he had -had exactly two hours' sleep the night before, and was almost certain to -find a message on his return home, calling him away some seven or eight -miles, with the prospect of another nocturnal vigil. Yet such is the -case. Yesterday afternoon, when he came back from his round, he had said -to Thomas his coachman: "I shall manage a day to-morrow, Thomas; I don't -think there is anything likely to happen, so have old Ladybird ready for -me in the morning. They meet at Willowfield Lodge, and are certain to -draw towards home."</p> - -<p>Just as he was going to bed, a groom from Lorton Towers came galloping -into his yard with an urgent message "As 'ow Doctor wur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> wanted at once; -Lady Slowboy's took bad;" and away he had to go to assist the future -Lord Slowboy on his "first appearance on any stage."</p> - -<p>"Hang it all; she might have put it off," he said to himself as he -buttoned his coat; "but I'm not going to lose my day's hunting for fifty -heirs of Lorton;" and at 5.30 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span>, the ceremony being over, before -turning in he gave orders that he was to be called at half-past seven, -and at half-past ten he arrives, as we see him, hale and hearty, at -Willowfield Lodge.</p> - -<p>Very well mounted is the Doctor, for he knows a horse when he sees one; -and though he only keeps two—or rather, as he himself puts it, "one and -a half" (the second one having to take him occasionally on professional -trips)—they are both something above the average, and when hounds are -running, Ladybird or Precipitate, the two horses, are pretty nearly -certain to be seen in the van. It does not require a second glance at -the keen<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span> eyes, the determined mouth, wreathed in a cheery smile, and -the strong nervous hands, to show that before one is a man of iron will.</p> - -<p>Prompt of decision, quick at diagnosing disease, with a heart full of -sympathy for suffering, yet never faltering when forced to resort to the -knife, Edward Wilson has made a name for himself second to none in that -part of England. Indeed, over and over again his old friend and patron, -Sir George Fennel, the great London physician, has urged him to migrate -to town; but his answer is always the same:</p> - -<p>"Couldn't live through one season. I must be in the fresh air; and if I -did not see hounds now and then, I should pine away. Besides, I should -miss all my old friends in Bullshire so; and as for fame, old Widow -Fletcher and John Billings the blacksmith would not believe you if you -told them there was a cleverer man than myself living! Poor souls! it -shows their ignorance; but what more can I want?"</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p><p>The Doctor is quite right. Among the poor he and the Parson run a -neck-and-neck race for popularity. Perhaps from the fact of being -associated with that, to them, great mystery—medicine—the Doctor is -held in greater awe; but they all remember how, hand-in-hand, the two -fought death in the fever-time; and the great authorities I have -mentioned—the widow and the blacksmith—assert that "Doctor ay does -know summat about rheumatiz; ay's got some stuff as sends it away all in -a jiff like."</p> - -<p>It is fifteen years ago since Edward Wilson, then five-and-twenty, came -down to Bullshire as assistant to old Dr. Johnstone. He rather -astonished the methodical old practitioner with his theories, for the -young Doctor, whose whole soul was in his profession, had read deeply -and judiciously, and was far in advance of the old-fashioned routine of -blood-letting, cupping, and Epsom salts.</p> - -<p>At first folks shook their heads, and muttered "Quackery;" but one or -two bad<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> cases, which had been given over as hopeless by the principal, -being successfully pulled through by the assistant, they began to think -that after all there was something in the young fellow; and the surgical -skill he displayed when, together with every other available medical -man, he was called to the scene of the fearful railway accident at -Billingdon, confirmed their opinion.</p> - -<p>A year after this, old Johnstone died suddenly, and Wilson, after a -brisk competition, bought his practice. Directly he felt himself his own -master, he allowed his ideas a free scope, and consequently in a very -short time his undoubted talent made itself known throughout the -country-side, and the practice increased so enormously that, young and -energetic as he was, he found it necessary to take an assistant, -choosing after much deliberation the son of an old college chum and -fellow-student.</p> - -<p>"Why, Doctor, who'd have thought of seeing you to-day? I thought you -were at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> Lorton all last night," exclaims Mr. Noble, Lord Slowboy's -agent, who rides up as Sir John finishes his repartee.</p> - -<p>"So I was, Noble," replies our M.D., "but her ladyship, I am thankful to -say, let me off at half-past five; and, as I was just telling Sir John, -there being nothing else for me to do this weather, I thought I would -come out on the chance of a job in the field."</p> - -<p>"I hope you may be disappointed, then, for once. What a blood-thirsty -villain! Did you ever hear such a thing, Boulter?" says the Master to -the Secretary, who has just arrived on a new steed.</p> - -<p>"Hear what?" rejoins that worthy.</p> - -<p>"Why," continues Sir John, "the Doctor here says he saw you pass his -window on that new horse, and has come out to follow in your wake all -day, as he feels convinced you will break your neck, leg, or arm, or do -something which he can turn into a fee."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>"Don't you believe it," interrupts Mr. Wilson with a laugh; "it would -not pay me to mend you, for directly you got well you'd be dunning me -for a subscription, and I might whistle for my fees. But look at Tom; he -evidently thinks it is time to be moving. Who-ho, old lady" (to his -horse), "who-ho," as old Tom, having got the signal, trots by with the -pack, and, lifting his cap in response to the Doctor's greeting, says:</p> - -<p>"Main glad to see you out, Doctor; hope we shall find a good 'un for you."</p> - -<p>In a few minutes the hounds are thrown in, and Mr. Wilson finds himself -with Mr. Halston (the clergyman) and Charles at a convenient corner of -the covert. As bad luck will have it, though, the fox breaks away on the far side.</p> - -<p>"Bless my soul, this is rough," exclaims the Doctor; "come on;" and -putting old Ladybird at the fence he goes crashing through the wood, -followed by his two companions. As they emerge on the other side<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> they -see the hounds streaming away some three fields off below them, and have -the satisfaction of knowing that for once they have got as bad a start -as could well be.</p> - -<p>"It's for Blessington Osiers," says Charles. "If we cut across to the -left and over the brook we shall hit it off."</p> - -<p>"You are right, Charles," rejoins the Parson. "What do you say, Wilson?"</p> - -<p>"For'ard on, then," replies the Doctor; and the trio gallop off almost -in a contrary direction to the hounds. They negotiate the water in -safety, and pull up by the side of the Osiers just as the hunted fox -enters them. Charles rides off to the bottom end to view him through, -and as Tom comes up with the pack his "Tailly-ho, for'ard a-w-a-i-y!" -proclaims the fact that Reynard has not found Blessington a place of rest.</p> - -<p>"Why, where the deuce have you arrived from?" is the universal question -asked by all the field.</p> - -<p>"Home," says the Doctor with a chuckle,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> as he sets Ladybird going now -in her proper place—in the front rank—and swings over a nasty fence -with a double ditch. As he lands on the other side he notices the -Secretary's nephew, a young lad who is riding a chestnut that is -evidently as much as the boy can manage, and as his eye falls on the -stiff timber which appears at the far end of the field he wonders what -will happen. "Don't go too fast at the rails, my boy," he says. "Steady. -My G—d, what a smash!" as the impetuous brute rushes at the fence, and, -breasting the top rail, turns a regular somersault, throwing the boy, -luckily, clear of him.</p> - -<p>The Doctor is off his horse in a moment, and hounds and hunting are -forgotten as he kneels by the side of the pale little face, supporting -the lad's head on his breast, and feeling with professional skill for -any injury.</p> - -<p>"Stand back, gentlemen, please," he exclaims, as some of the field -collect round.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> "Give the boy air. There's nothing wrong beyond a slight -shock and a broken arm. Ah Boulter, don't be alarmed," as the Secretary -rides up. "Get him in a cart, and drive him home. I'll be round and set -his arm directly."</p> - -<p>"I'm all right, uncle," says the nephew, who has revived after a pull at -the Doctor's flask. "Let me go on."</p> - -<p>"No, my boy, you can't go on. You've broken your arm, and will have to -be quiet for a bit," replies Mr. Boulter.</p> - -<p>"What a bore!" ejaculates the lad; but adds, with a twinkle in his eye, -"You'll have to pay Doctor Wilson a fee after all, uncle."</p> - -<p>Everybody laughs at this, and the Doctor mutters under his breath: -"That's what I call pluck." Then, trotting off home to fetch his -paraphernalia, he is at The Grange almost as soon as the invalid. After -making him comfortable, the Doctor has to go off on other errands of -mercy, and as he drives the seven miles to visit his next patient, he -tells Thomas<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> that he is sorry to have missed the end of the run, but if -anything could repay him it is the amount of pluck shown by the -Secretary's little nephew.</p> - -<p>Once a year he takes a two months' holiday, in July and August, when he, -together with three old college chums, may be seen clad in blue serge -and drinking in great draughts of health on the deck of the yacht which -belongs to the eldest of them. They generally wind up with a fortnight -at the grouse, and then the Doctor returns to Bullshire with renewed -life and with a fund of anecdote and adventures by sea and land, to hear -him relate which is as good for a sick man as any of the prescriptions -which he writes in his peculiarly neat handwriting.</p> - -<p>Wherever he goes, castle or cottage, hall or homestead, his presence -always cheers and lights up the sick-room, and Doctor Wilson's visit is -looked forward to by the invalid as the pleasantest bit of his long day.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE DEALERS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Yes, sir, he's a niceish little horse, up to a goodish bit of weight -too, and carries a lady. My daughter rides him often, and she says he's -as handy as a kitten."</p> - -<p>There is nothing very remarkable about the speaker, and but for the -undeniable bit of "good stuff" he is riding, one would scarcely notice -him in the crowd assembled at the meet.</p> - -<p>As he turns half round to make the foregoing remark, allowing his right -hand to rest on his horse's flank, a dark bay of wondrous shape, one may -perhaps be struck with the peculiar look of shrewdness displayed in his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> -eyes, and notice the ease with which he sits in his saddle; but beyond -that there is nothing at first sight to mark a difference from any other -man in the field.</p> - -<p>But Mr. James Holden the Dealer, more generally known as Old Jimmy -Holden, is something out of the common.</p> - -<p>First, he is one of the best judges of a horse in England, with some -forty years' experience to back him.</p> - -<p>Secondly, he is a man of the keenest perception. In two seconds he will -sum you up as well as if he had been acquainted with you for a lifetime, -and knows intuitively at a glance how much you are "good for."</p> - -<p>Thirdly, he is one of the best and neatest riders imaginable, with a -supreme contempt for such superfluous matter as nerves. Being possessed -of hands of silk and will of iron, he can hand a raw young 'un over the -stiffest country in the hunt, and make him perform as well as a -thoroughly seasoned hunter.</p> - -<p>Lastly, he is absolutely trustworthy—that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> is to say, if you tell him -that you want a horse and cannot afford more than such-and-such a sum, -he will supply you with the best article that can be got for the money, -frankly telling you any defects, and leaving himself but a fair margin -of profit. If, however, a purchaser thinks himself very knowing and pits -himself against Jimmy Holden, it is long odds that that bumptious -individual, the purchaser, will find himself in the wrong box, for Jimmy -takes a pleasure in getting what he calls "six to four the best of a -knowing card."</p> - -<p>He displays a vast amount of <i>esprit de corps</i> concerning his own hunt, -always keeping the pick of the bunch for some of his Bullshire -customers. "You see," he says with a smile, "I meet them all out in the -field, and if I was to come across any of my gents riding one of my -'osses that I knew to be a bad 'un, why I could not say good-morning -with a free conscience or a light heart. That horse would be always -staring me in the face, and making me uncomfortable."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p><p>To outsiders, however, he does not always show so much compunction, as -the following anecdote will show. There was a young cotton lord who one -season came down to stay with one of the members of the Bullshire for a -month's hunting, and, being in want of a horse, was advised to go to Mr. -Holden. Exceedingly knowing in matters of horseflesh did this young -gentleman consider himself, and as he was rolling in wealth he also gave -himself pretty considerable airs.</p> - -<p>Accordingly he despatched the following epistle to Freshfield, where -Jimmy's house and stables were situated: "Mr. Tinsel, being in want of a -hunter, and hearing that James Holden is an honest dealer, will thank -him to bring over two or three for his inspection to-morrow to The -Shrubbery. Mr. Tinsel begs to say he requires a good horse and not a -screw."</p> - -<p>Now old Jimmy Holden was not accustomed to this sort of thing. He had, -with his father before him, become quite an institution in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -Bullshire country, and everybody knowing what a right-down good -sportsman he was, always treated him more as an equal than anything -else, or at all events with respect and in good-fellowship. Indeed it -was considered rather a privilege to buy one of his horses, and his -company in the field was always sought after, where his fund of anecdote -and quaint humour were wont to keep everybody in a roar. Therefore it -may be imagined that the letter rubbed him up the wrong way in no slight -degree, and not a word did he vouchsafe in reply.</p> - -<p>The next time the hounds met, Mr. Tinsel, who was riding one of his -friend's horses, came up to him and said, in a most offensive way: "You -are Holden, the horse-dealer, ain't you?"</p> - -<p>"My name is Holden, sir," replied old Jimmy, looking over the top of the -young snob's head.</p> - -<p>"Well, then, why the devil did not you answer my letter? I want a horse, -and told you to bring me over two or three to look at,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span> continued young -Manchester. "Is that your sort of way of doing business? because it -ain't mine."</p> - -<p>"I presume, sir, your name is Tinsel. If so, I beg to inform you that I -am not in the habit of bringing over horses for strangers to look at. If -you like to drive over to Freshfield, my foreman will show you one at my -stables," said Jimmy, and straightway rode off fuming, while a visible -smile was seen on the faces of all those within hearing.</p> - -<p>"Sell him The Baron," said two or three of them; "it will serve him -right."</p> - -<p>The Baron was a grand-looking beast, whose appearance had deceived the -wily James into buying him over in the "Land of the Shamrock;" but with -his good looks his virtues came to an end, for he was without exception -the veriest brute to ride imaginable, being a confirmed bolter, with no -mouth, and with an awkward habit, if he did manage to get rid of his -rider, of rushing at him open-mouthed, or else trying to kick his brains -out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span> He had been tried at everything, but it was always the same, -whether in saddle or harness; he was a regular man-eating savage.</p> - -<p>Hitherto Holden had refused absolutely to part with him, though he had -had more than one offer; but so outraged were his feelings on this -occasion that he took the advice given, and Mr. Tinsel shortly became -the owner of The Baron in exchange for a cheque for two hundred pounds.</p> - -<p>It must be owned that at the last moment Jimmy relented, and told the -young gentleman he had better not buy; but with the obstinacy of -ignorance Tinsel insisted on the bargain, and so had his way.</p> - -<p>The result was a foregone conclusion. The first day he took him out the -brute ran away with him for six miles straight on end, jumping into the -river to wind up with, from which predicament Mr. Tinsel was rescued -just in time to save him from a watery grave.</p> - -<p>The Baron emerged safely on the far side, and when caught was there and -then despatched<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> to town for sale without reserve, being followed in a -couple of days by his owner. This, however, happened some years ago, and -Jimmy Holden does not care to say very much about it now.</p> - -<p>As the hounds move off, one of the field, a Mr. Briggs, finds it -impossible to help breaking the tenth commandment and coveting the -little bay, and when he sees the easy way in which the animal pops over -the stiff rails out of the big grass-meadow, making as little of them as -if they were a flight of hurdles, while he himself has been in vain -looking all round for a convenient gate, the covetous desire increases, -and a settled determination takes possession of him to become the owner -or perish in the attempt.</p> - -<p>Meanwhile Jimmy has noted all this, and though that jump seemed so -carelessly and easily done, he well knows the value of it, and is quite -prepared to hear Mr. Briggs say, as he does: "Is that bay for sale, -Holden?"</p> - -<p>"All my horses are for sale, sir," he replies<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> with a smile; adding, -after a pause, "at a price."</p> - -<p>Thereupon Briggs tries to look as if he was not the least interested in -the matter, and accordingly shows most plainly how anxious he is to buy. -"Oh, ah, yes," says he, "he seems likely to make a hunter. How much do -you ask?"</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, seeing that you are an old customer, I will let you have him -at a hundred and twenty; but take my advice, Mr. Briggs, and when you -are buying don't show as you're so sweet on the animal; it's as good as -putting another five-and-twenty guineas on the price. However, you shall -try him the day after to-morrow, and if you like the horse, which I am -sure you will, you can have him at the price I said."</p> - -<p>Needless to say Mr. Briggs <i>does</i> like him, and a piece of paper signed -with his name transfers one hundred and twenty guineas to the account of -James Holden at the local bank, though it must be confessed that the -little bay<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> does not perform quite so brilliantly under his new master's -guidance as he did on the occasion when the exhibition at the rails so -delighted his heart.</p> - -<p class="space-above">It was not to be supposed that Jimmy Holden would be left for ever in -undisputed possession of such a lucrative position as dealer-in-ordinary -to the Bullshire Hunt, and at one time there was quite an influx of -veterinary surgeons, job-masters, and copers of all sorts; but they all -dropped off and disappeared with the exception of one individual, who -was a constant thorn in Jimmy's side, and whom he hated with a hate -surpassing that of women (the inverse applies equally to the fair sex, -love and hatred both being qualities they excel in).</p> - -<p>He was named Seaford—Captain Seaford he called himself, though the Army -List was innocent and silent as to his name or his regiment.</p> - -<p>"A nasty, snivelling, horse-coping snob,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> was Jimmy's verdict; "brings -discredit on the profession, and makes people think as we're all -rogues."</p> - -<p>There was a deal of truth in this, for Seaford was as big a scamp as -ever doctored a broken-winded nag or bishoped an old stager. Now and -then he had a good horse, but it was the exception; and when such an -accident did happen it was a wonder that he ever managed to shut his -mouth again, so wide did he open it.</p> - -<p>Farmer Simms used to say on those occasions: "Ay could see right through -un' like a telescope."</p> - -<p>A most plausible scoundrel is he notwithstanding, and if he manages to -get hold of some new-comer he will stick to him like a leech till he has -screwed something out of him. Of course he hunts, and equally of course -he arrives rather late, not being over fond of letting his wares get -cool—and stiff—at the meet.</p> - -<p>He is mounted, perhaps, on a <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>raking-looking chestnut mare. There is a -good deal of "furniture" about her, such as breast-plate and martingale; -the throat-strap is broad, and the band across the forehead is blue and -white enamel. That the mare can jump there is no doubt, for she sails -over the big bank and ditch in rare form, and for two or three fields -(Captain) Seaford is in front. After a little he is to be seen on -another animal, which, when there are enough people round to see, can -perform nearly as well as the chestnut, who is now on her way home. If -anyone happens to meet her they will be somewhat surprised to see how -lame she goes. "Run a nail into 'er 'oof," is the groom's version; but -an F.R.C.V.S. would be puzzled to find that nail, and his certificate -would show the lameness to proceed from a very different cause.</p> - -<p>It is a marvel how Seaford manages to "pick up" so many flats, but he -does a thriving trade; and though occasionally he has to square an -unpleasant business, he has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> always a plausible tale ready to hand, and -so comes out with merely a scratch on his somewhat shady character.</p> - -<p>Once he outdid himself, and was as nearly put in prison as ever he -wishes to be. It happened as follows. One evening, late, a couple of -fur-capped individuals brought a horse into his yard and asked him if he -would buy. A glance showed him the animal was valuable, and the price -asked being only twenty pounds Seaford naturally concluded that it was a -stolen one. However, he argued, it was nothing to do with him, and -bought it there and then. Next day the police found it in his stables, -and hard work it was for the Freshfield lawyer to prevent the -magistrates committing the gallant Captain as a receiver of stolen -goods.</p> - -<p>The reason for his having incurred Jimmy's hatred is because he was -sharp enough once, soon after he had come into the country, to sell him -a broken-winded nag; and Jimmy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> never hears the last of it to this day. -However, he swears he will be "even with the scamp yet," and being a man -of his word there is little doubt but that he will.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE GRUMBLER.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>A very enthusiastic individual is Mr. Bowles, J.P., or, as he is more -generally called, The Major, from his connection with the local -Volunteer force, which, it may almost be said, he founded. Liberal with -his money, and at heart a good fellow and keen sportsman, his one great -failing is the use, or abuse, of that Englishman's acknowledged -privilege—grumbling.</p> - -<p>He is never happy unless he is finding fault with something or somebody. -No matter what it is, the stars in their courses have always conspired -against him personally, or some unfortunate person has done the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> very -thing they should not have done, and so brought the matter in hand to -utter grief.</p> - -<p>Of course if they had listened to the Major everything would have -progressed swimmingly; but as his opinions were seldom given until the -fiasco had occurred (if occur it did), and even then were -conflicting—not to say contradictory—recourse was seldom had to that -fount of advice. It is generally whispered in Bullshire that when -Bowles, after an infinity of trouble and expense, managed to inspire a -certain amount of military enthusiasm sufficient for the formation of -the corps of Bullshire Rifles, he refused to accept the command of them, -in order that he might afterwards be able to say:</p> - -<p>"Just like my luck; took all the trouble of getting the thing up, and -then they go and put in a man over my head. A man, sir, who does not -know his right hand from his left; a duffer, sir; a rank impostor, who -calls himself Colonel, and is as ignorant of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>drill-book as—— But, -there; it's always the same."</p> - -<p>As a magistrate and justice of the peace he is equally aggrieved. -Witnesses somehow never can give their evidence in a straightforward -manner, and the decisions of the Bench afford him vast scope for -criticism. "Never heard of such a thing," he will tell you. "Man brought -up for poaching. Found with a gun, going along the road. Asked what he -was doing. Said he was taking it to be mended. Would you believe it? -They dismissed the case, notwithstanding all I could say. Gave him the -benefit of the doubt, sir; and they call that justice, by Heaven!"</p> - -<p>It is no use pointing out that ample evidence was produced at the -inquiry to show that the man's story was correct, he was taking the gun -to be mended, and an over-zealous local policeman had, as is by no means -unusual, exceeded his duty. The Major will reply that he knows, and if -the magistrates don't choose to exercise their powers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> every loafer in -Bullshire will be carrying a gun to be mended.</p> - -<p>A stranger would naturally suppose from this that Mr. Bowles was not -blessed with much heart; but he would be wrong. For it is a well-known -fact that often when, in his official capacity, he has been forced to -fine some poor devil who had been "looking on the wine when it was -red"—or rather the beer when it was amber—and the sight had been too -much for him, the Major, after the bench had dispersed, would drive -round to the delinquent's cottage and gladden the sorrowing wife by -putting into her hand double the amount of the fine that had been inflicted.</p> - -<p>In the hunting-field he is looked upon as a standing joke, and if there -are signs of a cover being blank, or a long wait at a cold corner, there -is sure to be a party made up to "draw" the Major, the best of it being -that he never sees men are laughing at him, but lays down the law, and -abuses, condemns, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> complains with the utmost heartiness and -volubility.</p> - -<p>Though a good horseman and forward rider, he never knows one horse from -another if they are anything at all alike in colour; and it is the same -with dogs. If you were to put any of his own retrievers along with some -others, and ask him to point out those which belonged to him, he could -not do it to save his life. Two rather funny incidents happened to him -from this cause, the first with a horse, and the second concerning a dog.</p> - -<p>One season he had a particularly good-looking bay, but finding it too -hot for him he determined to sell, and so sent it up to London to a -dealer, whom, when old Jimmy Holden had nothing that suited, he was wont -to employ, getting a hundred guineas for it. A short time after he went -to town himself, and going to the same man's yard was struck with the -appearance of a good-looking bay, and bought it at a hundred and forty -guineas. When the horse came down to his stables the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> stud-groom came in -and said to him: "Why, sir, you didn't tell me as how you'd bought The -Prince again."</p> - -<p>"Prince, you fool," replied the Major; "I've not bought The Prince."</p> - -<p>But he had, and had also paid forty guineas, besides railway fares, for -the animal's trip to London and back.</p> - -<p>The other affair, though perhaps almost telling more against himself, -was not so expensive. He had given his friend, Lord Acres, a black -retriever with a high character and a long pedigree, and had made no -little parade of the gift. A few weeks afterwards he was shooting at -Home Wood (Acres' place), and the dog was out. According to his usual -custom, Bowles was grumbling at everything; guns, birds, cartridges, -weather, and his servant all came in for their share. At last he pitched -on the dog, and turning to his host during the process of lunch, he -said: "Can't think, Acres, where you manage to pick up your dogs! Look -at that mongrel brute there. Never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> saw such a beast in my life. He's -only fit to run behind a butcher's cart."</p> - -<p>"Why, Major," replied his lordship, roaring with laughter, "that's -looking a gift-horse in the mouth with a vengeance. It's your own dog -that you gave me."</p> - -<p>Bowles acknowledges now that for once in his life he wishes he had not spoken.</p> - -<p class="space-above">It is a beautiful morning for hunting. The late frost—which, though it -lasted but a week, was sharp—is well out of the ground, and everybody -who owns anything with four legs, besides a number who are dependent on -their own, have turned out with the hounds at Mickleborough Green.</p> - -<p>The landlord of The Three Bells, that quaint old inn—with its remains -of past glories, as shown by its spacious coach-stables—which stands -back from the road facing the green, is doing a roaring trade; and -Lizzie the barmaid says her "arms do just ache a-drawing the beer." The -hounds gathered round old<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> Tom on the green, with pink coats dotted here -and there, present as pretty a picture as one could wish to see. All are -in high spirits and congratulating each other and themselves on the -change in the weather and the prospects of a run. Chaff is flying thick -about "the old mare's big leg," or "the lucky thing the frost was for -that young horse who was pulled out on all occasions;" and old Tom comes -in for his share, being told that "both the hounds and himself look as -if they had been doing themselves well on those non-hunting -days—waistcoat buttons a bit tight, eh Tom?" and such-like banter.</p> - -<p>Presently, along the road the Major appears, in company with Mr. Boulter -the Secretary, and young Earnshaw, who is learning farming—by hunting -four days a-week—with Mr. Noble.</p> - -<p>"Here's Bowles," say two or three sportsmen; "he can't find much to -grumble at to-day, anyhow."</p> - -<p>As he rides up they greet him with a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> hearty "Good-morning, Major; -lovely day, isn't it?"</p> - -<p>"Lovely day? Lovely fiddlestick!" is the reply. "Up to your neck in mud. -Country so heavy you can't ride, and then of all places to pick out -Mickleborough! Why, the water will be out all over the bottom. But -there, it's always the same. I told Lappington he ought to meet at the -Kennels; but nobody ever listens to me."</p> - -<p>"Well, but Bowles," interrupts the Secretary; "we met at the Kennels the -last fixture before the frost."</p> - -<p>"And you ought to meet the first day after. By Heavens, I'd meet every -day there till the country was fit to ride," grumbles the Major. "Look -at the hounds too. Why, Tom must have got the whole pack out, and -borrowed some besides. Now I ask you, can we expect any sport with such -a pack as that? 'Pon my soul the Hunt's going to the devil."</p> - -<p>"Short of work, Major; must give 'em a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span> bit of exercise," puts in the -Huntsman, as Bowles rides off to anathematise the landlord of The Three -Bells, for presuming to offer him a glass of "d——d muddy home-brewed," -calling, however, for a second edition of the same. By this time the -Master has arrived and there is a general bustle, a tightening of -girths, a shortening of stirrups, and the usual preparations for a -start. The word goes round that the first draw will be Mickleborough -Wood, and Tom with the hounds is already on his way there before it -reaches the ear of the Major, at that moment engaged in an altercation -with his servant, who, according to Bowles, has put a wrong bridle on -his second horse, but, according to the man himself, has only obeyed his -master's instructions.</p> - -<p>No sooner does he hear the appointed place than he gives up the bridle -argument, and making his way to where the Master and others are trotting -down the lane, commences: "You don't mean to say, Lappington, you're -going to put them into the Wood? Why, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> shall never get away, and the -rides will be impassable. My good sir, just think. Here, some of you -fellows, try and persuade him, he never listens to me, nobody ever -does;" adding, under his breath, "never heard such d——d folly in my -life."</p> - -<p>"Why, Bowles," replies Sir John, laughing, "you said a minute ago that -the bottoms would be under water, and now you object to the high ground. -Where would you go to, you old growler?"</p> - -<p>"Growler be hanged: I never grumble. But it is a little bit too much, -when one comes out for a day's hunting, to be turned loose into a forest -of trees growing on a bog. The man who planted Mickleborough Wood ought -to have been hung," says Bowles.</p> - -<p>What more he might have added will never be known, for at this instant a -ringing view holloa is heard, and the hounds are away full cry, a fox -having jumped up in a spinney on the road to the Wood.</p> - -<p>"Just like my luck," the Major is heard<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> to ejaculate, as he puts his -nag at the fence out of the lane. "Whenever I try and give anybody -advice they tell me I am growling. Hold up, you awkward devil," to his -horse, who pecks a bit on landing. "And here have I been wasting my time -teaching a pack of idiots how to hunt the country, and lost my start."</p> - -<p>After running hard for a quarter of an hour, the hounds check in a road, -half the pack having flashed over the line.</p> - -<p>Here the Major is in his glory, and holds forth. "What did I say this -morning? If they will bring out every hound in the kennel, how can they -expect them to hunt. Look there, now; look there. What the devil's the -use of taking them up the road? The fox is for'ard, I'll wager. 'Pon my -oath, I believe old Tom is getting past his work. There's that young -ass, Simms, too, messing about—always in the way. I should like to know -how he finds time to hunt. Every farmer seems to be able to do -everything nowadays, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> when they want to pay their corn-bill they cry -out about the weather and ask for a reduction of rent."</p> - -<p>"Not quite so bad as all that, Major," exclaim one or two farmers, who -think it time to stick up for their characters. "Not quite so bad as all -that. We likes to ride as well as anyone, and we likes to see others -enjoy themselves over our land. But there, we know you don't mean it."</p> - -<p>Just then, as if to convict the Major, Harbinger hits off the line up -the road, and they are away again a cracker, Bowles coming in for plenty -of chaff about the fox being for'ard and Tom being past his work.</p> - -<p>To give him his due, he was right when he blamed the country, for it is -precious heavy, and plenty of grief is the order of the day. The scent, -too, improving, with every hundred yards, it becomes hard work to live -with them. Sir John, as usual, is well up, and a few others are close in -his wake, among them Bowles, whose coat, by-the-way, shows evident -signs<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> of contact with mother-earth—a catastrophe that was brought -about, he says, "by the idiotic way that people mend their fences, with -a great rail run through them."</p> - -<p>However, when, after an hour and ten minutes, they run to ground, even -he is fain to allow that they have had a real good thing, though he -qualifies the admission with a few scathing remarks on the slovenly way -in which the earths are stopped: "A disgrace to the country, by Heaven!"</p> - -<p>Riding home he asks a few men to dinner the next day at his house, -amongst them Sir John Lappington and Mr. Wilson the Doctor—in case of -accidents, he says. His invitation is eagerly accepted, for his dinners -are proverbial and his wine undeniable. To see him at his own table you -would scarcely know him again for the same man. The grumbling has all -been got over before the guests arrive; and as you drive home—with that -comfortable feeling of having dined well, wisely, and in pleasant -company—you bear away a cheerful<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> remembrance of witty sayings and -thorough good-fellowship, of a countenance beaming with fun, and stories -which, if you wake in the night and think of, will cause you to laugh afresh.</p> - -<p>Nearly all these happy feelings and memories you may safely put down to -the skill of your host the Major, whose sole failing, as I have said, -lies in the fact that, from habit, in the field, he has become a Grumbler.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND RIDES.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>Wildmere House is a favourite meet with the Bullshire, consequently -there is always a large field out at that fixture, every class of -sportsman being represented, both those who mean business and those who -merely come to partake of the good cheer offered them, and afterwards, -when hounds begin to run, retire into the background, unless, indeed, -some handy highroad lies parallel to the chase, when they reappear, -splashed with mud, and enthusiastic <i>ad nauseam</i>.</p> - -<p>Most hospitable of entertainers is Colonel Talford, who occupies The -House; and with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> his pretty wife to assist him, there is little fear of -any complaints being heard as to the quality or quantity of the -breakfast. Equally certain is old Tom that a real straight-necked -good-hearted fox is ready for him either in the Home Wood or Ravenshill -Copse, for the Colonel makes it a rule with his keepers that there shall -be foxes, and they know well that his rules are like the laws of the -Medes and Persians—unalterable.</p> - -<p>"No foxes, no keepers," is what he says; and if the quarry is not -forthcoming, unless a very good reason can be given, go they have to.</p> - -<p>He once came upon Velveteens in the act of burying a fox that he had -trapped and knocked on the head—or, to be more accurate, Mrs. Talford, -who was riding back from the Dairy Farm, saw the funeral going on, and -told her husband. The man was a new keeper, who had been with him barely -a month, and as a keeper was considered quite first-class. But there and -then the Colonel<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> went out, had the fox dug up, and made the man take it -over to Sir John Lappington, riding himself all the way behind him to -see that he did it.</p> - -<p>Through the main street of the village they went in procession, the men -(for it was evening) turning out and hooting the unfortunate vulpecide; -and when he had delivered his burden and apologised, the Colonel said: -"Now you can go back and pack up your things; this is your last day in -my service." His wages were paid that night, and in spite of all -entreaties, the next day he left Colonel Talford and Bullshire for ever.</p> - -<p>It is a lovely morning as Tom rides up with his beauties in front of the -house, and, saluting the host and hostess, tosses off the glass of -sparkling ale that is handed to him. There had been a catch of frost on -the Monday, and folks learned in weather-lore had predicted a hard time; -but nothing came of it, for a shower of rain on Tuesday night had -utterly routed the destroyer of sport; and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> on the Thursday at Wildmere -it is as fine a hunting-day as one could wish—if anything perhaps a -shade too warm.</p> - -<p>"We must give them a few minutes, Sir John," says Mrs. Talford to the -Master, who has just arrived. "The Melton train is late, and there are -always a few who honour us on this occasion by trying to cut us all down."</p> - -<p>"Certainly, Mrs. Talford," replies Lappington, smiling and taking out -his watch. "We will give them a quarter of an hour; but you need not be -so fearfully sarcastic about the Meltonians. I think it is generally the -other way. If I remember rightly, I have seen a lady on a horse called -Queen Bee who generally requires a great deal of cutting down, and I -have heard it said that this same lady is impossible to beat."</p> - -<p>"Nonsense, Sir John; you know that if I do manage to get over the -country it is all the Queen's doing, not mine. She's a dear, is not she? -But come in and have something; my husband wants to see you about -drawing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> Copse first," rejoins Mrs. Talford, leading the way into -the dining-room, and evidently pleased at the Master's flattery.</p> - -<p>In a quarter of an hour, the Melton detachment having come up, the -signal is given to move, and a long cavalcade trot off for Ravenshill. A -minute or two later two horses are seen cantering across the grass to -catch up the hounds; one carries Colonel Talford, and the other (the -redoubtable Queen Bee) his wife.</p> - -<p>As they come up and press forward to where Tom's white head is seen -bobbing in the middle of the pack, men point her out, and you hear a -whisper of "There she is, that's her—riding the same horse too; by -Jove, old fellow, it's all very well to say 'only a woman,' but if you -can beat her you'll do. Why, the last time we met here she cut us all -down and hung us up to dry; only rode one horse all day. Dick Valpy had -three out, and you know how he can ride; but I'm blessed if he didn't -get nearly drowned in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> the brook, while she sailed over it as if it was -nothing. We'd been running for forty minutes then, but she can save her -horse as well as ride, I can tell you."</p> - -<p>Some who have not seen her express their doubts, and vow that "No woman -ever beat them yet, and, by gad, sir, they never shall;" but they do not -know Mrs. Talford or Queen Bee, and before the day is over they will -tell another tale.</p> - -<p>Yet you would never take her for a hard rider, though anyone at a glance -can see she is a finished horsewoman. Nothing could possibly be quieter -than her turn-out. A well-fitting, well-cut, rough cloth habit, rather -short; a neat white silk handkerchief tied and folded round a high -stand-up linen collar, just showing, like a man's scarf, where the habit -is made with a step; a small black felt hat, of the kind known as a -"billycock," covering her well-shaped head, the hair of which is -gathered into a small knot behind; while in her hand she carries a -hunting-crop, made of a holly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> that she herself cut from the lawn in -front of the house.</p> - -<p>Her seat is easy yet firm, and very square on her saddle. Those small -hands too, which look as if they could hurt no living thing, can hold -and control a puller with wondrous power, a fact her horses seem to -recognise directly she takes up the reins of her bridle, for they go so -quietly under her hand that one is forced to wonder what it was that -made them fret and tear in such a disagreeable way when Mrs. A—— or -Lady B—— claimed them for their own, in the days before they found -that they were "too much for them," and had to sell them to the Colonel -at a discount.</p> - -<p>With all this, as she, having ranged up alongside of the pack, pulls up -Queen Bee into a trot, and pats the neck of that more than perfect -animal, one cannot help a feeling of astonishment that so slight and -delicate-looking a woman should be able to go so hard; and in our inmost -hearts we feel that if we could lay claim to half as straight a course -as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> Mrs. Talford we should not hide our light quite so much under a -bushel as she does.</p> - -<p>They are close to the Copse now, and Mrs. Talford and the Colonel slip -down to the far side with Charles; the right of proprietorship allowing -this, which is courteously yet firmly forbidden to the rest of the -field.</p> - -<p>"Gentlemen," says the Master, "for your own sport I wish the whole of -the left side and bottom of the covert kept free. It's a clear start -either way, therefore I must beg you not to get for'ard. Give the fox a -chance, and then, so long as you don't ride over the hounds, go as you like."</p> - -<p>Someone suggests that the Colonel and his wife have gone down to the -bottom, whereupon Sir John shuts him up by saying: "That, sir, is only -another reason why nobody else should go. When we draw your coverts we -will allow you to go where you like, and keep the rest out of your way."</p> - -<p>As the individual happens to be a gentleman who has only that season -come down to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> Bullshire, and has not subscribed as yet to the hounds, -the remark causes a general titter, and the man wishes he had not spoken.</p> - -<p>His discomfiture is, however, of short duration, for at this instant the -hounds find, and from the chorus and way they rattle him up and down the -covert it is clear that they are not far behind their fox. Two rings -round the Wood and he finds it too hot to hold him, so away he goes -across the slope in full view of the whole field.</p> - -<p>"Hold hard one moment, gentlemen," shouts the Master, as Tom, horn in -hand, tops the wood fence, and claps the hounds on to the line.</p> - -<p>"Now"—and a hundred or more horses are rattling down the hill towards -the fence at the bottom.</p> - -<p>Some visibly diminish their pace as they near the obstacle, and some -make a determined point to the gate in the corner, which a friendly -yeoman is holding open. But there is little time to notice all this, for -the pace is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> a cracker, and the scent is breast-high. Two or three loose -horses are careering about the next field, and two or three dismounted -riders are running after them.</p> - -<p>"Catch hold, sir," says young Simms, as he stops one of the horses and -delivers him up to his owner; "catch hold—I can't stop;" and he is over -the next bank and ditch before the spilt one has recovered the effects -of his acrobatic performance.</p> - -<p>Such a jam at the double post and rails! There are but three or four -negotiable places, and everybody is racing for them madly. The Parson -and the Doctor fly them together, and so shake themselves clear of the -ruck, while a hard-riding Meltonian carries away a heap of them.</p> - -<p>But where is Mrs. Talford?</p> - -<p>There she is on the left, close to the hounds, yet well wide of them, -slipping along with an easy grace, looking as if she was merely -cantering, Queen Bee taking everything before her, and making as little -of the fences as if<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> they were the lowest of hurdles. How the deuce did -she get there? everybody who has time to notice her wonders. But no one -ever knows how she does get anywhere. No matter what sort of a start she -gets, unless hopelessly thrown out Mrs. Talford before long is certain -to be found sailing along in close proximity to the hounds.</p> - -<p>Presently they come to a check in the road, but it is only for a minute, -for Beadsman hits off the line on the far side, over the wall, and -across the fallows. Some of the road-riders come up at this moment, and -stare blankly at the wall. One, a stranger, seeing a lady, and not -knowing who she is, vainly endeavours to open the gate (a low one), -which is locked, and thereby prevents anybody else getting over.</p> - -<p>"Thank you, sir; I think I can manage it," is all Mrs. Talford says in -her quiet way, and in another minute the would-be "pew-opener" is -greeted with a sight of Queen Bee's hind feet, and the lady has resumed -her former place with the hounds.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p><p>"Well done, Mrs. Colonel!" says old Tom (he always calls her Mrs. -Colonel). "We shall show them the road again to-day. It's the old line, -straight for Marston. Hold up," to his horse, who dropped his hind legs -in a ditch. "Yonder he goes," as he catches sight of the fox making the -best of his way up the rising ground in the distance; and, contrary to -his usual custom, he catches hold of the hounds and lifts them for -nearly half a mile, thereby cutting off a big slice.</p> - -<p>"Oh Tom, you shouldn't have done that," says Mrs. Talford, as soon as -they have settled on to the line again. "They were hunting beautifully."</p> - -<p>"Don't mean anyone to get in front of the Queen, Mrs. Colonel, this -time," is all he vouchsafes as they gallop down a lane, thereby saving -their horses, and nicking in again at the corner. A holloa from the -right, close in front of the hounds, shows the rest of the field that -the end is approaching, and the Melton detachment are riding their -hardest to catch<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> the Bullshire lady; but the only men who have as yet -succeeded are Mr. Halston, the Master, and old Simms.</p> - -<p>"It's over the brook, for a hundred, sir," shouts Tom, and he is right. -With a splash that sends the water sparkling high in the air, the whole -pack dash in, and are away on the other side racing in view.</p> - -<p>"Surely she's not going to ride at that," men say to each other as Mrs. -Talford catches her mare by the head.</p> - -<p>But she is; and, with Sir John on the one side and the Parson on the -other, she skims over like a bird. Old Tom's horse is done, and refuses, -but being crammed at it again just gets over with a scramble. The rest -ride at it in a body, some in, some over; some think better of it and -turn back; but before any but the leading quartet are well over, Sir -John's "who-whoop" rings out clear and loud, and tells them that they -have again been beaten by "only a woman."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE LADY WHO HUNTS AND DOES NOT RIDE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>If anyone could be found rash enough to hint to Mrs. Polson that in the -hunting-field she was, to say the least of it, rather a bore than -otherwise, the look of undisguised astonishment with which that -individual's remarks would be met, ought, if he had any right feeling, -to convince him that he was wrong; and that, if there was a woman in -this world who was a useful addition to the Hunt, and who, wherever and -whenever she thought proper to grace the scene, was always rapturously -welcomed, that woman was Mrs. Polson, wife of Joseph<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> Polson, Esq., -M.P., better known as The Right Hon. J.P.</p> - -<p>Although as yet no one has dared to breathe a word to the lady herself, -there are men, and a large number to boot, who, among themselves, vote -her a nuisance; in fact they have been known to say that she is "One of -the most infernal nuisances out. Always in the way. Never happy unless -she is talking horse and hound, and for ever trying to catch some -unfortunate novice 'just to give her a lead here, or to open a gate -there;' while to answer her questions a man needs to be a walking glossary."</p> - -<p>I am afraid there is a deal of truth in what these unappreciative men -say, for Mrs. Polson before she was married had never got farther in the -equestrian art than an occasional ride on a shaggy pony when staying -with her aunt in Devonshire, or the <i>haute école</i> as practised up and -down the King's Road at so much per hour when staying with her uncle at Brighton.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p><p>It was at the latter place that she met good-natured easy-going Joseph -Polson; and when her father, who was rector of a small parish in Dorset, -heard that his Letty had said "Yes" to a rich man, there were great -rejoicings at the parsonage, for she was one of seven, and the living -being by no means a large one, Mr. Becket found some difficulty in -making both ends meet.</p> - -<p>However, no sooner had she married Polson and settled down in Bullshire -as the Member's wife, than she must needs become a hunting-woman, and, -as a hunting-woman and the Member's wife, give herself airs. Perhaps -among her acquaintances there is no one that she hates with such a -cordial hatred as poor unoffending Mrs. Talford, for although when she -meets her the greeting (on her side at all events) is most effusive, -still, deep down in her memory, rankles a speech that she once overheard -Mrs. Talford make to her husband. She had come up rather late, just as -the hounds were moving off, and the Colonel and his wife,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> ignorant of -her proximity, were discussing her powers of riding.</p> - -<p>"My dear," said the Colonel, "I have not seen Mrs. Polson. Have you?"</p> - -<p>"No," replied Mrs. Talford; "I don't suppose she is coming; it's rather -a stiff country to-day;" and then, laughing, "how glad young Mr. Bevan -will be. He said that she tacked herself on to him at Deanfield the -other day, and after she had bored his life out for more than an hour, -and made him open at least twenty gates, she asked him to come over some -day and look at her hunters. It's a pity somebody can't tell her that -men hate being bothered in the hunting-field."</p> - -<p>Mrs. Polson's sudden appearance stopped further conversation on the -subject. But from her over-affectionate manner ever since, Mrs. Talford -knows perfectly well that the unlucky speech went farther than it was intended.</p> - -<p>"Good morning, Tom. Got the dog-pack out to-day, I see, looking none the -worse for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> Saturday," says Mrs. Polson as she rides up, followed by a -groom bearing at his back a large sandwich-case, and at his saddle-bow a -holster-flask filled with sherry and water (for the Member's wife does -not see the fun of hunting without her luncheon).</p> - -<p>"Get away, good dog, get away; 'war hoss,'" to Bellman, who leaves the -main body of the pack in order to make a closer inspection of Mrs. P. or -the sandwich-case.</p> - -<p>"Mornin', mum," replies old Tom, doffing his cap; and then to avoid -further conversation he calls away Bellman and trots off to a distant -point, bringing the hounds back at a walk to allow time for her to -"collar someone else," as he puts it.</p> - -<p>While he is away on his little tour we may just glance at the external -appearance of the Member's wife. Certainly she is not a good riding -figure, being of the order "dumpy," and her seat in the saddle reminds -one strongly of a plum-pudding on a dish. Her habit is a close copy of -Mrs. Talford's, with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> the exception that it is much exaggerated. In the -front of the collar, which is turned over, is displayed an elaborate -necktie, with a fox's head painted on crystal as a pin, two heads of the -same pattern serving as studs for her wristbands. She also affects the -hunt-button, plain brass, with "B.H." in a monogram: and a hat-guard -made of a small gold chain, secured to a most curly-brimmed hat by a -fox's tooth, completes the dress; while the hunting-crop she carries in -her fat little pudgy hand is more fitted for a First Whip than a lady, -being, both heavy and cumbersome.</p> - -<p>Tom evidently knows her pretty well, for before he returns from his -self-imposed trot to his original place, Mrs. Polson has "collared -someone else," and is making herself agreeable (or trying to) to two -strangers who are staying with the Master for a week, and whom she has -met at dinner at Lappington. A small group standing a little way off, -after bowing, smile among themselves and pity the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>innocent strangers -who, as young Bevan says, are "being let in for a day in waiting." "It's -a shame of Lappington not to have put them on their guard," he -continues; "I shall tell him so."</p> - -<p>"She landed you once, Bevan, did not she?" asks another, laughing.</p> - -<p>"Yes, but never again," is the reply. "Five-and-twenty gates to open, a -treatise on scent, the pedigree of every hound in the pack, and some -weak sherry-and-water, hardly compensate one for missing one of the best -things of the season. By gad, we never saw hounds from the time they -found till they killed, and yet to hear the woman talk, you would fancy -she was in the first flight all the way. Look out, she is bearing down -on us;" and the little group disperse, each one seemingly having caught -sight of a man in the distance that he "must speak to for a moment."</p> - -<p>Time's up now, and they move off to the big wood, Mrs. P. closely -attended by the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> strangers, to whom she has promised to show the -country. They feel obliged, or rather under an obligation to her, and do -not like to leave her side, though both think they would rather see the -country for themselves without a cicerone. It is her day all over, for -it is even betting they do not get out of the wood; and even if they do, -what so convenient as a false turn down a ride that leads to nowhere? By -the time they get outside hounds will be well away, and the only chance -of catching them will be through that line of gates that Mrs. Polson -knows so well.</p> - -<p>As they come up to the wood the trio find their progress barred by a low -rail, over which Tom has popped, followed by a good many of the field. -The two strangers naturally suppose that so great a sportswoman as Mrs. -Polson will make nothing of a small obstacle like the one before them, -so one politely gives her a lead over, turning round on the other side -to say: "It's rather a boggy place on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> left, but if you jump well to -the right you will find it quite firm," while the other holds back till -the lady has successfully negotiated the fence.</p> - -<p>They are a little surprised when she says, in the blandest possible -tones: "I hope you will not think me a bore, but there is nothing I -dislike so much as jumping in cold blood. It only takes it out of one's -horse for nothing. If you would not mind taking that rail down—it drops -off easily—I should be so much obliged."</p> - -<p>This necessitates someone dismounting, and the man who gave the lead -over has to get off and stand in a pool of muddy water, which he feels -oozing through his boots, while he struggles manfully with the offending -rail. At last his efforts are successful. Mrs. Poison gallops -triumphantly through, splashing him all over as she passes.</p> - -<p>"Oh, I am so sorry," she exclaims, when she sees what she has done. "It -is my naughty horse; he can't bear to be kept waiting."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>The splashed one is too polite to say much, but that does not prevent -him from "thinking a lot;" and as he wipes the mud from his face he -registers a vow to give my lady the slip on the first possible -opportunity. This comes shortly, for a few minutes later there is an -unmistakable find, and the hounds are seen tearing through the underwood -to the right.</p> - -<p>"This way—this way," pants Mrs. Polson, making the best of her road for -a gate in an exactly opposite direction; "they are sure to turn to the -left, and we shall be all right."</p> - -<p>A view holloa on the right, followed by Tom's horn, decides the -mud-bespattered gentleman, and he turns off, galloping down a ride -which, as far as he can judge, leads to where he hears the hounds. He -arrives just in time to see them top the bank, and when he finds himself -well out of the wood, with some seven or eight men and one lady, who -have got an equally good start, he congratulates himself on having -escaped, and thinks<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> how his friend must be gnashing his teeth. Luck, -however, favours Mrs. Polson, for the hounds swing round to the left, -and she and her attendant squire ride through a hand-gate just as they -go by. "There, I told you we should be all right," she says, highly -gratified with herself, yet the while casting an anxious glance round -the field for a gate which is nowhere visible.</p> - -<p>"For'ard on; he's away over the plough, Tom," shouts Sir John as he -gallops up; and they race him down towards a most uncompromising-looking -stake and bound. Mrs. Talford is first over, and her husband follows -close in her wake. The emancipated sportsman goes next, and barely saves -a fall; then comes a farmer on a stout cob, who goes crash through the -whole fabric, rolling himself far into the next field, while the cob -reposes in the ditch. However he has made a most convenient gap, at -which the Member's wife keeps a score or more impatient people waiting, -while she, holding her steed tight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> by the head, vainly endeavours to -summon up sufficient courage to ride him over the place.</p> - -<p>"Hang the woman; she's an impostor," mutters Stranger No. 2, now -thoroughly exasperated, as he sees his friend sailing merrily away in -the distance.</p> - -<p>"Oh dear, I am afraid you must think me very tiresome," said Mrs. Polson -to him; "I never knew my horse to refuse before; there must be something -wrong with him. Please don't wait for me;" and, turning to her -sandwich-bearer: "John, follow me down into the lane; I am afraid one of -the horse's shoes are loose." Again, to her squire: "Please go on, I -will catch you up again directly;" and she goes off to the road, where -of course John finds the shoes, as he knew he would, perfectly tight. -"Thank goodness for that," thinks her ex-equerry-in-waiting, making best -haste to get to the hounds again; and as he manages to come up with them -while Tom is making a cast, he tells his host the Master that he owes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -him one for not putting him up to Mrs. P. and her riding powers.</p> - -<p>Sir John laughs and says: "All right, old boy, you won't see her again -till we have killed or lost and are going to draw for a fresh one. She -will have finished her lunch by then; but I daresay there will be some -sherry-and-water left for you as a reward."</p> - -<p>Before his marriage the hon. Member for Bullshire was a most punctual -man; but now, somehow, he always turns up late, and is seldom, if ever, -seen at the meet, or till hounds are running, when he will suddenly -appear riding as forward as ever. When asked by his friends the reason -for this strange behaviour, he merely winks and looks over towards where -his estimable spouse may be seen in the far distance pounding along -through the gates, followed by the faithful John with the luncheon.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE SCHOOLBOYS.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>For the last week parents have been receiving letters from young -hopefuls, in which allusions have been made to the absolute necessity of -sending by return of post some more pocket-money wherewith to liquidate -sundry small accounts, and to enable him to give his friends who are -"leaving this half" some presents.</p> - -<p>Most of the documents have wound up with the announcement that there are -only three or four days to the holidays, and with requests that John, or -Thomas, or Sam may be told to get the pony fit for them to ride. In some -instances the father, or, as the "young gentleman" prefers to call him, -"the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> governor," has been reminded of his promise to buy a new horse; -and as he knows full well that unless he does so the word "peace," so -far as he is concerned, may be scratched out of the dictionary, Jimmy -Holden is called into council and the animal is procured.</p> - -<p>As the down-train runs into Lappington Station, four or five eager faces -may be seen, one over the other, filling up the window of the railway -carriage; and before the train has well stopped four or five equally -eager bodies jump out; and the porters, without waiting for -instructions, immediately proceed to empty the compartment of rugs, -sticks, two-shilling novels, bags, and the numerous other items which -invariably accompany a boy on his return from school.</p> - -<p>"There's the governor, Charlie," says a bright-looking lad to his -schoolfellow, whom he has brought home with him for the first fortnight -of the holidays.</p> - -<p>"How are you, Dick? and how is the pony?" exclaims another, addressing -the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>neat-looking servant, who is evidently as pleased to see his young -master as that worthy is to have put by his books for a time.</p> - -<p>"No signs of frost; we shall be out to-morrow at The Grange," shouts a -third, as he disappears within the portals of the booking-office.</p> - -<p>The hero of the hour, however, is Harold Lappington, Sir John's youngest -brother, a tall good-looking young fellow, who in the field is known to -combine the fearlessness of youth with the knowledge of old age. He has -come that morning from Eton, where he has been keeping his hand in by -hunting the college beagles. Old Tom and his brother have come to meet -him, and many of the other boys envy him the honour of shaking hands -with so great a man as the Huntsman.</p> - -<p>"By Guy, Mayster Harold, but you are growed, looking well and all," says -Tom; and then, turning to the Master: "Eh, Sir John, ay's gettin' a -rare-topped 'un."</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Tom, there's no need to ask<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> how you are, you're looking as -fit as a fiddle. Is that young gray horse fit for me to ride? The one -you had at the kennels, I mean," ejaculates Harold: and, receiving an -answer in the affirmative, walks off with Sir John to where an -obsequious porter is hoisting his traps into a dog-cart which is -standing outside.</p> - -<p>"Here, John," he says to his brother, as he jumps up, "I'm going to drive."</p> - -<p>"Not if I know it," replies the Master. "I have not forgotten that last -exploit of yours, when you upset me over a heap of stones."</p> - -<p>But of course the boy has his way, and with a "Good-night, Tom," and a -wave of the hand, they rattle round the corner, shaving the gate-post so -close as to cause the Master to clench his teeth and hold on like grim death.</p> - -<p>"Well," mutters Tom, when they, are out of sight, "there'll be some -riding to-morrow, I know, and some tumbling too. I 'opes we gets away -quick, for though I loves to see the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> lads go, they do myther (bother) -me terrible at the first;" and he turns up the road towards the kennels, -exchanging Good-nights and bright hopes for the morrow with the young -occupants of the various traps as they pass him on their way to their -respective homes.</p> - -<p>By ten o'clock the next morning the road to The Grange is lively with -the usual symptoms of a meet. Grooms with led-horses are riding -alongside the tax-cart of the butcher or baker. Men and boys on foot -keep up that peculiar kind of shuffle, half run, half walk, which is -seen nowhere save in the country. The keeper and the poacher jostle one -another and combine to chaff the merry vendor of crockery and hardware -who, perched on the top of his wares and drawn by his trotting "moke," -has chosen the centre of the road, somewhat to the inconvenience of -those in his rear.</p> - -<p>He is well able to hold his own, and gives as much as he gets. Indeed, -in the matter of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> chaff, it takes the allied forces all their time to -keep on even terms until they overtake the local policeman, when the -channel of wit and repartee is diverted against "poor Robert," who of -course being ignominiously defeated at once, takes refuge under official -dignity, and thinks of the time when his turn will come.</p> - -<p>The keepers have held aloof from the latter entertainment, for it would -not be right to make a butt of the Law, they think; and so, joining him, -all proceed towards The Grange as merry as crickets. Presently there is -a shout from behind, and turning round they see old Tom and the pack, -with many a bit of pink in his wake, and, what is more (in their own -eyes, at all events), many an emancipated schoolboy.</p> - -<p>"Lend us one of them dorgs to run under my carriage," says the itinerant -hardware merchant as they pass him.</p> - -<p>Tom rather winces at the word "dorgs" being applied to his darlings, and -is preparing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> a stinging rejoinder; but before it is ready, Eton, -Harrow, Rugby, and Winchester have (verbally) fallen on the rash jester -and silenced him completely.</p> - -<p>However, he manages to make his way to The Grange, and while there -disposes of some of his crockery, and drinks Tom's health in some of Mr. -Boulter's beer, calling him, by-the-way, "Lord Topboots."</p> - -<p>Such greetings and chaff, too, among lads! Criticisms of their -respective animals, mutual challenges, and hurried arrangements for all -sorts of sport. The Secretary is not forgotten either, and various -inquiries are made concerning "his last speech and what time he came -home." At last the Master and his brother Harold drive up, and in a few -moments are mounted and ready. One glass of sherry "Just to keep the -Secretary in tune," as Harold says, and Tom, getting a nod, trots off to -the wood about half a mile away.</p> - -<p>"Charles," says he to the First Whip, "you get down to corner, and if so -be as t' fox breaks,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> dunna holloa; just crack yer whip when ay's well -away. Maybe then I shall have a chance of getting hounds on to the line."</p> - -<p>On the road to the wood there are two small fences, and though the gates -are open wide, with the exception of Harold Lappington, every boy has -his pony over, into, or through them. A fall or two brings down a -torrent of jeers on the unfortunates, and one youngster in particular, -who goes careering round the field, half on, half off his animal, is -most productive of sport.</p> - -<p>"Stick to him, Johnny," shout some; "he's off; no he isn't; well saved," -as, more by good luck than good management, he regains his seat, and -comes back looking rather crestfallen. Some of the farmers think for a -moment of their fences and what a lot of "making up" there will be on -the morrow; but the joyous faces and boisterous spirits of the -schoolboys are infectious, and they feel with old Simms, who said, when -last year they broke three of his gates down and let<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> his sheep out all -over the country: "We were all boys once, and not a bit better. Bless -'em, they don't mean any harm, and I love 'em."</p> - -<p>The first draw is a blank, much to the disappointment of all, Boulter in -particular, for he catches it most unmercifully from all his young friends.</p> - -<p>A move is then made for a piece of rough stuff called Shepherd's Gorse. -Sir John has a difficult task to keep his field in order here, for it is -a crooked in-and-out-shaped place, and the ponies will creep forward -into forbidden corners. As fast as he orders one back he finds another -expectant and overanxious youth somewhere else.</p> - -<p>However, they are not kept long in suspense, for a quick find is -followed by a ringing "Gone away," and his field gallop round to find -Tom and the pack sailing along merrily, he having slipped off with the -hounds well on to the line before he vouchsafed to proclaim his -departure.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span></p><p>Hard work it is to catch them, for they are racing with a scent -breast-high, but the schoolboys sit down and send their ponies along -with a will, thinking no more of the big bank and ditch that confront -them than they would if it was only a broken sheep-hurdle. Harold -Lappington is first down to it, and his young gray pecks badly on the -far side, for the animal is a bit fresh and over-jumps himself. Harold's -fine seat, however, saves him from a fall, and turning round to where he -sees young Charlie Whistler riding his pony, scarce thirteen hands three -inches in height, at the biggest place he can find, he shouts: "Steady, -Charlie; it's too big for you; take it in two, on and off."</p> - -<p>"Go on," replies the monkey, "I'm all——" he would have said "right," -but as he was turning head over heels like a rabbit before he could -finish his sentence, he found further conversation somewhat difficult. -Next in order came two hard-riding members with Sir John and Mrs. -Talford, and then a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> whole crowd of horses and ponies, a good many of -which plumbed the depths of the ditch on the landing-side. It is -wonderful what a good pony will do with a resolute youngster on his -back. Where it can't jump it will creep or climb, and generally manages -to pull through somehow or other; but this particular fence is a rasper -to commence with, and in most cases the cause of grief is -over-excitement.</p> - -<p>"You're a nice sort of fellow, Tom, slipping off like that," says -Harold, as he comes up with the old Huntsman, who is gnashing his teeth -because they've checked, and "Them blessed lads will be all among t' -hounds again."</p> - -<p>"What did you do it for?" he continues.</p> - -<p>"Ah Mayster Harold; must get a start, or we should never get through all -them ponies," replies Tom. "Here they come, by gad. That's it, praise -the Lord," as the hounds hit it off just as the rest arrive.</p> - -<p>"For'ard on," yell the lads, as pleased as Punch to have caught the -hounds again.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p><p>"Harold, it's my idea the fox will make over the Swill," says Sir John -to his brother, as they gallop along the grass. "There are two or three -deuced stiff ploughs before we get there, and as you can't jump it we -had better take the road and round by the bridge."</p> - -<p>"Not I; I'm going with the hounds," replies Harold. "If they go over I -can but go in and out."</p> - -<p>"Don't you be a fool," retorts the Master. "By Jove, I'm right! it is -for the Swill," as the hounds swung to the left towards the line of -pollards that denote the course of that "meandering streamlet."</p> - -<p>"Hold hard, young gentlemen, hold hard," roars Tom, as they hang for a -moment on the plough, and five or six reeking ponies get unpleasantly -near his darlings. "You canna jump Swill; you must go round by t' -bridge."</p> - -<p>But they pay no heed to either him or paternal warning, and pound away -over the plough towards the willows.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p><p>"Here, I'm dashed if some on 'em won't get drownded, for they'll have -it, as sure as my name's Wilding," he continues.</p> - -<p>The two Simms and a few adventurous spirits follow in the wake of the -lads, while the rest of the field follow the Master to the bridge. As -the hounds plunge in Tom gallops off for the same goal, saying: "This -way, young gents, this way." He might as well have spared his breath, -for Eton is not going to be beaten by Harrow, nor Winchester by Rugby, -nor Clifton by any of them, and the rivals feel the honour of their -schools to be at stake. Harold again heads the charge, and the young 'un -makes a gallant effort, just getting his fore-legs on the opposite bank. -Quick as thought the boy is over his head on <i>terra firma</i>, while the -gray falls back into the brook. "Bravo," shout the rest of the field, -"bravo!" and, as his horse scrambles out, Harold's heart swells with -pride, and he says to his brother: "The dear old school bested them all."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p><p>Harrow, Rugby, Winchester, and Clifton, all go at it in a lump, and all -four are splashing about together, when little Phillips, a lad of -twelve, who has just completed his first half, at Marlborough, comes -down, and handling his rat of a pony down the bank, the pair swim -across, and out the other side they scramble, the urchin shouting at the -top of his voice: "Hooray, Eton first, Marlborough second."</p> - -<p>All, happily, manage, contrary to Tom's expectations, to escape being -"drownded;" and, wet as they are, ride harder than ever to make up their "leeway."</p> - -<p>About a mile farther on the fox is viewed heading straight for Braby -Main Earths, where he goes to ground with the pack close at his brush. -Then paternal authority asserts itself, and the dripping schoolboys are -promptly ordered home. They plead hard to stay, but paterfamilias is -firm, and the lads turn to go with a last wistful look at Tom and the hounds.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p><p>It is late in the afternoon, and they have had a right down good -gallop, thinks Sir John; so turning to the field he says: "Gentlemen, I -shall send the hounds home. We will call this the schoolboys' day, and I -am sure after the way they have ridden it would be a shame to go on -without them."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE BOASTER.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>If one could only believe one quarter of the strange adventures, -hairbreadth escapes, and marvellous performances in the field of which -Mr. Story says he has been the hero, one might well set him down as a -wonderful Nimrod. But, unfortunately, veracity does not form part of his -character. He is good-natured, generous, hospitable, and amusing, yet -one of the most confirmed liars in the country.</p> - -<p>Not that he is what is known as a harmful liar, for he would as soon -think of telling an anecdote reflecting on the character of any of his -friends or acquaintances as he would of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> picking their pockets. No, his -embroidery is strictly personal. It appertains solely to what he has -done or can do, and such a habit has this become with him that he firmly -believes every word he says, and will pledge his honour that such and -such a thing happened, that he did this or that, the while relating some -performance that effectually puts that prince of fibbers Baron -Munchausen in the background.</p> - -<p>Nothing seems to cure him. Over and over again has he been caught out by -a sceptical audience, who have then and there endeavoured to put him to -the blush, but it has been of no avail, for two minutes afterwards he -will be romancing away as gaily as ever on some fresh subject. Men have -got tired of trying to break him of it, and now only sit and laugh, -acknowledging that "Old Story is devilish good fun though he is such a -thundering liar."</p> - -<p>Of course in the hunting-field he is the veriest impostor that ever got -on a horse,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> never, if he can possibly help it, leaving the glorious -safety of the hard highway. Yet the description of the run as told by -him in the evening fairly takes your breath away, and, supposing you to -be a stranger, makes you feel that you have come into a country the like -of which you have never seen.</p> - -<p>Sheep-hurdles are (according to Mr. Story) five-barred gates, the -smallest ditch a veritable river; and as he turns to some one or the -other guest at his table and says: "Did you notice that horse I was -riding to-day? Deuced clever animal, I can tell you. Jumped a double -post and rails with about twelve foot of water on the far side, and made -nothing of them, 'pon my honour!" you wonder whether there are many -fences of the same species to be encountered, or many horses with the -same supreme contempt for them to be picked up in Bullshire.</p> - -<p>Once in his life he did jump a brook, and it is even betting that before -you have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> been long in his presence he will tell you all about it, -though his version of the occurrence differs slightly from that of those -who saw it.</p> - -<p>They had been having a very slow hunting-run on a cold scent, barely out -of a trot most of the time, the hounds picking it out inch by inch, and -at last they came to a dead lock in a field, round two-thirds of which -ran the Marston brook. Mr. Story, who had been as usual very prominent -in the centre of the road, which ran conveniently adjacent, thought he -might as well turn into the field through the gate, which he did.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately for him there was a bull in the corner, which neither he -nor anyone else had noticed, and just as the gate swung to and latched -again, the hounds hit off the line and went over the brook. At the same -moment the bull, having lashed himself into a rage, and maddened by the -cry of the hounds, singled out Story's red coat and charged down on him. -This<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> startled his gallant steed. Away he went, followed by the bull, -and, to everyone's intense astonishment and amusement, Story was seen on -his horse's neck well over the water.</p> - -<p>He himself will tell you that he cut the whole field down—"Pounded -them, sir, on my honour, at the brook;" but the real facts of the case -are those I have just narrated.</p> - -<p>Most particular is Mr. Story as to his external appearance, and the bows -of his well-fitting leathers are tied with a mathematical accuracy -attainable only by long and patient manipulation, aided by the use of -various scientific instruments, such as pincers and button-hooks, of -which he keeps a large assortment. His necktie is the envy of half the -men in the field, while the peculiar shade of his tops has caused more -envy, hatred, and malice among the valets than one would have believed -possible.</p> - -<p>It is very fine to hear the contemptuous<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> tone he assumes when dilating -on the performances of those sportsmen who come under the head of the -"galloping-and-jumping division." "Look at them," he will say. "I ask -you, what do they know about hunting? They've only one idea—jump, jump, -jump, all day. Now no one is fonder of a quick thing than I am, but you -never see me galloping about, jumping over everything I can find" (the -only true thing in his speech), "and yet when it comes to riding, I -flatter myself I can give them a stone and a beating. Valpy! Faugh, a -rough-rider, sir, a rough-rider. Nowhere in a run. Have beaten him over -and over again, 'pon my honour. You remember that forty minutes we had," -etc. etc.; and then follows a glowing description of some imaginary run -over the stiffest part of the country, where Story had the hounds all to -himself after the first ten minutes, and never saw a soul again till -they had broken up their fox.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span></p><p>If he happens to be at his own house he will take you off to his den, -and, by way of corroborating the tale, will point out the brush of the -identical fox hanging over the mantelpiece, and handling it carefully, -will say: "Ah, there is some satisfaction in having a brush that one -gets all by one's self."</p> - -<p>(Quite so, Mr. Story; but what was that small piece of gold for, that -found its way out of your pocket into that of Charles the First Whip?)</p> - -<p>Quite a museum of sport is Story's den, or "sanctum," as he calls it. -Round the walls are hung innumerable sporting pictures, foxs' brushes -and masks, all mounted, and bearing the date, length of run, find, and -kill, emblazoned in gold letters underneath. On the left-hand side of -the fireplace is a gun-cupboard, well stocked with breechloaders and -rifles; for Story has some wonderful adventures in the Rocky Mountains -to relate. Opposite, on the other<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> side, is a stick-rack, crowded with -crops, cutting-whips, ash-plants, spurs of all sizes, and hunting-caps; -while underneath are arranged a pile of white band-boxes, each -containing a shining Lincoln and Bennett. Between the windows are a row -of hat-pegs, four in number, and on every peg hangs a hat reduced to the -state of flatness said to be peculiar to pancakes.</p> - -<p>Naturally one is struck with so novel an arrangement in dilapidated -head-gear, and in a weak moment, perhaps, one asks "What on earth those -old hats are for? Are they used in the summer to keep the birds from the -peas, or what?"</p> - -<p>"Peas, my dear fellow; no, by gad," will be the ready reply. "They are -the hats I have come to grief in. I keep them for old lang syne. In that -one on the right I rode the famous Willowfield run. Fourteen falls, and -finished up in the Swill. On my honour, I thought I never should have -got out. Horse got on the top of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> me, and I was under water for a -minute;" and then, taking down the other three in succession, Story will -relate the romance attached to each.</p> - -<p>Ill-natured slander says that their present shape is attributable to -having been violently sat upon in the garden after two days' rain, and -the authority of a discharged valet, who remonstrated on this wholesale -destruction of his perquisites, is given. But then there is nothing that -ill-natured slander will not say.</p> - -<p>One good point about the Boaster is that he is a most stanch preserver -of foxes, and although his property is not a large one, Lappington is -always perfectly certain of finding in his coverts. It is a great-day -for him when the hounds meet in the village. No general commanding a -division feels half such a great man as Mr. Story, who, having -confidentially informed Sir John that there are no less than five foxes -in the wood, takes charge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> of Tom and the pack and leads them on to -victory.</p> - -<p>Should they not find immediately, the various stages of anxiety depicted -on his face are intensely amusing, and the triumphant "I-told-you-so" -expression he assumes when at last the swelling chorus proclaims the -varmint at home, is well worth coming any distance to see.</p> - -<p>No sooner are they well away than the highroad claims him for its own, -and, followed by a small detachment, Story's figure is seen vanishing -through the toll-gate, making for some distant point which he seems to -know by intuition the fox is bound for. His knowledge of the country and -the lanes thereof is wonderful, and having, by slipping down a byway, -shaken off his retinue, he arrives on the high ground just as the fox -crosses the bottom and crawls into Watson's osiers.</p> - -<p>The hounds are not yet in sight though he can hear them in the distance, -so he has<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span> time to let himself into the field through the gate, and -inspect the low wattle fence at the far end, over which he knows the -line will be. Finding it is very plain sailing, and that there is a most -convenient gap again into the lane which leads direct to the osiers, he -gets behind a haystack, and waits the arrival of Tom and the pack. Most -men would holloa the fox, but Story knows a trick worth two of that. He -has a reputation to keep up, and a history to tell of "those big rails -by Brown's farm," and "that double after we came out of the -water-meadows," which would hardly sound so well if he was known to have -arrived at his present position in front of the hounds.</p> - -<p>Presently the hounds come up, and he notes with glee that there are but -four or five anywhere near them. As they top the wattle he dashes round -the haystack as if he had ridden all the way wide on their left, and -flying the fence is in the same field with them—alone.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p><p>"Dang 'im, how did ay get theer? Ay never rode along wi' us, I know," -mutters Tom to himself; but the pace is too hot to think about it at the -moment.</p> - -<p>"Capital run, Tom," shouts Story, as they gallop down the field -together; "but, my eye, what a stiff bit we have had! Those rails of -Brown's were a stopper. You should have had them where I did, on the -left." (Tom had been deuced nearly down there, a circumstance Story had -noticed from the road.) "He'll be in the osiers; I'll get on and view -him out the far side;" and away goes our friend through the gap and down -the lane.</p> - -<p>"Now, I should just like to know wheer in the name of fortun' ay's coom -from. There's some hanky-panky, I knows. Did you see Mayster Story, -Charles?" says Tom, as they check, to the First Whip, who has just -arrived, his coat showing pretty evident signs of where he had been.</p> - -<p>"Saw him going down the road when we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span> found; but Craftsman has it," -replies Charles, and "For'ard on" is again the order.</p> - -<p>Into the osiers they crash, and a "Tally-ho!" from Story on the far side -shows them to be close behind their fox. "For'ard, for'ard, for'ard -away," screams Tom, blowing the hounds out of the covert; and in the -second field it is all up, and Tom is off his horse in the middle of the -pack, with Story and five others only there to see. As the remainder of -the field gallop up by twos and threes our friend takes his watch out, -and, addressing the Master, says: "Best thing I've seen for many a -day—fifty-three minutes with hardly a check. 'Pon my honour, it's -marvellous that so few of us came to grief. Awful stiff country. Give -you my word, I thought I should break my neck every fence."</p> - -<p>"Could not afford to lose such a sportsman as you, Story," replies Sir -John, laughing and turning to Tom. "Here, give Mr. Story the brush; it's -worthy of a place in his den."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p><p>"Right, sir," says Tom; but he winks at Charles and whispers: "There'll -be a fine tale over this one, I'll lay."</p> - -<p>Story is dining out that night, so he does not accompany them to find -their second fox, but by the time the ladies have come into the -drawing-room and the chairs are drawn round the fire, the fifty-three -minutes have grown to an hour and twenty minutes, and the deeds of -daring performed by himself have increased in proportion. As he drives -home he turns it over in his own mind whether another hat and peg shall -not be added to the relics between the window, with the glorious history -of "the crumpler over Brown's rails" attached thereto. But he eventually -decides, as so many of the field saw him at the finish with his -headpiece in its normal condition, that perhaps on the whole it would be -better not.</p> - -<p>This, however, does not prevent him from entering a full and true (?) -account of the run to Watson's osiers in his hunting-diary, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> -executing a small yet carefully-drawn map of the country, with crosses -marked thereon denoting the locality of some of the terrific obstacles -he encountered—and negotiated in safety.</p> - -<p>Should the conversation turn on hunting (which it is pretty certain to -do) while smoking the post-prandial cigar in Story's sanctum, he will -read a few extracts from this diary, which the assembled guests may -believe or not—as they like.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> - -<h2>HODGE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>"Which is the way to Langley, my good man?" asks Mr. Tyrol of a -countryman he overtakes on his way to the meet. Mr. Tyrol, who is a -stranger to the Bullshire, and has come down just to look at the country -and see what it is like with a view to future operations, as yet does -not know his way about, so is glad of any information he can obtain as -to the most direct route.</p> - -<p>"Yew mun tak furst turnin to right till yer com' to smithy, then keep -straight on past Jack Spender's down t' green lane, but mind yer dunna -mistake t' road past ould Betty Wilson's cottage, and then you're sure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -to be right," replies the man, with a glance at his interlocutor.</p> - -<p>"Thanks," says Mr. Tyrol, not much the wiser. "Let me see. I've got to -go down to the green lane, and then past Mrs. Wilson's cottage; but how -am I to know which is the right cottage—and how far it is?"</p> - -<p>"Oh, any chap 'ull tell yer ould Betty's place; it's better nor six mile -if yer go one way and under four if yer tak t' other."</p> - -<p>"And which is the short way?" is Mr. T.'s next question.</p> - -<p>"Well," replies his director, "yew mun go as I've tould yer, till yer -come t' lane, then turn into field past the works. Yer know the works -maybe?" and on Mr. Tyrol confessing his ignorance, after a pause: "Ah, -that maks a 'nation difference, doan't it?"</p> - -<p>The fact is not for a moment to be disputed, and Mr. Tyrol is in -despair, when suddenly a bright idea strikes Hodge, and he looks up, -saying: "Perhaps you're a-going fox-'unting?"</p> - -<p>As it is not customary for people to ride<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> about in pink, save in civic -processions, unless they are "on sport intent," it becomes hardly -necessary to answer, and Mr. T. wonders what Hodge could possibly have -thought he was going to do.</p> - -<p>"If so be," however, continues the pedestrian, "I'm a-going t' meet -mysen, and I can show yer t' road. Can that 'oss jump? Acos we've got to -go through Farmer Danby's meaders, and 'e most allus locks his gates."</p> - -<p>Notwithstanding the chance of a locked gate and a nasty fence in cold -blood, Mr. Tyrol thinks it an opportunity not to be lost, and gladly -avails himself of the proffered guidance, while Hodge sees a prospective -shilling in the horizon, which, with great accuracy, he divides as he -tramps along into "three pots o' four."</p> - -<p>"And what sort of a country is Langley?" asks the directee of his guide -and director, after about a quarter of a mile passed in silence.</p> - -<p>"Foine country for turnips," is the reply. "I mind when Mr. Arles—you -knows him I'll be bound? Not know Mr. Arles! Why I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> thought everyone -know'd him, he's the biggest man about these parts; he was the Dook's -agent. Well, I mind when he got better nor——"</p> - -<p>Here Mr. Tyrol thinks it advisable to check the flow of Hodge's -conversation, as he sees plainly that unless he does so he will be in -for an agricultural dissertation on the producing power per acre of Mr. -Arles' land, so he cuts him short with "I don't mean that; I mean what -sort of a country is it to ride over? Stiff big fences, or what?"</p> - -<p>"Some big, some littel; but there's allus a road as you can git along if -so be as you don't care about leping; and there's any amount o' -foxes—swarms on 'em. Why, it was only last week as ould Jim tould me as -Bill Upton 'ad tould him as he see'd two when he wor working in Squire -Beale's plantation. But there's Langley, sir. Thank ye kindly." And -Hodge, the richer by a shilling, stops at the wayside public-house to -drink the stranger's health.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p><p>Happy in having arrived at his destination, and much instructed and -amused by what he had heard, Mr. Tyrol rides on to where old Tom and the -hounds are visible, and is soon lost to sight in the crowd of horses and -men at the meet. By the time he has done contemplating the hounds, Hodge -has finished his libation, and, in company with a "mate," comes on the -scene of action.</p> - -<p>"Mornin', mayster," says he to old Tom; "whear be you a-going furst?" -and on hearing that Collingly Wood will be the first draw, he turns to -his companion and says: "By Guy, mate, we mun look slippy or we shanna -be there in time."</p> - -<p>It is not every day in the week that these "horny-handed sons of toil" -get an outing, and they do not mean to lose their chance of seeing the -fun if they can help it. So away they go, followed by three or four -boys, towards the big wood seen in the distance. They have not gone far -before they discover that they have followers,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> and knowing well that -with these in their wake it will be impossible to secrete themselves in -an advantageous position, they turn round and deliver a few home-truths, -which, though not particularly elegant, answer the purpose, and have the -desired effect of getting rid of the boys. This done, they continue -their route till they arrive at the hunting-gate leading into the -covert.</p> - -<p>"Now I wonder which end t' ould mon will begin at?" asks the elder of -his companion.</p> - -<p>"I dunna knoa," replies Number Two, putting his finger into his mouth -and holding it up; "but from the way o' the wind I should say as 'e'll -start down here; bound to go up-wind."</p> - -<p>No fool in matters of sport is Hodge, and, chawbacon as you may call -him, you would find it hard to puzzle him on the subject of the "run of -a fox," always provided he understood your questions. Old Tom knows his -value well, and over and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> over again have things been put straight by -the far-seeing blue eye; and "'E's gone yonder by th' ould barn," or -"I'v seed 'im cross o'er bottom," has enabled the Huntsman to hit off -the line without wasting the precious moments in a long and speculative -cast.</p> - -<p>The two "mates" have barely ensconced themselves comfortably on the top -of a stack of "cordwood," from whence they can command more than half -the wood, when the pack arrive, and the horsemen, as they file through -the gateway, are subjected to a running fire of criticism. Woe betide -the man whose animal obstinately refuses some small fence within sight -of Hodge and Co. Although the rider will not hear the speech, the loud -laugh from one or the other tells him plainly enough that he is the -cause of their merriment, and he wishes himself—or them—farther away. -As soon as the hounds are thrown in the occupants of the cordwood stack -become excited, and the younger of them,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> our friend of the road, -suggests an adjournment to a tree where he thinks a better view can be -obtained.</p> - -<p>"Stop where yer be, Jim," says the elder; "yer canna do better, and if -yer gets messing about now you'll only have t' Master and old Tom atop -o' yer back." So Jim is persuaded, and remains quiet. Presently a yellow -body is seen stealing through the underwood, and the chorus of music -shows that the hounds are aware of Mr. Reynard's presence.</p> - -<p>"There 'e goes," whispers Jim, "and here they come. By Guy, the're -away," as the hounds dash through the covert, and a loud "Tally-ho" is -heard on the other side. To slip down is the work of an instant, and -both Jim and his companion are making the best of their way to the -corner where the fox has broken. Here they find a regular crush; the -hunting-gate is locked or jammed, and no one can get out. Threading -their way through the horses, however, with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> help of a good heave, a -strong heave, and a heave both together, the pair manage to have the -gate off its hinges, and the impatient field rush through, nearly -overturning Jim in their mad career.</p> - -<p>"Oh, go on, go on," says that worthy, as he jumps out of the way; "some -on yer won't go much farther than the first fence at that pace."</p> - -<p>And he is right.</p> - -<p>There are two or three loose horses running about, one of which he -manages to catch and restore to the owner, receiving in return a small -acknowledgment, which—having submitted to the universal test, his -teeth—he slips into the pocket of his brown corduroys.</p> - -<p>The next field is a stiffish plough, and by the time he is halfway -across Hodge is done, and he finds his heavy boots none the lighter for -three or four inches of wet clay adhering to the soles. However, the -sight of a friendly hayrick in the distance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> consoles him, and to his -great delight he sees a ladder is reared against it and a man at work -cutting out some trusses.</p> - -<p>"Can yer see ought on 'em, ould man?" he pants, as he reaches the foot -of the ladder, and the "ould man" from his coign of vantage, shouts -back: "Nip up, lad, nip up, the're a-going like billy o'." Jim is -quickly alongside, his face beaming with excitement as he sees the whole -panorama of the chase stretched out before him. As he watches, he -notices his friend of the morning—Mr. Tyrol—and points him out to the -man on the rick. Luck favouring the spectators, the hounds suddenly -swing sharp round and cross close beneath and within hearing. There is a -nasty fence over which the line lies, and a goodish few turn away for -the gate, but Mr. Tyrol heads straight for it with the rest of the -hard-riders.</p> - -<p>"Well done, sir; well done!" roars Hodge from the rick, and Mr. T., -recognising him, gives him a nod as he rides at the fence.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span> His horse, -however, jumps short, and the result is a rattling fall.</p> - -<p>"Laws, that's a buster," says Jim; "I mun go and help him, he gied me a -bob;" showing by his words the triumph of filthy lucre over Christian -charity. Not that he would not have been just as ready to pick up anyone -without the shilling, but the gift had made a profound impression, and -the thought that was uppermost found vent in words.</p> - -<p>By the time he reaches the spot Mr. Tyrol has picked himself up, and, -catching his horse, is away; and Hodge returns to the rick to see the -last he can of the receding chase.</p> - -<p>As he trudges homewards he hears various accounts of how "the hounds are -been by," etc., and lighting his pipe he makes his way towards his own -particular inn where he usually takes his glass.</p> - -<p>He is going along leisurely over the fields when he hears a loud voice -behind him, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span> turning round, finds himself face to face with two men -on horseback, one of whom is ordering him to "Open that gate there, do -you hear?" Hodge knows in a moment that he is not a Bullshire man; and -what is more, he recognises in an equally short space that he is not a -gentleman for all his pink coat and fine feathers, and his native pride -rebels; so he takes no notice, but turns round and continues his -journey, and getting over the stile with a laugh, he mutters to himself: -"'E's got some cheek an' all, d——n him; I shanna open gate unless 'e's -a bit more civil."</p> - -<p>"Here, you fellah, do you hear—open this gate, will you?" shouts the -angry <i>parvenu</i> again, and then commences a course of good solid abuse.</p> - -<p>This is more than even Hodge can stand, so he slowly faces round again -and says: "Jump o'er it or get off and open it yerself. I ain't paid ter -go about t' country helping the likes o' you home."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p><p>When he tells the story in the public-house, as tell it he will, after -recounting all he saw of the chase and a bit more besides, he will say: -"I knowed he wanna out of Bullshire. None of our gents are like that; -sum City chap maybe, 'ain't larned manners;" and while spending the rest -of the eighteen-pence he has earned out hunting he is as happy as a -king, with whom he would not change places for the world, much -preferring, so long as he can get occasionally a day off and plenty to -eat and drink, to remain as simple—Hodge.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE KEEPER.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>One of the richest men in the county of Bullshire next to "the Dook" is -a Mr. Betteridge, a retired partner of the well-known firm of -Betteridge, Woolsey, and Co., of Manchester, who about five years back -purchased the Medemere estate, which originally belonged to the Slowboy -family. Of course he immediately improved (?) the fine old Elizabethan -hall by adding thereto sundry wings and towers, and also converting the -old-fashioned gardens, with their quaint yew-edges, into trim parterres -and terraces, after what he was pleased to call "the Italian style."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span></p><p>He has two great objects in life, in both of which unfortunately he -appears bound to be frustrated. The first is to be what is known as "a -popular sportsman," and the second to be considered somebody of -importance.</p> - -<p>With regard to number one—beyond having made a gorse and keeping the -most expensive cattle, which, needless to say, he cannot ride -himself—his ideas are limited; while, in the second instance, he has a -deadly rival, before whom he sinks into insignificance, and whose word -he has learnt to look on as law.</p> - -<p>This individual is neither more nor less than his Head-keeper, "Mr. -James," who (in his own estimation) combines all the virtues under the -sun, and speaks in the most grandiloquent way of "our shooting," "our -woods," "our coverts," "our foxes," "our parties," and "our" Heaven -knows what. Mr. James will inform you that he is a most ardent -fox-hunter, that it is "our pride always to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> foxes for Sir John. In -fact, I told Mr. Betteridge that it must be when we first agreed on the -shooting," etc.</p> - -<p>Yet, strange to say, there is a scarcity of the commodity in the -Medemere Woods that does not tally with these high-sounding assertions. -Certainly the gorse generally contains one or two, but that is quite on -the outsides, and near nothing in the pheasant interest. Betteridge -himself would pay anything, do anything (except adopt the only proper -method), to have foxes, and has many a time and oft remonstrated with -"Mr. James" on the subject. But he is invariably snubbed and subdued by -this mighty potentate, and made to wish he had not spoken.</p> - -<p>It is unfortunate that "Mr. James" should have lived, before he -condescended to "assist" Mr. Betteridge, with the Earl of Upcroft, for -the "Hearl" is his great rallying-point; and whenever there is anything -that his present employer does not quite like, and ventures to suggest -alterations upon, it is always:</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p><p>"When I lived with the 'Hearl' we never did in no way different to what -we are a-doing now, and the 'Hearl,' he used to say as how, thanks to -me—'I puts it all down to you, James,' was his very words—'heverything -works just like clockwork.' Of course if so be as you wants it -different, why it can be done, but depend hon it the 'Hearl' knowed what -was what."</p> - -<p>After this "Cottonopolis" has nothing to say, and James and the "Hearl" -carry it.</p> - -<p>Give him his due as a Keeper, he is excellent; for getting up a head of -game his equal is not to be found, nor can his method of beating the -covers or showing his birds be surpassed. But in his heart, -notwithstanding his outward professions, he is a vulpecide, and his -satellites are too well trained and hold him in too much awe to say -anything.</p> - -<p>Sir John Lappington distrusts him; indeed, he has gone so far as to -speak to Betteridge on the subject, and old Tom is perfectly convinced -on the point; but James and his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> "Hearl" have hitherto been more than -they can manage.</p> - -<p>Last season things very nearly came to a climax, for after drawing Mr. -Betteridge's coverts blank three times running, Sir John vowed he would -not come there again. Mr. James was most profuse in his apologies, and -his astonishment was grand.</p> - -<p>"I'm sure," said he, "I can't imagine where them foxes has got to. Bill -saw two in the big wood last night, and I've been most pertickerler -about it. Bill tells me as he knows of another in the Cross Spinney. -Didn't yer, Bill? Where's Bill?" (That worthy having carefully slipped -out of sight on the first signs of a cross-examination.) "Ah! 'e's never -here when he's wanted," continued the great man. "Tom, I'm thinking you -must have drawed over 'em."</p> - -<p>"More than I'm thinking you've done," returned old Tom; adding, <i>sotto -voce</i>, "nasty deceitful beggar."</p> - -<p>"Well, Mr. Betteridge," said Sir John<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> after a pause, and with his eye -fixed on "Mr. James," "it's a great pity, but I think I must be to blame -to a certain extent. I ought to have brought out some different hounds. -I must get some truffle-dogs if I come here again. It seems our only -chance of finding foxes, and I daresay your Keeper is right and we have -drawn over them."</p> - -<p>The shouts of laughter that followed this speech made it clear to both -master and man that there was some sarcasm, but neither of them could -make out quite what it was—until the evening, when Mr. James, happening -to meet the village schoolmaster, asked him what Sir John meant by -truffle-dogs, and was informed that they were a peculiar breed that -found things underground.</p> - -<p>The joke went round the village in a trice, and Mr. James is still known -as "Truffles," though it is not quite safe to call him so to his face.</p> - -<p>For more than half the season the Master kept his word, and the hounds -never came<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> near Medemere. But at last a piteous appeal from Mr. -Betteridge is listened to, and "Monday, Medemere Hall," appears in the -paper.</p> - -<p>Such a turn-out! A breakfast, more than half of it down from Gunter's; -powdered footmen rushing about in everybody's way; footmen out of powder -doing the same thing; a butler, whose busy appearance is worth a hundred -a-year to him, superintending the champagne, which flowed freely; and -over all Mr. Betteridge, flushed, excited, and uncomfortable.</p> - -<p>Outside is the same profusion, and Mr. James and his army of retainers -dispense good cheer with a liberal hand. No fear has he to-day, for Bill -has actual and <i>bonâ-fide</i> knowledge of a fox in the osiers, and to make -quite certain, a small box from Leadenhall Market came down two days -before, and the contents have been shaken out in the big wood.</p> - -<p>Under the circumstances he can afford to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> pass by Tom's remark of "Hope -you haven't stopped no foxes in to-day" in silence, merely saying: "I -think we had better draw our Osiers first, if Sir John is agreeable. I -have told Mr. Betteridge that would be the first draw."</p> - -<p>"Oh, you have, have yer?—that was kind of you," says Tom; and turning -to the Whip: "Charles, put those hounds to me; they might go and injure -Mr. James's flower-beds."</p> - -<p>What the result of this speech, which of course raised a laugh, might -have been it is hard to say, for at this moment out comes the Master and -Mr. Betteridge, followed by the rest of the field. Mr. James takes off -his hat with a low bow, and says: "Beg pardon, Sir John, I was a just -saying to the Huntsman that we'd better try the Hosiers first. Bill -knows of a fox there."</p> - -<p>"I hope he does this time, James," replies Sir John; "but I am going to -draw the big wood, and then the Osiers."</p> - -<p>"Very good, Sir John; of course you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> knows best," remarks Mr. James, and -then hurries off, thinking how deuced lucky it is that he had a bagman -down on the chance.</p> - -<p>When they arrive at the bottom of the wood they find the great man -standing at the gate full of importance, and with an air of -self-satisfaction on his face. "I'm sure there's summut up, sir," says -old Tom to Sir John, as the hounds dash into cover. "He'd never look so -'nation pleased if there was not some roguery in the wind. Eleu, in; -eleu, at him; eugh, boys. Bagman, maybe. Eleu, try." A tally-ho from the -far side before the hounds have opened on the line cuts him short, and -with a "Danged if I don't think I'm right," the old Huntsman, blowing -his horn, gallops down the ride to where the holloa was heard. The -hounds do not settle on the line kindly, in fact, the old hounds will -scarcely own it; however, they get along somehow for about a quarter of -an hour, when poor bagman's race is run and they pull him down.</p> - -<p>"Who-whoop," yells Tom; "who-whoop,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> and if that don't make yer ashamed -of yourself nothin' will; I know'd he were a bagman—dang the cheek of -the man."</p> - -<p>Not a hound will touch him, not even the young entry, and Sir John is -perfectly furious.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Betteridge," he says; as that worthy appears, quite innocent and -highly delighted at there being a fox at all. "Mr. Betteridge, I came -here at your request to draw your covers; I came here on your assurance -that there were foxes; and you, sir, have the audacity to turn out a -stinking bagman in front of my hounds."</p> - -<p>"My dear Sir John," replied the unfortunate man, "I never should dream -of doing such a thing; my Keeper told me there were foxes; but I never -would have turned out a bagman, I assure you. How can you tell it is a -bag fox?"</p> - -<p>"I believe, Mr. Betteridge, you are innocent, and I apologise," says Sir -John after a pause. "You ask me how I know. Look<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> there at the hounds, -they know well enough. Frankly, I tell you that unless you arrange -matters with your Keeper James, who is the author of this, I will not -draw your covers again, nor will I take your subscription to the -hounds;" and then, turning to Tom, "try the Osiers, and if that's blank, -trot off to Lappington."</p> - -<p>Mr. Betteridge is quite flabbergasted, and in the first flush of the -thing vows vengeance against the Keeper, but this cools down -considerably before they get to the osiers, and he begins to turn over -in his mind what the "Hearl" would have done. Mr. James is ignorant of -the little scene that has been enacted, so meets the hounds at the -Osiers, and, touching his hat to Sir John, with a smile says: "Killed -him, sir? You'll find another here."</p> - -<p>He is somewhat astonished, therefore, when he is told that if he dare do -such a thing again he as likely as not will get his discharge, and if -Mr. Betteridge can't be persuaded to do<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> that he is still more likely to -get a good thrashing for his impertinence.</p> - -<p>"Dang your ugly mug," says Tom to him, as soon as Sir John is out of -hearing; "you thought to come the clever over me and t' hounds, did yer? -Ugh, they'd no more eat a bag fox than they'd touch your dirty overgrown -carcass. I'd like to gi' yer what for, big as yer are;" and then the -hounds crash over into the witheys, and Tom begins to draw. From the way -they dash there is no doubt of a good fox this time, and presently a -whimper from Bonnibel strikes the key-note. Up and down the Osiers twice -he goes, with the pack close at him, and then away. No. One of the -Keeper's satellites, and under-Velveteens, heads him, and he sneaks back -along the wet ditch, while the hounds flash into the grass-field.</p> - -<p>"Tall'o baik," screams Charles, who has seen it. "Will you take yourself -away from there?" and Velveteens removes himself and feels humble.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p><p>One more round, and then he does go, and sets his head straight for -Colliston, a grand line, grass the whole way. The first fifty minutes is -racing pace, and the grief over the big fences plentiful. Four or five -minutes are lost in a small pit-hole by a farm, where the fox had tried -an earth, and then they are away again, rolling him over in the open -twenty minutes later.</p> - -<p>"A real good thing," is the unanimous verdict, and the Master is only -too glad to tell Mr. Betteridge, when he arrives (which he does after -all has been over some time) that the present animal makes up for the -morning's performance, whereat the heart of "Cottonopolis" is made -joyful again.</p> - -<p>As they ride together to the next draw—Colliston Gorse—Mr. Betteridge -begs Sir John to come and dine with him that night quite alone, and to -help him to interview Mr. James. Sir John, foreseeing a good result, -accepts, and after dinner, at which meal Mr. Betteridge<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> hears some good -wholesome truths, Mr. James is sent for.</p> - -<p>Directly he appears and sees Sir John he knows it is all up, and that -the "Hearl" will not serve him a bit; and his heart fails when Sir John -commences by saying: "Your master has left the matter on which we have -sent for you entirely in my hands." Then, after keeping him on -tenter-hooks for a quarter of an hour, and turning the man inside out, -he relieves him by saying: "The fox from the Osiers saved you, but Mr. -Betteridge has given his word of honour that the next time the hounds -come here and there are no foxes—wild ones I mean—that day is your -last with him, and you go—without a character."</p> - -<p>Mr. James, humbled and apologetic, commences a long string of -protestations and assurances of amendment, but is cut short by "That -will do; go and act, don't talk." Betteridge thinks the Master the most -wonderful man, and cannot make out how he braved<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> Mr. James and the -"Hearl" so cleverly; but he is awfully grateful, and being a man of his -word it is to be hoped that in future there will be foxes at Medemere, -and that he will no longer be under the thumb of—the Keeper.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE AUTHORITY.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>It is ten years since Mr. Hall did the Bullshire country the honour of -becoming a resident, and in that time he has managed to assert himself -considerably, and may now be considered "no small pumpkins." At least -the Hall family look on themselves in that light, and surely they must -be the best judges.</p> - -<p>Hall <i>père</i> is a good-natured open-handed sportsman, who rides the best -horses, smokes the best cigars, and drinks the best wine that money can -procure, but who has the misfortune to consider himself an authority on -sport and hunting, and is also afflicted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> with a weakness for seeing his -lucubrations in print.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Hall, on the other hand, affects the evangelical rôle, and is -forever establishing <i>crèches</i>, forming night-schools, and endeavouring -to lead the young men of Bullshire in the way that they should go. She -is also of a literary turn of mind, and has published more than once -under the auspices of the S.P.C.K. Her latest effort was not quite a -success, owing, she says, to "bitter and unchristian hostility."</p> - -<p>She had spent much time on the completion of a "sporto-religious" -novel—"one that anybody might read without a blush," as she put it; and -when finished she called it "A Heavenly Hunt, or Hints by the Way."</p> - -<p>Harold Lappington and a few kindred spirits, however, were unkind enough -to parody the book; and a week afterwards was distributed broadcast -throughout the country, "Running a Ring, or Hints on Matrimony."</p> - -<p>The joke was too good not to be <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>appreciated, and one may safely say -that the only person who did not see it was Mrs. Hall herself. Even her -husband laughed at her, and talked grandiloquently about writing on -subjects that she did not understand.</p> - -<p>It was for a long time a mystery to the members of the Hunt how the -accounts of their sport got into the papers, and Sir John tried in vain -to discover the reporter. Marvellously accurate were the descriptions of -the run, names of places, distances, what each particular hound did, -where Tom made his cast for better or for worse, and the various -incidents or accidents of the chase were all set forth without an error. -So men came to the conclusion that it must be some one of the -hard-riders, and consequently were more puzzled than ever. Everybody was -accused in turn—the Doctor, the Parson, even Mrs. Talford; but all -denied the soft impeachment.</p> - -<p>When the matter was alluded to at the hunt-dinner by Sir John, it was -noticed that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> Mr. Hall did not look quite as if he was enjoying his -dinner, and whispers of "It's old Hall; look at him," passed from one to -the other.</p> - -<p>"But then Hall never rides a yard. How the deuce could he know all about -it?" said others; and the matter was as far from being solved as ever.</p> - -<p>Old Tom, however, determines to get at the bottom of it, and as he rides -to Brainsty cross-roads, he maps out a plan of operations. It is not a -nice day by any means, a high blustering north-east wind blowing, as Tom -says, "fit to turn yer inside out;" and, as he takes refuge with the -pack behind a barn, the old Huntsman does not anticipate much sport. The -field arrive by twos and threes, with heads bent down and upturned -collars, looking as wretched as men generally do when beating up against -a gale. Almost the last comer is Mr. Hall, who immediately gives it as -his opinion that there cannot possibly be any fun, and that he should -not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> be surprised if Sir John took the hounds home.</p> - -<p>"I've seen 'em run hard in worse weather nor this, sir," says Tom, with -a smile and a shiver.</p> - -<p>"Well, I never have, and you may take it I know something about -hunting," replies the Authority.</p> - -<p>"What's that?" asks the Master, who has just got on to his horse.</p> - -<p>"Nothing, Sir John; nothing. I only said that there would be no sport, -and Tom seems to think differently;" and then, turning to the men about -him, Mr. Hall continues: "It's impossible for any scent to lie with this -wind. Besides, what fox in his senses would face it?"</p> - -<p>"There's more nor one kind o' scent, and if t' fox wunna face t' wind, -ay mun travel wi' it," puts in Tom, and then trots off best pace to draw -Ambleside Banks.</p> - -<p>When they arrive at the covert, Mr. Hall informs everybody that "It is -no use going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> to the far side; no fox ever breaks there. Never has done -yet;" and on some of his audience paying no attention, he shouts: "Oh, -all right; don't blame me if you're thrown out."</p> - -<p>Scarcely are the words out of his mouth than the sound of Tom's horn -comes down on the wind, and the pack are away in full cry, the fox -breaking just where Mr. Hall had said he would not. A sharp burst over -two fields, a quick turn, and then down-wind like lightning, the pace -increasing every yard.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately for the Authority, he does not notice the turn, and, -riding hard along the lane for a point, he finds himself on reaching the -top of a small hill utterly lost, no sign of the hounds and no sound of -any sort to guide him. After riding about aimlessly in every direction -for the best part of an hour, he at last hears tidings of their being -down Hinckley way, and off he goes, only to hear that "T' hounds a-been -gone better nor twenty minutes." It is now getting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> late, so Mr. Hall -makes up his mind to ride home viâ the kennels, where for a moment we -will leave him and return to Tom and the rest of the field.</p> - -<p>After ten minutes as fast as they can go, the fox tries the low wall of -a farmyard, but the pace has been too hot for him, and he falls back -right into the mouths of the pack. Having performed the funeral rites, -Tom gets his orders for Hinckley, and then commence a series of -disappointments. Foxes there are, for one is soon halloed away; but the -hounds can make nothing of it directly they get into the open. Two or -three times this happens, and it becomes evident that Mr. Hall was right -in the main, and that they could not hunt that day. So at last the -Master gives the word for home, for which few blame him.</p> - -<p>As Tom rides along the road to the kennels, he tells Charles and Harry -they are to be sure and say that it has been a first-class thing, and to -back him up in everything he says. Naturally they both wonder what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> the -old man is up to, but Tom holds his peace, and will tell them nothing, -looking the while as knowing as a jackdaw who has just hidden something -valuable. Evidently he has concocted some scheme, and a light begins to -dawn on the two Whips when the figure of Mr. Hall is seen in the -distance.</p> - -<p>"Why, Mayster Hall, wheer an yer been to?" says Tom, as they overtake -the lost one.</p> - -<p>"Well," replies Mr. Hall, "I don't know how it was, but when I got to -Kirby I found I was clean out of it. I took the wrong turn in the wood, -you see. You must have dipped the hill, and the infernal wind was so -high I could not hear you."</p> - -<p>"Dear-a me, that was a pity! you missed summat good," exclaims Tom, with -a sorrowful or rather pitiful expression.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hall eagerly snaps at the bait and asks for full -particulars—whether they killed? where they went? who was up? etc. -etc.; all of which information the Huntsman supplies with the gravest of -countenances, inventing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> as he goes along. Charles and Harry are nearly -convulsed, and it is with the utmost difficulty that they are able to -speak when appealed to by old Tom to corroborate his statements.</p> - -<p>"By Jove, Tom, that was a good thing," says the Authority. "I said that -they could only run down wind. You may always trust me about hunting. -Why, its nearly nine miles straight on end! How long did you say?"</p> - -<p>"Fifty-five minutes, weren't it, Charles?" replies Tom, appealing to the -First Whip.</p> - -<p>"Summat about there," answers Charles, turning away and muttering: "Lord -forgive us, what a start!"</p> - -<p>Mr. Hall then bids good-night to the hunt-servants, and trots home as -pleased as Punch.</p> - -<p>That evening, after Sir John has finished his dinner, his butler tells -him that the Huntsman wishes to speak a word to him, and then Tom tells -his master the story, and what he expected would come of it.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p><p>"He'll never forgive you, Tom, if you are right in what you think; and -he's one of our best supporters," exclaimed Sir John, roaring with -laughter.</p> - -<p>"Never fear, sir, never fear. I can work round him right enow; and I'm -thinking, Sir John, if so be as you will say naught, but just write up -the week after to contradict the whole thing, it will give Mr. Hall a -lesson. He dursn't say anything, as he knows you don't like the 'ounds -wrote of, and the paper won't have no more from Mr. 'Black Hat'" (the -<i>nom de plume</i> of the Bullshire correspondent).</p> - -<p>Next Saturday morning, as sure as fate, men are surprised to see a -description of an extraordinary run from Ambleside, as follows:</p> - -<blockquote><p class="center">"<span class="smcap">A Remarkably Good Day with the Bullshire.</span></p> - -<p>"On Tuesday last this sporting pack had a wonderfully good run in a -gale of wind. There was not a large muster at the meet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> (Brainsty -cross-roads) owing to the inclemency of the weather, but those who -were bold enough to face the elements had no cause to regret their -temerity. The first draw was Ambleside Banks, noted throughout the -country for the stoutness of its foxes; and on the day in question -it fully kept up its reputation, for scarcely had that best of -huntsmen, Tom Wilding, thrown his hounds into covert, than a real -traveller broke away with the pack almost at his brush. Strange to -say he headed straight up wind, notwithstanding that, as I have -said, it was blowing a gale, and made the best of his way to Kirby -village; then, turning to the right, he led them a cracking pace -over the vale through Shawston to Hinckley Wood; here he was -inclined to hang in covert, but the hounds would not be denied, and -forced him out, when he made his point for Lyston, some three miles -off. The pace had been very fast and the country very stiff, so -that the field was greatly reduced, and there were many<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> cases of -<i>profundit humi</i>. Most of the first flight, however, were 'all -there,' including, among others, <i>place aux dames</i>, Mrs. Talford, -Sir John Lappington (the Master), Mr. Halston, and Mr. Bowles. -About a mile from Lyston there was a short but welcome check, owing -to the fox having been coursed by a sheep-dog; but Tom, by a -judicious cast, hit off the line, and they were away again. Leaving -Lyston on the left (Reynard having tried the earths there, and -found no admittance), the line lay through Oxley, over the -brook—which proved a serious obstacle to more than one -sportsman—indeed, there were, as might have been expected -considering the pace, more in than over. But to continue. Having -run straight through the village of Oxley, this gallant fox made -for Mr. Browne's farm on the hill; but, unfortunately for him, the -hounds were close at his brush, and before he could reach that -bourne the 'who-whoop' had sounded his <i>requiem</i>. Mr. Browne, with -his usual hospitality, regaled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> those who were there to see the -end, and a nip of his famous ginger brandy was an offer not to be -refused, especially with a long ride home in the teeth of the wind. -The time from start to finish was an hour and five minutes, almost -without a check, and the distance from point to point could not be -less than nine miles. When this celebrated pack have another run -such as that I have endeavoured to describe, may I be again there to see.</p> - -<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Black Hat.</span>"</p></blockquote> - -<p>"Who the deuce can have written all that farrago of nonsense?" says Mr. -Boulter. "Why, we never ran more than a mile and a half." And the -Secretary is not the only one who makes anxious inquiries.</p> - -<p>Mr. Hall has been away in London, and, having only returned that morning -is in blissful ignorance of the way he has been taken in.</p> - -<p>As he arrives there is a general shout of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> "Here, Hall, you're an -Authority; some idiot has been cooking up an account of Tuesday's sport -and writing to the papers. You never read such a pack of lies in your -life. We must stop this sort of thing. What should be done?"</p> - -<p>The gentleman's feelings can be better imagined than described, and as -he stammers out "I have not seen the paper," he wishes himself elsewhere.</p> - -<p>It is noticed that that day he does not give his opinion on the -whereabouts of a fox in quite such an authoritative manner, and avoids -everybody as much as possible. Of course he soon hears the true account, -and on the following Saturday his cup is filled when he reads under the -same heading as his own—viz. "A Remarkably Good Day with the -Bullshire"—</p> - -<blockquote><p>"<span class="smcap">Sir</span>,—I beg to inform you that the account of a run on Tuesday -week with these hounds, which you gave in your last<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> issue, was -entirely fictitious, as we had no sport after the first ten -minutes, the hounds being unable to hunt.—I remain yours -obediently,</p> - -<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">J. Lappington</span>, Master B.H."</p></blockquote> - -<p>How old Tom managed to smooth the irate individual down is not known, -but nothing more ever came of it, save that "Black Hat" no longer sends -accounts to the papers of sport with the Bullshire Hounds.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE BLACKSMITH.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>Seven <span class="smaller">A.M.</span> The church clock rings out the hour in the clear still -morning, and the smoke goes up straight into the air from the chimneys -of the cottages of Lappington village. One by one the good dames appear -at their doors with tucked-up sleeves and heads beshawled, and commence -the operation of vigorously shaking strips of carpet, and generally -setting things straight.</p> - -<p>Their lords and masters have ere this gone to their work, and, with the -inevitable short pipe in their mouths, are tramping along best pace to -keep up a circulation and keep out the chill of the early morn.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p><p>But there is another sound which mingles itself with the chiming clock -and the Babel of female voices; it is the measured "clang, clang" of -iron to iron, and as one wends ones way towards that part of the village -from whence it comes, the dull roar of the furnace and the sparks flying -upwards tell us that we are approaching "t' smithy," and that Joe -Billings and his mate are hard at work.</p> - -<p>Presently, three of the Squires horses are seen coming up the road in -their clothing, and Joe, having nearly completed the shoeing of the farm -nags that had been there since half-past six, turns his attention to the -wants of their more noble companions. "Two shod all round and one -removed," says the groom as he comes up; "and look here, old man, don't -keep us waiting no longer than you can help; it's a bit chilly this morning."</p> - -<p>"First come first served," replies Joe; and turning to his mate: "'Ere, -Bill, look out them 'unting shoes for t' Squire's 'osses. Who-ho, mare, -'old up;" and the rasp of the file again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> plays an accompaniment to the -tune that Joe whistles as he works.</p> - -<p>"Now then, mayster," says he to the Squire's groom as he finishes; and -the hunters being brought up to the forge the anvil chorus strikes up, -and the lads clap their hands as the sparks fly from the red-hot iron. -More horses arrive, and grooms grumble among themselves at having to -wait their turn. Some try and persuade Joe by soft words to give them -precedence, others say they wish they had gone to some rival shop; but -Joe pays no attention to them, merely giving vent to his favourite -maxim: "First come first served."</p> - -<p>At last one impatient youngster who does not know the Lappington -Blacksmith, having only come down from London a few days before, -commences to bully, and says: "Look 'ere, I ain't going to 'ave my -'osses catch their deaths of cold while you tinkers that moke," pointing -to a rough pony belonging to a small market-gardener. "I'll just speak -to my governor about it. I'm d——d if I'll come<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> here again. Gemmen's -'osses first's what I say—do'e hear, slow coach?"</p> - -<p>Never a word answers Joe, and the bystanders smile; but the young groom -loses his temper, and tries to take the "moke," as he calls it, away, -and substitute his own horses.</p> - -<p>Then Joe does look up, and dropping the foot on which he was at work, -says: "My lad, you'll get yourself into trouble in a minute."</p> - -<p>"How's that?" asks the groom.</p> - -<p>"Why," replies Joe slowly, "if you don't drop that pony's head in two -twos, I shall have to teach you manners. I ain't a quarrelsome chap, but -when a whipper-snapper like you comes messing with my business it's a -bit too hot. I'm blowed if I shan't have to lock you up, or put you in -the pond. Drop it, will yer?" and then, as the young fool persists, he -suddenly walks up to him, seizes him as he would a dog, and putting him -into a shed where he keeps his old iron, turns the key, and with a -chuckle resumes his work, whistling the while as gaily as ever.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p><p>Nor does he let the infuriated master of the horse out of his -confinement till he has finished the quadrupeds, when, opening the door, -with mock politeness, he says: "Your lordship's 'osses is done, if so be -you've a mind to take 'em away."</p> - -<p>Shouts of laughter greet the groom as he emerges from the shed, and -angry as he is he has sense enough to see that the laugh is not on his -side; so without a word he trots off, inwardly vowing vengeance against -Joe Billings.</p> - -<p>"There'll be a bother over this job, Joe," says Harry the Second Whip, -who has come down to the forge from the kennels. "Young Cock-a-hoop will -make a fine tale of it when he gets home."</p> - -<p>"Well," replies Joe, "what can they do? If they takes the shoeing away -it won't break me, and when I says a thing I means it. Them as comes -first is served first, and if they don't like it they can lump it."</p> - -<p>After finishing off with Harry, Joe slips on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> his coat (such a coat too! -all patched, grimy, and full of small holes burnt by the sparks), and, -rolling up his leather apron, he takes himself away to see if "t' missus -has got breakfust ready." Half an hour suffices for his meal, and by the -time he returns he finds quite a string awaiting his arrival, and he -sets to work with a will.</p> - -<p>At last he comes to a horse shod on the French system, with the shoe let -in and the frog on the ground, and he calls his mate to point it out. -"Here, Bill," says he, "here's one of them Charley shoes as I was -a-telling you of. Did yer ever see such a fanglement?" "Why, there ain't -no bloomin' shoe at all," replies his assistant, gazing open-mouthed, -and listening to Joe's lecture on the subject. "Be we to shoe 'un like -that, I wonder?"</p> - -<p>"No, no, my lad," interrupts the groom in charge; "the governor only -tried it as an experiment, and he wants the 'oss shod in the usual way -again."</p> - -<p>"Proper way, you means," says Joe; "you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> won't catch me a-doing an -animal after that fashion, I can tell yer. Them experiments is all very -well for the Mossoos, who don't 'unt, but when it comes to gitting over -a country—laws, it's ridickerlous!"</p> - -<p>By ten o'clock Joe has pretty nearly finished, except an odd job or two, -such as tacking on a loose shoe for Mr. Grimes the butcher, or "fettling -up" old Betty Wilson's donkey, and he has time to turn his attention to -a ploughshare or a harrow that requires doctoring, or maybe the springs -of Farmer Giles's tax-cart.</p> - -<p>As he is engaged on one of these a lad runs in panting and out of breath -with a message as "'ow Mr. Stiles would be main glad if Mayster Billings -would step over and look at t' red coo, as 'e's afeard on 'er dropping."</p> - -<p>"Right, my lad," says Joe; "just nip down and tell my missus to give yer -my medicine-box and that bottle of stuff as stands in the winder, and -then come back wi' 'em."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p><p>It may be gathered from this that Joe combines the office of cow-doctor -with his other employment; and I may safely say that a better one of the -old-fashioned school could hardly be found anywhere. Certainly his -remedies for both cow and horse are simple to a degree. Nevertheless, he -is entirely successful, and by a sort of rule of thumb dispenses -medicine, of which the analysis may be peculiar, but the efficacy undoubted.</p> - -<p>He has the greatest contempt for all veterinary surgeons, and is wont to -say he "would as soon shoot the beast as let them mess any cow of his about."</p> - -<p>Patent medicine is another of his pet aversions, and it is a sort of -standing joke to ask him his opinion of "Hoplemuroma" or -"Neurasthenhipponskellisterizon."</p> - -<p>"Oh, get out. Don't come blathering me with yer hops and skillyrison!" -he will say. "'Ow the deuce do I know what muck they puts into 'em? -Suppose I was to call one of my oils 'Smithyjoebillingtonyeyson,' what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -the —— would old Farmer Stiles say, and what better stuff would it be -for all its crack-jaw name? No, damme, call a spade a spade. None o' -that new-fangled bosh for Joe Billings."</p> - -<p>Joe has been at the smithy for some five-and-twenty years now, and -though he numbers considerably over fifty years of age, is as hale and -hearty a man as one would wish to see. One failing he has got which -generally attacks him on Saturday nights, and that is a miscalculation -as to the amount of liquor he can comfortably carry. A dangerous man is -he to cross when in his cups, moreover, for his arm is as powerful as -the leg of a horse, and he has besides got some knowledge of the noble art.</p> - -<p>Indeed it is within the recollection of many a Lappingtonian how Joe at -one time fought with the "Brummagem Pet" for twenty-five pounds a-side, -and how, though terribly mauled, he stuck to it like a man, and, blinded -as he was, managed in the sixteenth round to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> knock "the Pet" out of -time with a terrific left-hander on the temple, shouting as he delivered -the blow: "There's a taste of Bullshire for yer!"</p> - -<p>However, it is not often that the sturdy Blacksmith gets into a row, for -he would far sooner sit still and listen to an account of a good run or -the records of some bygone champion of the Ring. Indeed, everything -connected with sport of any kind goes straight to his soul, and that -there are few sporting subjects you can mention he does not know -something about is evident from the pertinent remarks he occasionally lets fall.</p> - -<p>On a hunting-day, if the hounds are anywhere within reach, Joe may be -seen at the smithy with an array of different-sized shoes ready laid out -beside him, and as he works on some job in the shop he keeps one eye -down the road, on the look-out for some unfortunate sportsman who has -had the misfortune to get a shoe off.</p> - -<p>It is his pride that he can tack a shoe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> on quicker than any man in the -country. "Yer see," he says, "I 'as 'em all ready by me, and when I sees -the gent a-coming, I 'ain't got no cause to look 'ere and there and -heverywhere for the stuff I wants. There they are, and it's on and away -in a jiff."</p> - -<p>All the time he is asking the sportsman about the day: "What sort of a -run? where he left the hounds? and where they was a-going to draw next?" -And then, having received his due, he will step outside, take a look -which way the wind is, and direct the thrown-out fox-hunter as to his -most likely course in order to hit off the hounds again.</p> - -<p>Odd to say, he is seldom wrong (unless, indeed, they have had a quick -find, and gone away before the sportsman arrives at the indicated spot); -for long experience has taught Joe all the short cuts in the country, -together with which he combines an innate knowledge of the run of a fox. -Old Tom Wilding the Huntsman, and Sir John Lappington the Master, are, -in his opinion, the two greatest men in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> England. For, as he puts it, -"Without them two where would be the 'ounds? and without the 'ounds -where would my bloomin' business go to?"</p> - -<p>Then perhaps someone will point out that he might make a better thing -out of cow-doctoring; but his reply will be: "Oh, that's your opinion, -is it? well; it ain't mine. Look'ee 'ere—any fool, 'cept a vetery, -who's got a ounce of sense, can do a cow; but mark yer, it takes a -goodish time to make a man a blacksmith; and though I say it as perhaps -shouldn't, there ain't a man as I gives in to in the matter of shoeing -an 'oss, no matter where he comes from. No, as long as I can use my arm" -(and he bares a limb that would not disgrace a statue of Hercules), "and -there's any wind in the old bellows, I sticks to t' smithy. Blacksmith I -was bred, and so I'll die; and all I wants is, when our ould parson 'as -finished the reading over my grave, to 'ave a plain bit of a 'eadstone -put up, with simple 'Joe Billings, the Lappington Blacksmith,' wrote on -it;" and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> then Joe will turn to and whistle a lively air, just to get -the idea of his demise out of his head, and the bystanders will say -among themselves that at present they can't spare old Joe, who has for -five-and-twenty years made the sparks fly and rung out the anvil chorus -in the smithy at Lappington.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE RUNNER.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>There is no better-known individual in the whole of the Bullshire Hunt -perhaps than Jack Whistler the Runner, or, as is he more commonly -called, "Jumping Jack." His antecedents are somewhat obscure, and -various contradictory stories are told as to who he is and what he was; -but his presence at the end of a long run, or in any spot where he -thinks he may have the chance of earning an honest shilling, is a -positive certainty.</p> - -<p>How he manages to turn up at the right moment is only another of the -mysteries which surround him; but the fact remains the same,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span> that Jack -has solved the problem of "how to be in two places at once" most -satisfactorily. No matter how long the day has been, or how many miles -he has to go back to the place where he is supposed to have his home, -the next day you will see him at the meet as fresh as paint, in his old -pink-and-brown leather gaiters, with the same keen eye and half-saucy -smile on his face as he doffs his well-worn velvet cap at your approach.</p> - -<p>Full of quaint humour is Jack, with many a story of sport, and many a -reminiscence of flood and field, which he delights in relating to anyone -he can get to listen to him.</p> - -<p>"Ger on with yer," he will say to a crowd of gaping rustics; "ger on -with yer—call last Wednesday's a run? Why, bless yer, I remember in the -old Squire's time, when we run from Finchley cross-roads to Ipply Gorse, -better nor five-and-twenty mile, and old Mayster Simpson got up to his -neck in the brook, and I stood on the bank fit to bust mysen with -larfin, and wouldna pull un out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> under two half-crowns. Ah! them was -days, I can tell yer."</p> - -<p>And then, some mounted cavalier arriving, off goes the hunting-cap, and -he accosts the sportsman with "Morning, captin'; fine scenting day; hold -your horse? thankee, sir," all in one breath.</p> - -<p>Not a hound in the pack but what knows him and is glad to see him; and -he can call them all by name, and give you their pedigree without a -mistake. As old Tom says: "Where he picks up his knowledge Lord knows, -but 'e's never wrong, and, by Guy, 'e's a puzzler to be sure."</p> - -<p>It is getting near the end of the season, and the weather is just a -trifle warm, as old Tom with the hounds overtakes Jack Whistler making -his way towards the meet at Fairleigh. There is a breakfast there, and -Jack likes to be in time on those occasions, for he knows that he will -earn many a sixpence before the actual work begins, besides getting his -day's food and drink gratis.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p><p>"Holloa, old man, what have yer got there? going a-fishing?" exclaims -Tom as he comes up with the pedestrian. "What's that thing for?" -pointing to a light pole that Jack is balancing on his shoulder.</p> - -<p>"Fishing be blowed," is the reply, "it's my jumper. Don't yer see it's a -bit 'ot, and old Riley" (a fellow-runner in a neighbouring pack) "put me -up to the tip last week as ever was. He says, says he: 'Why don't yer -have a pole made? it ain't much to carry, and you can get over hanythink -with it.' So I've had this fettled up, and I've been pract<i>is</i>ing a bit -with it, and I can go fine now I can tell yer."</p> - -<p>"Oh, that's it, is it?" says Tom. "Well, I should a thought it were more -trouble than it were worth carrying a great fishing-rod of a thing like -that about."</p> - -<p>"Ger out," retorts Jack; "it ain't nothing when yer used to it. I -thought it were a new-fangled notion at first, and I came nigh breaking -my neck two or three times over a pigsty wall afore I got into it; but -look'ee 'ere, it's as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> easy as shelling peas;" and Jack proceeds to show -Tom his prowess in the noble art of saltation.</p> - -<p>Taking a short run, with a "Ger back, hounds," he essays to top the -fence out of the road; but, alas, to the intense amusement of Tom and -the two Whips, his pole sinks into some soft ground, and poor Jack falls -all of a heap into the wet ditch on the far side, uttering the while -exclamations the reverse of complimentary against the treacherous friend -of his travels that had so basely betrayed him.</p> - -<p>When he appears, scratched and muddy, in the road again, as soon as Tom -can stop laughing he advises him to "leave the bloomin' pole where it -is, and not go cutting any more capers of that sort." But Jack's dander -is up, and his only reply is to shoulder his weapon and walk on. -Presently they arrive at the fixture, and Mr. Whistler's hands are quite -full. Indeed, what between laying in a cargo for himself and looking -after horses while their<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> owners do the like, he has not much time to -talk.</p> - -<p>Then comes the business of altering stirrups, tightening girths, and -looking after his tips. A marvellous memory does Jack show in this -latter respect. Vain indeed is it to try and put on an air of unconcern -at his approach, as if you had never seen him before, or as if you had -entirely forgotten the service he rendered you when you got that spill -last week, and he recovered your horse for you on the promise of -half-a-crown.</p> - -<p>Jack remembers the circumstance well and the promise better, and he will -sidle up to you with a smile, and say: "Morning cap'n. None the worse -for the fall? Have not seen yer out since. Hope you won't forget Jack;" -and then, having received his recompense, his quick eye catches sight of -another debtor, and with a "Thank'ee kindly, sir," he is off to collect -more dues.</p> - -<p>What he likes best is being taken as a pilot by some comparative -stranger to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> country, whose heart is not placed in that position -requisite to enable him to follow the hounds or ride straight. Then he -is in his glory, and from his knowledge of the highways and byways he -invariably manages to nick in at various points, and eventually brings -his craft safely into port without any casualties.</p> - -<p>Of course for this he expects something handsome, and though he makes no -bargain he has got a way of returning thanks for any gift he deems -insufficient that shows plainly enough his opinion, and generally -extracts something in addition. To-day, by the time the hounds move off, -Jack has made quite a haul, for, being near the end of the season, men -have "remembered the Runner." He is in high feather, and what between -pleasure and the effects of the old ale, he is a little unsteady and -more garrulous than usual.</p> - -<p>"Wheer to, Mayster Wilding?" he asks Tom, as he shoulders his pole and -swings it in close proximity to the Huntsman's head.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p><p>"Mind what you're a-doin' of, a-poking a fellow's eye out with that -thing. We're a goin' to draw the gorse first, but you'd better leave -that blessed article behind, or you'll be killing somebody," retorts -Tom, riding off, while Jack, with a laugh, swings off best pace towards -the first draw, and as soon as he arrives at the gorse places himself in -a commanding position to await the turn of events.</p> - -<p>Just as the hounds are thrown in there is a bit of commotion down at the -other end, and a loose horse galloping past tells the tale of a -misfortune. Away goes Jack in hot chase, and manages to catch the -riderless steed in a trice. When he returns he finds it is Mr. -Betteridge, who, having trusted himself on a new purchase, has been fain -to dismount rather more hurriedly than he intended. However, no bones -are broken, and Jack, having added another bit of silver to his day's -earnings, betakes himself to where he had left his pole.</p> - -<p>It is a quick find, and the fox breaks close by Mr. Whistler, who, as -soon as he sees him<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span> well away, gives vent to his feelings in a somewhat -beery view holloa, and then proceeds to follow as fast as he can. At the -bottom of the meadow, below the gorse, runs a broadish brook, and a good -many turn away for the road and bridge which spans the obstacle. On any -other occasion Jack would have done the same, but his failure in the -road and old Tom's laughter still rankles in his bosom, and as he runs -down towards the water he clutches his pole and says to himself: "I'll -show some on 'em as I ain't a-going to be second. I'll pound a few on -'em I'll bet. I do 'ope that old beggar Tom 'ull get a wet jacket."</p> - -<p>As the hounds dash in and feather about on the other side, Tom and the -hard-riders pull up to see which way the line lies and whether the fox -is over or not. But Jack does not stop a moment, and with an exultant -shout of "Come on, gents, what are yer waiting for?" he jumps as far as -he can, and, holding his pole in a slanting position, plunges it in to -aid him in his journey over the water.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p><p>The pole touches the bottom and then sinks into about two feet of mud, -leaving Jack suspended in mid-air. A momentary pause, and with a "Rot -the thing!" the Runner disappears from view beneath the waters of the -brook, emerging on the other side half drowned and covered with black -slime, while the instrument of his misfortune remains erect in the -middle.</p> - -<p>"I <i>thought</i> you was a-going fishing," says Tom with a chuckle; as he -lands safe by the side of Jack, and then as he passes him to get to the -hounds: "You'd better take a few lessons from your pal Riley afore you -try again."</p> - -<p>The rest of the spectators are nearly in a state of collapse with -laughter, both at the pitiable sight Jack presents as well as at the -murderous glances he casts at the pole; but hounds are running and there -is no time to lose, so the chase sweeps past and he is left alone in his -misery to make the best of his way home. As soon as Jack has scraped -<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>himself a bit clean and wrung out his coat, he feels carefully in his -pockets to see if all his gains are safe; and finding everything right -in that respect he brightens up, and leaving his pole where it is, moves -off at a brisk jog-trot to the nearest public to <i>dry</i> the outer and -<i>wet</i> the inner man.</p> - -<p>When next he appears at the door he shows evident signs that he has -accomplished the latter part of his purpose, for his course is anything -but straight, and after taking nearly an hour to do half a mile he -manages to stagger into a barn, where in a few moments he is "wrapt in -sweet slumber."</p> - -<p>He is not, however, likely to take any harm from the proceeding, for he -is used to the sort of sleeping-place, and will turn out next morning—a -little red about the eyes perhaps—but ready to go any distance with the -hounds, and, what is more, equally ready for some more of the "hair of -the dog that bit him."</p> - -<p>Passionately fond of hounds and hunting,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> he enjoys life thoroughly -during the winter, and lives on the fat of the land; but when what he -calls the "stinking violets and primroses" appear, things are not so -pleasant. "Othello's occupation gone," he has to fall back on odd jobs -and an occasional half-a-crown from Sir John or some of his friends, -and, failing these, may be generally found "at home" at the "red house," -maybe better known as the "workus."</p> - -<p>Vagabond he is, and vagabond he will remain. Nevertheless, there is many -a man who would be sorry to hear of anything serious happening to Jack -Whistler the Bullshire Runner.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE MAN AT THE TOLL-BAR.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>The greatest friend or enemy of John Pillings could hardly accuse him of -being either an over-sociable or too-genial individual. In fact, he has -earned throughout the length and breadth of the county the nickname of -"Ould Sulky," and is perhaps better known by that sobriquet than by the -more lawful patronymic bestowed upon him by his parents and his -godfather and godmother at his baptism.</p> - -<p>This being the case, it may fairly be said that Pillings has at last -settled down into his proper place, and is one of the few instances of -the "round man in a round hole."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> He has not always been at the -toll-gate; on the contrary, his life has been somewhat varied, and he -has experienced a good many of the ups and downs of the world.</p> - -<p>He began by being "bound 'prentice" to a carpenter, but his temper was -against him, and so when his time was up he took to the more active life -of a sailor.</p> - -<p>Here again his enemy found him out, and he said good-bye to his -shipmates without much sorrow on their part. "'Bout as much use -a-talking to <i>him</i> as a marlinspike. Mate yer calls him! Nasty sulky -beggar! In everybody's mess and nobody's watch," was the general verdict -of the men; so it was no wonder they were glad to see him go over the -side.</p> - -<p>For the second time Mr. Pillings was in want of a job, and on this -occasion he took to butchering, which he thought might be more likely to -agree with his temperament. But in about two months he quarrelled with -his master, and after they had had it out in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> the slaughter-house -Pillings found himself once more in the world with three half-crowns in -his pocket, about ten pounds at the bank, and a pair of as beautiful -black eyes as one would wish to see, to say nothing of a nose three -times its proper size, and a good many teeth very shaky.</p> - -<p>When he had got his countenance back to its pristine beauty he tried his -hand at The Red Cow as barman, and, strange to say, he managed to get on -in this capacity very well.</p> - -<p>The Red Cow, it must be known, is an inn much frequented by the knights -of the pencil, so that Pillings, by keeping his ears open, and by a few -judicious investments, soon managed to make a nice little nest-egg for -himself; and having fallen a victim to the charms of the chambermaid, he -offered to share his fortune with her.</p> - -<p>Unfortunately for him the lady was "willing," and in a few months became -Mrs. P., and shortly afterwards a mother.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p><p>The landlord of The Red Cow, on finding it out, was exceeding wroth, -and sent John and his spouse packing instanter, which, as may be -supposed, did not improve the man's temper or conduce to the domestic -happiness of his wife.</p> - -<p>After various ups and downs too numerous to enter into, to make a long -story short, John Pillings, through the interest of a "friend at court," -found himself installed at the gate-house, with nothing to do but open -the gate, take the toll, and occasionally vary the monotony of existence -by getting tipsy and belabouring his spouse. The latter event has become -more frequent of late years, as, unlike the generality of things, the -older he gets the <i>tighter</i> he gets, and often people are surprised to -find the gate open and no one to take the money, "Old Sulky" being drunk -in bed, and his wife having taken refuge with a neighbour until her -husband is all right again.</p> - -<p>When he is not in a hopeless condition<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> he is as smart as needs be, and -a very 'cute man indeed it would have to be who could manage to evade -the toll while the Man at the Gate was on the look-out.</p> - -<p>What Pillings likes best is, on a market morning to keep the gate shut, -and then when the farmers come hurrying up and shout: "Now then, gate; -hi! gate," he will turn out, look up and down the road, and go slowly up -to the tax-cart, or whatever the indignant individual may be in, and say -"Toll."</p> - -<p>"Hang you; open the gate, and look sharp," is the probable reply, as the -money is handed down.</p> - -<p>"Sha'n't go no quicker; ain't paid no more for looking sharp. If ye'r in -such a bloomin' hurry, open it yerself," says Pillings, as he slowly -unfastens the bolt and swings the gate back, laughing to himself as the -farmers, pouring imprecations on his head, dash through.</p> - -<p>More than once has "Ould Sulky" been the object of such delicate -attentions as having<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> his door nailed up, and twice has the toll-gate -been lifted off its hinges and carried bodily into the next parish. A -very short time ago a few adventurous spirits, coming home from the -market-town and finding the toll-gate open, stormed the gate-house, -where Pillings was lying dead-drunk upstairs, and lifting him into their -trap they carried him off to the nearest pound, where, having borrowed a -wheelbarrow, they left him for the night; and the next morning the -people of the village were astonished to see the keeper of the tollbar -reposing, <i>à la</i> Pickwick, "drunk in a wheelbarrow."</p> - -<p>John Pillings was perfectly furious, and did all he could to find out -with the aid of the police who the offenders were; but the matter coming -to the ears of Sir John Lappington in his capacity as chairman of the -bench of magistrates, he thought it best to give "Ould Sulky" a timely -hint that, unless he reformed, he would find himself again on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> the -world, and also recommended him strongly to give up searching for his -abductors.</p> - -<p>Perhaps the Master's brother, Harold Lappington, having been the prime -mover in the freak, had as much to do with this sage counsel as Sir -John's magisterial capacity; but no matter how that is, suffice it that -Pillings dropped the subject like a hot potato, and fell back on his own -thoughts for comfort.</p> - -<p>He says now: "I'll be even with them scamps some day, or my name ain't -Pillings. As soon as ever I finds out—and find 'em I will, police or no -police—I'll smash 'em; you see."</p> - -<p>Old Tom and the Master he holds in great dread, and looks up to them -with as much veneration as his nature is capable of feeling. But for the -common herd, <i>alias</i> the field, he has no respect, and often makes -himself exceedingly unpleasant to boot. If the hounds happen to run his -way, and the macadam brigade come galloping down the road, "Ould<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> Sulky" -is out in a jiff, and bang goes the gate, while he stands in front and -utters the monosyllabic "Toll."</p> - -<p>"Oh, all right, open the gate, the last man will pay," shouts someone.</p> - -<p>"You'll only go through one at a time, and you'll each pay, or I'll know -the reason why. I've never found that last cove 'as any money along with -him," retaliates Pillings; and there he will stand taking each man's -money and fumbling about for the change, till all the luckless ones are -through and the hounds are well out of sight and hearing.</p> - -<p>Then "Sulky" will retire to his den with a chuckle and put away the -money, muttering to himself: "Last chap 'ull pay! Likely as I'm going to -be took in a that 'uns. Don't fancy they'll see much of t' hounds again -anyhow."</p> - -<p>Of course if Sir John or Tom happens to be there Pillings is civility -itself, and there is no question of first or last, for he knows it would -not do, and that if he were to play those sort of pranks with the Master -his place would not be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> worth an hour's purchase. As it is, he is often -hard put to it to find an excuse for his behaviour; but he somehow -manages to escape by the skin of his teeth, and from constant repetition -his performances are looked upon as a regular institution in the county.</p> - -<p>It is, however, whispered abroad that another year will see a different -face at the gate, for even the most conservative of mortals is apt to -tire of John's rudeness, and so they are only waiting a favourable -opportunity in order to get rid of him altogether.</p> - -<p>They have repeatedly tried to have the turnpike removed from the road, -and have pointed out the inconvenience and annoyance of the thing; but -hitherto their efforts have been of no avail, so now they have given it -up as a bad job, and have banded themselves together to catch out the -principal cause of the nuisance. If they are successful, and Pillings is -again out of employment, it will be a difficult matter with him to find -bread for himself and wife, for it is extremely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> doubtful whether anyone -in Bullshire would care to have so morose and drunken a servant about -their premises.</p> - -<p>Perhaps after a month or two in the workhouse, he may turn over a new -leaf and so get some berth; but under existing circumstances, as old Tom -told him one day, if he loses his place he will have either to starve or -let himself out as a scarecrow at so much a-day. Therefore, for his own -sake, it is to be hoped next season he will improve his manners, and so -remain in the only position for which he is suited—to wit, the Man at -the Toll-bar.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> - -<h2>WHO-WHOOP!</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>A bright warm morning in April, with just enough keenness in the air to -make one say to oneself: "There's a chance of a scent this morning."</p> - -<p>A day on which that peculiar freshness of the new-born spring seems to -pervade everything. The buds on the roadside hedges, wet with a passing -shower, sparkle and glint in the sunshine, and the grass on the banks is -green and moist.</p> - -<p>Even old Tom feels the effect of the glorious day, though he does -anathematise the "stinking violets" as he rides to the closing meet at -Fallow Field, and wonders<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> "'ow in the name of all that's merciful t' -hounds can work in cover with the 'nation primroses a-coming out."</p> - -<p>Still, he knows well that there has been such a thing before now as a -real "buster" in April, and he looks approvingly on the surroundings, -and mutters to himself that, "If t' sun wunna come out too strong, they -may be able to do summat arter all."</p> - -<p>As the hounds move jauntily along, it is evident to the merest tyro that -their condition is as nearly perfect as can be, and that the wear and -tear of the past season has had but little effect on them. Indeed Tom is -quite ready to go on the whole year round if it were possible; and as -Harry rides after Belldame, whose spirits have got the better of her -discipline (an old hare in the hedgerow having proved irresistible), he -says: "Let t' ould bitch alone, Harry; 'er won't 'ave another chance -this year, more's the pity; they mun do as they're a-mind to-day—till -wa cum to business at all events."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p><p>So Belldame saves her bacon, and the old hare having got clean off, she -returns to her place looking somewhat crestfallen.</p> - -<p>Everybody in the country is at Fallow Field—men on horses of all sorts, -shapes, and sizes. Even a donkey carries a living freight for the day, -and is transformed into a "perfect fencer." Vehicles of every -description are drawn up at the trysting-place, from the mail-phaeton -and pair of steppers to the more humble conveyance of the costermonger.</p> - -<p>Those who can find nothing whereon they may ride are fain to turn out -afoot, but turn out they do in scores; and no wonder, for in a country -like Bullshire, where every man, woman, and child have the spirit of -sport strong upon them, each one is bound to see the last day of the -season, and if they cannot all hope to be in at the death, still they -can see the hounds find and go away, which is more than half the battle, -and will give food for conversation for many a week afterwards.</p> - -<p>Of course all our old friends are there.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> The Parson and Doctor ride up -together, and receive quite an ovation from the foot-people; then -shortly afterwards the popular Secretary arrives, and causes the usual -commotion among the gentlemen in arrears with their subscriptions.</p> - -<p>The Simmses have joined old Tom and the hounds on the road, and their -advent is the signal for a ringing cheer, which is quickly suppressed -when Sir John is seen cantering up with Harold, Mrs. Talford, and the -Colonel; the Major, with a heap more, bringing up the rear.</p> - -<p>Of course the Major has a deal of fault to find with everything, as -usual; and, equally of course, the Boaster is spinning a yarn of his own -prowess, and endeavouring to impress Mr. Betteridge with the idea that -he is the only man of the hunt who has gone straight during the season.</p> - -<p>Jack the Runner is making a good haul, and, were he provident, might be -able to lay by a little store to help through the summer;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> but, as we -know, he is exactly the reverse, and whatever he earns to-day will be -clean gone by the end of the week, if not before.</p> - -<p>"Well, Tom," says the Parson, from the middle of the pack (he has -dismounted, and is surrounded by his favourites), "I suppose you won't -be sorry to give the horn a bit of rest, eh? What say you, Minstrel?" -turning to the old hound.</p> - -<p>"Sorry, Master Halston; I shanna know what to do wi' mysen till wa begin -cubbing. It's allas the same, and t' hounds feel it just like I," -replies Tom. "But never mind," he continues with a smile, "if so be as -you'll gie us a sermon now and again about fox-'unting, I make no doubt -we shall do."</p> - -<p>"Well, Tom, I should be puzzled for a text, I think," rejoins the -Parson; "perhaps you will find one for me."</p> - -<p>At which remark the bystanders smile, for old Tom is not a very regular -attendant; but the smile breaks into a loud peal of laughter when the -Huntsman retaliates as quick as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> thought by saying: "Ay, I wull; you -wunna have far to look. You can take for the first Sunday, 'Many dogs -a-cum about me;' and then for the next week, as a wind-up, you can give -us 'The fat bulls of Bashan,' and say what a murdering nuisance they was -a-crossing the line." And with a "Coop, coom away, hounds," he rides -away, having scored one most emphatically.</p> - -<p>At this juncture Sir John, having pulled out his watch, gives the -signal, and away they trot to the first draw, which unfortunately proves -a blank, as does the next, whereat Tom's soul waxeth wroth, and for five -minutes the vengeance of the gods is called down on the "stinking -violets," and other articles which in his opinion militate against the -scent.</p> - -<p>The third essay seems likely for a long time to be as unproductive as -the two former, when suddenly a whimper from Ranter, backed up by -Harbinger, sends a thrill through the veins of the eager field.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span></p><p>Tom is all life in a moment, and his "'Ave at 'im. Eugh, 'ave at 'im! -Eugh, boys!" rings out clear and shrill.</p> - -<p>Not so shrill, though, as Charles's "Tally-ho! gone awa-a-y! awa-a-a-y!" -which comes pealing through the trees from the bottom end, while the -pack, catching it up, ring out a chorus that would waken the dead.</p> - -<p>"Hounds, please, hounds! Hold hard, gentlemen!" roars Sir John to some -of the too enthusiastic fire-eaters as they gallop down the squashy -ride, vainly endeavouring to get ahead of Tom, who, with white hair -flying in the breeze, is vigorously cheering his hounds on to the line, -occasionally giving them a chink of music to dance to.</p> - -<p>At last the wood is cleared, and the pack are streaming over the grass. -Nearly everybody has got a good start, and each man, knowing it is his -last day, rides his best.</p> - -<p>Mrs. Talford, as usual, is going along to the fore, second to none; and -Mr. Halston is determined that if the "fat bulls" do cross<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> the line, he -at all events will be well enough up to note the exact spot where the -catastrophe occurred.</p> - -<p>Falls are plentiful, for the pace is hot, and the weather being of the -same temperature, horses are soon, as Tom says, "all a muck o' sweat," -and find the fencing no light matter.</p> - -<p>However, "For'ard on" they race, and for five-and-thirty minutes without -a check, till they throw up suddenly by a thick ivy-grown hedge.</p> - -<p>"By Guy," says Tom, as he makes his cast and mops his face with a large -red silk bandana, "by Guy, it's warm, and no mistak'." Then after a bit, -as the hounds seem quite at sea: "Dashed if the varmint 'ain't melted."</p> - -<p>Not quite. He has only run the hedge right along the top of the ivy till -he came to the cross-fence, and then jumping down has set his head -straight for Woodborough; and Minstrel, casting on his own account, hits -off the spot where he landed on terra-firma, and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> in loud tones -proclaims it to the world in general and his companions in particular.</p> - -<p>At it again they are in a crack, and the welcome check having allowed a -chance of getting "second wind," the field are all well up and as merry -as crickets. Soon, however, the pace begins to tell, and the "tailing" -is terrible; as they go on each successive ditch holds a victim, and the -flyers of the hunt are all forced to take a pull.</p> - -<p>The best of the horses are beginning to sob, and old Tom has serious -misgivings about having to finish the run afoot. But it's a long lane -that has no turning, and two fields ahead the fox is seen crawling along -dead beat. The hounds run from scent to view, then comes a last final -rush.</p> - -<p>A confused mass, a worry, and then Tom's "Who-whoop! who-whoop!" is -heard a mile back, and tells those struggling in the wake that the -gallant pack have run into their fox, and that the Bullshire hounds -have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> finished their season with a rattling run ending in a kill.</p> - -<p>As the word "Home" is given by Sir John, and old Tom rides off amid the -congratulations of all who have managed to get to the end, he casts a -look of pride at his darlings clustered round him, and mutters: "Ay, bad -luck to it; it's 'Who-whoop' till next season."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE FIRST OF THE SEASON.</h2> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>Old friends are all meeting and gathered together</div> -<div>In batches, discussing the crops and the weather;</div> -<div>It has been a hard struggle for some with the rent,</div> -<div>But their troubles grow light as the talk turns on scent.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div>The landlord and tenant, the farmer and squire,</div> -<div>Have all had to suffer and pocket their ire,</div> -<div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>At the sun's fitful gleam and the rain's ceaseless pour;</div> -<div>But they meet in good fellowship round the inn-door.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div>Their thoughts are all bent upon horses and hounds,</div> -<div>For shortly the covert will echo with sounds,</div> -<div>As the eager pack top the wood-fence with a crash,</div> -<div>The young entry all bustle and brimful of dash.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div>Now see to your girths if you mean to be there.</div> -<div>Old Tom looks like business; his hand's in the air.</div> -<div>A whimper—a chorus—hark, holloa! they've found,</div> -<div>And his old mare pops over the rails with a bound.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>Away fling that weed, catch your horse by the head,</div> -<div>He's young, and he's hot, but he's clean thoroughbred;</div> -<div>Don't rush at the timber or else you'll be down.</div> -<div>Let him see what's before him—he'll jump o'er a town.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div>They are over the brook, which is bankful, I swear;</div> -<div>See, yonder they go with their sterns in the air.</div> -<div>There's young Flyaway in, and, by Jove, what a cropper!</div> -<div>Ah, the others won't have it—I thought 'twas a stopper.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div>Thank goodness, they're checked by that herd of Scotch kine.</div> -<div>But, hark for'ard, old Minstrel has hit off the line.</div> -<div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>There'll be "bellows to mend" if this goes on, I fear,</div> -<div>For the pace is too hot for the first of the year.</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div>Down the meadow—they view—see the hounds how they tear!</div> -<div>They have him! Who-whoop! And the field are all—where?</div> -<div>Here we come. Scarce a coat but betokens a fall,</div> -<div>But who-whoop! what a cracker to open the ball!</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p class="bold">MORAL.</p> - -<div class="center"><div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> -<div>Fox-hunting and fellowship go hand in hand,</div> -<div>And a true sporting mind by a friend's sure to stand;</div> -<div>So let each drain a bumper nor think it high treason</div> -<div>To follow The Queen with "The First of the Season."</div> -</div><div class="stanza"> -<div><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>The bond of good feeling is found in the field;</div> -<div>As the Squire meets the Farmer the compact is sealed.</div> -<div>And each vows, as the moments flit merrily by,</div> -<div>The world has no music like hounds in full cry.</div> -</div></div></div> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> - -<h2>UNCLE JOHN'S NEW HORSE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<p>A letter I found on my table, addressed to Edward Milford, Esq., Duke -Street, St. James's, which, being my name and address, I took the -liberty of opening, reminded me of the fact that I was engaged to my -uncle for the Christmas holidays.</p> - -<p>It ran as follows:</p> - -<blockquote><p class="right">"The Grange, Slopton.</p> - -<p>"<span class="smcap">My Boy</span>,</p> - -<p>"You are booked to us for Christmas, so don't fail. It is to be ten -days this time, and no telegram 'on important business' to call you -away, as, if I remember right, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> the case on your last visit. -There are many attractions here, or will be by the time you arrive. -First, myself; secondly, a new horse, which you will have the -pleasure of trying for me; and, thirdly, your cousin Grace. There -are a few pheasants, and, besides, some of the old port. You will -find a hearty welcome from your affectionate</p> - -<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Uncle John</span>."</p></blockquote> - -<p>Uncle John (whose surname was Dawson) was the sole surviving relation -from whom I had any expectations. He was my mother's brother, and on the -death of both my parents had been left my guardian. He had never -married; but about the same time that he undertook to train me in the -path in which I should go, he had adopted the orphan child of his -brother, and it was almost an understood thing that his property would, -at his demise, be equally divided between myself and Grace Dawson, the -lady referred to in his letter as cousin Grace.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p><p>A thorough sportsman of the old school, whose creed lay in horse, -hound, and hospitality, he made The Grange as pleasant a place to stop -at as one could well find. But there was (as there is in every -enjoyment) one drawback—to me at least—and that lay in the "new horse."</p> - -<p>My worthy uncle, excellent rider as he was, happened to be the worst -judge of a horse in the world, and was always picking up wonderful -bargains which, unfortunately, he insisted on my trying for him. How it -is that I have hitherto escaped with an unbroken neck I cannot say; for -there is scarcely any circus-rider in the United Kingdom who dare lay -claim to more double somersaults, and I might almost say that I am an -expert at flying in all its branches.</p> - -<p>However, nothing venture nothing have; and I was not going to quarrel -with Uncle John through any fear of Uncle John's new horse, besides the -attraction of cousin Grace. So I sent an answer accepting the -invitation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> and giving the train by which I should arrive.</p> - -<p>It was a cold cheerless afternoon when, having wrapped myself up in my -railway-rug, I selected a regalia reina and proceeded to settle myself -in the space allotted to me by a magnanimous railway company in a -smoking carriage attached to the 3.50 <span class="smaller">P.M.</span> to Slopton.</p> - -<p>There are three things that, when travelling, invariably strike me as -peculiar; and which I am forced to put down either to the perversity of -human nature or the desire not to give too much comfort for the money.</p> - -<p>First: Why is it that the examination of tickets never takes place until -nearly the last moment, when one is well wrapped up and settled—the -finding of the required piece of cardboard entailing an undoing of the -whole arrangement, a search through an infinity of pockets, a loss of -temper, a letting in of much cold air, and, to wind up, the almost -positive certainty that, having worked oneself into a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> fever because the -blessed article is not forthcoming, one suddenly remembers that, with a -chuckle at one's own 'cuteness and in order not to be disturbed, it had -been slipped into the band of one's hat, where it had been staring an -idiotic examiner in the face for fully five minutes, he pretending all -the while not to have seen it?</p> - -<p>Secondly: Why, just as you have recovered from the effects of the -official visit and have rearranged yourself with, perhaps, your feet on -the opposite cushion, if the door opens and another passenger gets in, -should he be certain to choose the very seat where you have deposited -your legs, notwithstanding that there may be three or four other vacant -places, and that by sitting opposite he inflicts the maximum of -discomfort on both?</p> - -<p>Thirdly: Why is it that the carriages are built with a projection, -whereupon you are supposed to recline your head if disposed to sleep, -but to effect which purpose you must perforce sit bolt upright, the said -projection<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> invariably being, for ordinary mortals, some four inches too -high?</p> - -<p>And why, if either you yourself or your next-door neighbour, neglect to -assume the rigid and perpendicular position necessary, but venture to -fall asleep in a more comfortable posture, should it be very long odds -that you find yourself reposing peacefully on his shirt-front, or -vice-versa?</p> - -<p>Before I had arrived at any solution of these phenomena, the train ran -into Crosby Junction, and, together with a foot-warmer—which, so far as -I could make out, was filled with cold water—there entered a portly -individual, whose vocation was plainly stamped on his garments—to wit, -a horse-dealer.</p> - -<p>After the lapse of a few minutes, during which time the portly one kept -the door open, he was joined by another member of the fraternity, who, -from the likeness between them, was evidently his son. After we had -started again, the father began the conversation by saying to his son: -"Jim, I wonder how the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span> old gent likes his horse," at which the youth -allowed a smile to steal over his face, and remarked sententiously: -"Lucky you got the money down, dad."</p> - -<p>Who, I wondered, was the old gent? Somebody else's "Uncle John" perhaps, -I thought, and began to reflect on the possibility of his having a -nephew to risk his neck over doubtful purchases. I felt a curiosity on -the subject, as I knew most of the inhabitants of the country we were -approaching, and made up my mind to try and find out.</p> - -<p>So turning to the elder I said: "I see, sir" (it is always "Sir" in a -first-class, "Mister" in a second, and "Mayster" in a third, I have -noticed), "that you know something about horses, and, being a stranger -in this country, I should be extremely glad if you could tell me where I -am likely to pick up a couple or three at a reasonable price. I have a -commission to buy three hunters for a friend in London, and am going -down to a place called The Grange, to look at one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> belonging to a -Mr.—Dawson I think is the name; but I should be glad to hear of two -others. By-the-way, do you know what sort of cattle Mr. Dawson keeps?"</p> - -<p>As I concluded my speech, which I thought decidedly artful, I saw father -and son exchange significant glances, and then my portly friend replied:</p> - -<p>"Well, sir, you've come to the right shop for what you want. I have -three of the very best you ever clapped your eyes on. If you will favour -me with a call to-morrow or the next day we might do business. Though I -must tell you that I am a one-price man, and keep none but the best. -Perhaps, sir, you would take my card," and he presented for my -inspection a highly-glazed piece of pasteboard, whereon was imprinted</p> - -<div class="box"> -<p>JOSIAH BELL & SON,</p> -<p class="right"><span class="smcap">Commission Stables</span>,<span class="s2"> </span><span class="s2"> </span><br /> -<i>102, Bridge Street,<span class="s2"> </span><br />Muxford</i>.</p> - -<p><i>Hacks, Hunters, Harness.</i></p></div> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span></p><p>When he saw that I had digested the contents and had transferred the -card to my pocket, he continued in a more confidential tone: "I'll give -you a little bit of advice, sir. Don't be too sweet on Mr. Dawson's -horse; I know he has one for sale which he bought up in town, a rare -good 'un to look at, but a regular beast. If he takes it into his head -he will do nothing but stand still and kick, and if he can't shift you -at that he'll lie down and roll. Poor old gentleman, he was awful took -in over it! He should have come to me. You can't mistake the 'oss, it's -a big upstanding bay with a white stocking on the near fore. But here's -Muxford, so I'll wish you good-day, and 'opes to see you to-morrow or -the next day. If I ain't at home my son here will show you the nags;" -and he got down.</p> - -<p>Just before the train moved on again, however, he came to the window and -said, "Don't you buy the bay 'oss on no account."</p> - -<p>It was not hard to put, in this instance, two and two together, and when -we arrived at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> Slopton I had quite made up my mind where the "new horse" -had been bought. On getting out of the train I was nearly deposited -under the wheels by a vigorous slap, administered in the centre of my -back, coupled with the remark: "Why, my lad, you look like a Polar bear -in that ulster. It isn't cold. How are you?"</p> - -<p>Having recovered my equilibrium, I turned round and encountered the -jovial face of Uncle John, whose nose, however, belied his speech anent -the weather, for it was glistening red, like the sun through a London -fog.</p> - -<p>"I'm all right, uncle," I replied; "I can see you are. How are they all -at The Grange?"</p> - -<p>"Fit as fiddles," responded my guardian. "Grace is outside in the -carriage, so get your traps together and let's be off. By-the-bye, I -have such a grand new horse for you to try. You shall ride him on -Tuesday, when the hounds meet at Abbot's Hill. A big upstanding bay; -such a beauty! Got him dirt cheap; but there, I'll tell you all about -him when we get home."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p><p>"Has he got a white stocking on the near fore?" I asked.</p> - -<p>"Yes; how the deuce did you know, I wonder?" queried my uncle. "But look -sharp with those things: you take as long collecting your traps as a fox -does to leave a big wood."</p> - -<p>"Alas, poor me!" I thought. "It is Mr. Bell's horse;" and I went out to -see cousin Grace with anything but a feeling of "pleasures to come." The -sight of her dear face and the warmth of her greeting, however, soon -made me forget all about the white stocking, and the journey home was -passed in questions asked and answers given. She told me that on the -morrow the remainder of the party were expected down, among them old -Lady Ventnor and her son Lord Ventnor, a young gentleman who gave -himself considerable airs on the strength of his title, and for whom I -had an intense dislike, owing perhaps in a great measure to an idea that -he had designs on Grace's affections, which, although I had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> never -hinted a word of love to her, caused me more uneasiness than I liked to -say.</p> - -<p>As a set-off against this (to me) obnoxious element, my old -school-fellow and almost brother, Jack Fisher, was already in the house, -together with his sister, who was A1 whether across country or in a -ball-room, and the life and soul of any house she might be staying in.</p> - -<p>Old "young ladies" no doubt used to shake their heads and say, in their -jealousy, that she was "so fast;" but a better girl, in every sense of -the word, than Lettie Fisher did not exist, despite her boisterous -spirits and reckless daring.</p> - -<p>Naturally when we arrived at The Grange Jack and I had lots to talk -over—old days, old sayings, and old friends; and in the smoking-room, -when Uncle John, seated in his favourite armchair, with a long -churchwarden, fast colouring from constant usage, in his hand, -endeavoured to inflict on us a detailed description of the big -upstanding<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> bay, we simply refused to listen to him, and I told him I -would prefer to form my judgment from actual experience.</p> - -<p>Next day the rest of the guests arrived, and I had the pleasure of -seeing young Ventnor doing his little best to ingratiate himself with my -cousin. I am afraid that my manner showed that something was wrong, for -after dinner in the drawing-room Grace, having for a moment freed -herself from his lordship's attentions, came across to where I was -sitting moodily contemplating the piano, and said:</p> - -<p>"What is the matter, Ned? You look as cross as two sticks. Everyone will -think you have committed a murder if you go on staring into vacancy. -Ventnor says you would make a beautiful Hamlet."</p> - -<p>"Very likely," I retorted. "I was just then thinking with the Prince of -Denmark that some of Nature's journeymen had made men, and not made them -well, they imitated humanity so abominably. Tell Ventnor I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span> am highly -flattered by his opinion of me as a representative of the Dane."</p> - -<p>Grace only raised her eyebrows and left me to my thoughts, which were -interrupted by the arrival of the butler, who informed Uncle John that -the stud-groom was waiting for orders about the morrow.</p> - -<p>My Uncle, who had gone to sleep over his paper and was still in the land -of dreams, astonished us all by saying: "No more, thanks; not a drop -more. Excellent claret, but no more, thank you."</p> - -<p>However, the roar of laughter thoroughly awoke him, and he proceeded to -tell us off to our respective mounts. Of course it fell to my lot to -ride the "new horse." Ventnor had brought his nags with him. Jack and -his sister were to ride The Drake and Topthorn, two of the best hunters -in the country, while Grace had her own mare Kitty, Uncle John reserving -to himself his favourite animal Corkscrew, so called from his ability to -bore through any bullfinch in the world.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p><p>Having arranged these matters, candles were lighted and we all -retired—the ladies to bed and the men to the land of tobacco and long -tumblers.</p> - -<p>"Are you nearly ready, Ned? It's a a lovely day," said Jack, as he -rushed into my room on the following morning to borrow a razor (Jack had -a way of borrowing razors, and a most inconvenient habit of forgetting -to return them). "Tell you what it is, if I were you I should take -plenty of sticking-plaster in my pocket, and, if you have any, a bandage -or two, for James (the footman) has been gratifying me with an account -of your mount for to-day. He says no one can ride the beast if it takes -it into its head to be obstinate, and that it has nearly reduced one of -the helpers to a wafer by going down with him at exercise and rolling -over with him."</p> - -<p>"Well," I replied, "you are a nice sort of Job's comforter. Here, drop -it," as Jack seized my razor. "Do, for goodness' sake, go and get one of -Ventnor's."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p><p>But he turned a deaf ear, and, making good his retreat, left me to -struggle into my boots, and reflect on the pleasures of the chase before -me.</p> - -<p>When I arrived downstairs I found everyone assembled at breakfast in -full hunting fig, and Uncle John sticking up for his new purchase, -utterly refusing to believe Jack's history of the brute's manners.</p> - -<p>"Ah Ned," said he, as I entered the room, "they are all trying to put me -out of conceit with my nag, but you will show them a different story; -even if he is a little awkward—which, mind you, boy, I don't -believe—he will find his master to-day, eh?"</p> - -<p>"Ladies and gentlemen," said the incorrigible Jack, rising, "I venture -to propose a toast, with which I am sure you will all agree—ahem! The -toast is that of my esteemed friend Mr. Edward Milford, who is about to -be created Master of the Rolls."</p> - -<p>Shouts of laughter greeted this sally from all except Grace, who -remarked: "I think it is<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> a great shame to chaff my cousin, and if there -is any accident you will all be sorry."</p> - -<p>I thanked the dear girl by a look, and turned my attention to -pigeon-pie, ignoring Ventnor's question as to "Whether I did not feel -too nervous to eat?"</p> - -<p>Ten o'clock saw us under weigh, and strangely enough the big upstanding -bay was on his best behaviour, and walked along by the side of Kitty -most sedately—a circumstance which Ventnor, who hoped to monopolise -Grace, did not seem particularly thankful for.</p> - -<p>Arriving at the meet in good time, I found myself in the midst of a host -of old friends, who admired my horse, and said he looked all over like -going. The first draw from Abbots Hill was a cover called "The Rough," -and it was noted for being a very nasty one to get a start from, as -there were only two ways to choose, either through a boggy hunting -gateway at the corner, which was always kept closed until the fox was -away, or over a rasping<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> great fence, with a ditch fully ten feet broad -on the far side, which was, to say the least of it, not an inviting -object to commence with.</p> - -<p>Knowing the topography of the land, I slipped down to the gate as the -hounds were thrown in, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing a fine -old fox steal away and make across the long grass-field on the other -side of "The Rough." Giving him a few moments to make good his -departure, I holloed, and down came the whole field pounding away for -the gate.</p> - -<p>Directly my uncle's steed heard them coming he began his tricks by -shooting up straight on end. A crack between the ears with my crop, and -a gentle reminder of both spurs as he came down fully roused his temper, -and, placing himself across the gateway, he started to kick in a way I -should never have believed possible. With his head (notwithstanding all -I could do) nearly touching the ground, he pirouetted round in a circle, -lashing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span> out viciously the whole time, and rendering it perfectly -impossible for anyone to pass.</p> - -<p>A few adventurous spirits charged the fence, but the majority of the -field were kept back, and seeing that hounds were running hard with a -burning scent, blessings (or the reverse) fell fast and thick on my -devoted head.</p> - -<p>At last, after I had thrashed him till my arm ached, and tried -everything I could think of to induce him to shift his ground, the brute -played his trump card, and down he went as if he had been shot, rolling -over into the ditch, where he lay, and sending me flying well into the -middle of the boggiest place, but fortunately clear of himself, so that -I escaped without personal injury.</p> - -<p>Covered with mud, and my hat squashed flat, I presented a pretty picture -as I picked myself up and scrambled out of the way to allow the more -fortunate sportsmen a means of egress, which they were not slow to take -advantage of.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span></p><p>Grace, riding through, pulled up on the other side, and asked me, with -some concern, if I was hurt.</p> - -<p>"Not a bit," I said; "go on, I am all right, only take care of -yourself."</p> - -<p>"Don't get on that brute's back again, dear boy," shouted Uncle John. -"It has frightened me out of my life. I thought you were going to be -killed."</p> - -<p>"Never mind me, Uncle, you will lose the hounds if you wait here; get -for'ard and see after Grace; I will get this beast home," I replied; -and, beckoning to two labourers who were standing gazing at the -prostrate form of the "upstanding" one, I sent for a cart-horse and -ropes, and we soon had him out of the ditch and standing, thoroughly -subdued, in the field.</p> - -<p>The saddletree I found smashed, and the stirrup-iron crumpled up, so -there was no use in trying to go on. The horse was not damaged, luckily, -with the exception of some hair off; but I had to lead the brute four -miles<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span> home, and had had quite enough of it by the time I reached The -Grange.</p> - -<p>"Good Lord, sir, you are in a mess!" remarked the stud-groom; "I was -afraid there would be summat happen. He is a nasty one; why, I rode him -myself the other mornin' into the village, and he played me the very -identical caper, just before you come to the bridge. He wouldn't pass -that there duck-pond by the pub., and when he went down, as near as a -toucher put me into the water. The lads do tell me as nothing will make -him go by there now. Ah, master should a listened to me, and not go -a-buying nags from a pair of copers like them Bells of Muxford."</p> - -<p>"Oh," I said, "he came from Bell's, did he? I thought so;" and I -recounted my conversation in the train.</p> - -<p>When the rest returned of course they had had a capital day, and I (as -is usual in these cases) had to stand the brunt of many condolences and -much sympathy with my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> bad luck. I bore it for some time, but a climax -came at dinner. Everybody, Uncle John included, had been vilifying the -new purchase, when young Ventnor broke in with affected drawl, saying: -"Ah, yes, but a fellah, you know, should not ride such a horse unless he -knows how to prevent him rolling. It ain't safe—ah—you know."</p> - -<p>Grace flew up in arms in a moment, and, with her eyes flashing with -anger, said: "I do not believe, Lord Ventnor, that you or any man could -have prevented the horse rolling. My cousin Ned can ride as well as most -men, and" (here came the unkindest cut of all) "anyhow I do not think -<i>he</i> would have turned away from Cleasby brook."</p> - -<p>Then, catching my eye, she stopped short, and blushing crimson betrayed -her secret, for I knew in that moment that she cared for me, and that I -had nothing to fear from fifty Ventnors.</p> - -<p>Uncle John, seeing how the land lay, said: "Well, Ventnor, if you are so -confident<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> that my nephew ought to have done better you shall have a -chance of showing him how, for you shall ride the horse to-morrow if you -like."</p> - -<p>Ventnor was about to reply, when Grace gave the signal for the ladies to -retire, and as soon as they had gone and we had drawn round the fire, -Jack turned to his lordship and spoke up as follows:</p> - -<p>"If you ride the bay to-morrow, I'll bet you ten sovereigns he puts you -down."</p> - -<p>"Oh yes, I'll—ah—ride him, and take your bet, Fisher," replied -Ventnor.</p> - -<p>"I'll do more than that," said I; "I'll lay you fifty pounds to thirty -that you do not ride from this door to the village and back in half an -hour; it's under a mile, so you have ample time."</p> - -<p>"Ah—done," quoth the young gentleman; and the bets were promptly -booked, the time being fixed for the start at 10 <span class="smaller">A.M.</span></p> - -<p>Next morning everybody, from my Uncle down to the boy who cleaned the -knives, turned out to see Lord Ventnor give me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span> a lesson in riding. -Jack, Lettie, and Grace I had let into the secret of the duck-pond, and -thither we repaired to see the fun. In a few moments along the road came -Ventnor with a sort of I-told-you-how-it-would-be smile on his face.</p> - -<p>A snort—a full stop—down went the bay's head, and up went his heels.</p> - -<p>"Mind he doesn't roll with you, or it will cost you forty pounds," -shouted Jack, and "Look out, man," as the animal's forelegs began to -tremble.</p> - -<p>Nearer and nearer the pond they got, when all of a sudden down dropped -the new horse, Ventnor jumping off as he fell; but unfortunately for -himself he caught his near spur in the saddle as the animal turned over, -and with an "Oh!" from the two girls, we saw him disappear head first -into the pond, while the "white stocking" made tracks homeward as hard -as he could go.</p> - -<p>"My dear sir," said Jack, as we pulled the dripping lord out of the -pond, "a fellah,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span> you know, should not ride unless he knows how to -prevent a horse rolling; it isn't safe, you know."</p> - -<p>This was too much for both Grace and Lettie, and they were forced to -retire in order to hide their laughter. Ventnor was so angry that he -would not speak, and he paid us our money with a very bad grace the same -evening. However, it taught him a lesson that it will take him years to -forget.</p> - -<p>I told Uncle John after this of my meeting in the train with the Messrs. -Bell, and he decided at once to send the brute up to Aldridge's, where -the fine upstanding bay fetched exactly twenty-five guineas, and was -dear at that.</p> - -<p>On Christmas Eve I ventured to ask Grace for a Christmas present, to -wit, herself, and as Jack, who was my best man, said at the wedding -breakfast: "Though the mount was not a pleasant one, still as it was -instrumental in obtaining for me my wife, I had no right to be too hard -on Uncle John's New Horse."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p> - -<h2>THE HOG-BACKED STILE.</h2> - -<hr class="smler" /> - -<h3>CHAPTER I.</h3> - -<p class="bold smaller">COMING EVENTS.</p> - -<p>Towards the middle of December, 1878, a dog-cart might have been seen -standing outside the small station of Newcome, in Slopshire. There was -nothing particularly remarkable about the turn-out—a goodish-looking -animal in the shafts and a certain air of neatness stamped it as -belonging to a gentleman, but beyond that there was no particular -feature to attract attention. No gaudy red wheels, nothing dazzling in -the way of "picking out;" simply an ordinary<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> dog-cart, which had come -down from Belton Hall to meet the 5.35 train from London.</p> - -<p>Belton Hall, an old Elizabethan mansion, belonged to the Vivians, was -inhabited by Colonel George Vivian and his daughter Mildred, and they -were expecting two visitors, who had been asked to the Hall for -Christmas and hunting—one, Jack Vivian, the Colonel's nephew; the -other, a Mr. Thomas Simpson, who was known to the world in general to be -following that calling which covers a multitude of sins, which means so -much yet expresses so little, viz. "something in the City."</p> - -<p>Colonel Vivian was as keen a sportsman and as good a man to hounds as -there was in Slopshire, and his daughter followed closely in his -footsteps—too closely sometimes, for on one occasion, when the Colonel -came down at a stiffish stake-and-bound fence, Mildred, unable to stop -in time, jumped right on the top of him, her horse's near hind-foot -going slap through the crown of his new hat, which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span> luckily did not at -the moment contain her father's head.</p> - -<p>Belton was therefore a certain find, and the Master, knowing this, -always had a fixture there in the Christmas week.</p> - -<p>Both Mildred and her father were too apt to gauge a man by his powers of -getting over a country, and woe betide any unfortunate individual who -had been seen to exhibit any—well, I will say hesitation—when hounds -were running. If he happened to be staying at the Hall, he was chaffed -most unmercifully, and under any other circumstances he was immediately -set down in the mental tablets of the Vivians as a man who was not worth -knowing.</p> - -<p>There was but little fear of Jack not coming up to the mark in the way -of riding, for, born and brought up in the country, his first -recollections were associated with hounds, and his earliest lessons -comprised "the run of a fox." Of late years he had not been able to hunt -as much as he would have liked,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> for there were two fatal objections in -his way—want of time and want of money.</p> - -<p>Jack Vivian was a barrister, and a hard-working one withal. He had got -his foot on the second rung of the ladder of success and meant going -upwards; therefore he had little time for play, and but a small balance -of spare cash; so it was only now and again that he could snatch a brief -holiday, and, finding neck and spurs against a friend's horse, engage in -his favourite pursuit. Notwithstanding this, there were few men who -would care to back themselves against Jack across country, and there was -probably not one (old Jim the Huntsman excepted) who knew more about a -fox or what hounds were doing.</p> - -<p>Mr. Simpson, on the other hand, was rolling in wealth, and as his -"something in the City" did not occupy much of his time, he tried in -every way to assume the appearance of a country gentleman, and to be -considered a modern Nimrod.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p><p>Somehow, though, his three hundred-guinea hunters did not carry Mr. -Simpson to the end, and it was marvellous the extraordinary and -unforeseen obstacles that had prevented his appearance at the death.</p> - -<p>Rivers suddenly had sprung up where none had been known before, and -six-foot posts and rails, with broad double ditches, had caused Mr. -Simpson alone to tarry on his course. In other words he was an arrant -"funk," though of course he would not have acknowledged the soft -impeachment.</p> - -<p>It was, as you may think, very odd that such a man should be the guest -of so ardent a sportsman as the owner of Belton, but it happened thus. -The previous year the Colonel and his daughter were staying in -Leicestershire, and at a friend's house they met Mr. Simpson. So taken -up with admiring his horses was the Colonel that he either omitted to -look at the owner, or else invested him with a halo which was the -overflow of the equine worship.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span></p><p>Besides, open house, hunters five days a week for himself and daughter, -and a large establishment, were not to be maintained for nothing; and -the Colonel, in the matter of £ s. d., was a remarkably practical man, -and had no objection to the possibility of a rich son-in-law, even -though he might be "in the City."</p> - -<p>Therefore, for Christmas week, Simpson and his horses were offered bed -and board at Belton; and already, in his own mind, had Mr. S. drawn up a -deed of partnership, with Miss Vivian as the Co., for he had been -completely knocked out of time at the first sight of Mildred, and had -fallen head over ears in—what he was pleased to call—love. What his -chances of success were may be gathered from the following conversation, -which took place in the drawing-room after the dog-cart had gone down to -the station.</p> - -<p>Mildred—it was a non-hunting day—was seated in a low easy-chair, -occupied with five-o'clock tea, and by her side, on a cushion,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> reclined -her cousin Ethel, a young girl of sixteen, while opposite was the Rev. -Mr. Wilton, the clergyman of the place—one of the old school of -sporting parsons, who was good for a fast twenty minutes either in the -field or the pulpit; and though he had, for fifty odd years, hunted -regularly four days a-week, there was not a man, woman, or child in the -parish whose every trouble was not known to him, and there was not one -of them who would not willingly have given up everything to help their -idol, "t' owd parson."</p> - -<p>With his back to the fire stood the Colonel, engaged in conversation -with Florence Wingfield, sister to the expected Jack. She was staying in -the house with her husband, Captain Tom Wingfield, of the 23rd Hussars, -who at this moment was trying a new purchase by riding over to the -kennels, some ten miles away.</p> - -<p>"Which room has Mr. Simpson got, Milly?" said the Colonel suddenly.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p><p>"The best bachelor's room, papa," replied the young lady; "I put him -there because I thought the gorgeous pattern of the new carpet you chose -would suit his taste, and I have hung up some of those old sporting -prints for him to take a lesson from."</p> - -<p>"And what room has Jack got?" continued the Colonel, not best pleased at -the impression his intended guest had produced on his daughter.</p> - -<p>"Oh, dear old Jack has, of course, his own room. Florence arranged it -just as it used to be, and before tea came I saw the fire was all -right."</p> - -<p>"I suppose you did not happen to see if Mr. Simpson's fire was all -right, Mildred?" said Mr. Wilton, with a sly twinkle in his eye.</p> - -<p>"No; Ethel did that," she replied, laughing; "besides, with that red -face he can't be cold."</p> - -<p>"Milly, never judge by appearances,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> interrupted Mrs. Wingfield, who -saw by her uncle's face that the conversation was not particularly -agreeable to him. Woman-like, she had read him like a book; and, though -willing to keep the peace, she had long ago made up her mind that -Mildred was to be her brother's wife or an old maid—<i>aut Cæsar aut -nihil</i>; and having settled this, she set herself down to carry out her -plans.</p> - -<p>"Who is talking about judging by appearances?" put in a manly voice, as -Tom Wingfield, somewhat muddy of coat, walked into the room.</p> - -<p>"I was," said his wife. "I was telling Milly not to judge by -appearances, for I thought you a nice fellow once, and—ahem!—I was -taken in by your appearance."</p> - -<p>"All right, Mrs. Impudence," retorted Tom; "no hunting for you. I -thought I had two beautiful ladies' hunters, but I was deceived by -appearances. Anyhow, let me have a cup of tea. I have given my new nag a -lesson he won't forget. He refused<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span> that fence out of the road by the -windmill, and put me down twice; then tried to bolt for Paradise Hill, -but after a fight we got on terms, and he goes like an angel now."</p> - -<p>"I must make a note of that, Wingfield," interrupted Mr. Wilton. "It is -a curious coincidence of an animal being stopped on its way to Paradise, -yet suddenly becoming an angel."</p> - -<p>"Capital text for next Sunday, Wilton," said the Colonel. "But hark! I -hear the dog-cart, and here they come round the corner of the drive."</p> - -<p>"Oh Lord!" ejaculates Tom; "can anyone tell me how gray shirtings are? -Must talk to a man who is in the City about shirtings or backwardations, -you know. I'll ask Jack what he gave for his flannel shirts."</p> - -<p>Amid the shouts of laughter which followed this sally the door opened, -and the butler announced: "Mr. Simpson and Master Jack."</p> - -<hr /> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span></p> - -<h3>CHAPTER II.</h3> - -<p class="bold smaller">OF THE CITY CIVIC.</p> - -<p>"Delighted to see you, Mr. Simpson," said the Colonel, taking that -gentleman's somewhat flabby hand, and introducing him to the others in -turn. "Ah Jack, my boy, how are you? I have such a horse for you; but no -spurs allowed, mind."</p> - -<p>"All right, uncle," replied Jack, coming to the fire; "I'll remember. -But how are you all? Florence, you are getting most abominably fat. Why, -Milly, ain't you going to say How do you do to me?—not that way," as -Mildred put out her hand. "I ask you, is that the way to welcome your -long-lost cousin? Come to my arms"—a proceeding that he promptly tried -to put into force, and had he not stumbled head over heels over Ethel, -who from her position on the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span> ground he had not noticed, would have -succeeded in his endeavour.</p> - -<p>As it was, like a drowning man, he clutched at the first thing that came -to hand, which, happening to be Simpson's coat-tail, brought that worthy -gentleman down with him, and cut short the polite little speech he was -about to address to Mildred.</p> - -<p>It was rather hard lines on the unfortunate individual, for all the way -down in the train he had been (when Jack's eye was not upon him) -rehearsing it, and now it was lost for ever.</p> - -<p>"I beg your ten thousand pardons, Simpson," said Jack, struggling to his -feet. "Why, it's Ethel. What on earth do you go and curl yourself up -like a fox-terrier on the hearthrug for, and make people do these -pantomime tricks over you? You nearly were the death of two of Her -Majesty's most esteemed subjects."</p> - -<p>"Heavy fall in shirtings," whispered the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> irrepressible Tom to Mildred, -who was obliged to go out of the room, ostensibly to see the -housekeeper, but in reality to hide her laughter.</p> - -<p>"Not hurt, I hope?" asked the Colonel.</p> - -<p>"No—ah—Colonel Vivian, I thank you; but I must apologise to Miss -Vivian. It must have astonished her. Ah, she is gone," said Simpson, who -was, if possible, of a more rosy hue than ever.</p> - -<p>"Oh, Mildred's all right," put in Jack; "it's not the first time she has -seen a man down by many a hundred, nor will it be the last if hounds run -to-morrow. Which is my room, uncle? I'll show Simpson his too. It's -nearly time to dress."</p> - -<p>"You are in your old quarters, Jack, and Mr. Simpson is in the -bachelor's room, which, I hope, he will find comfortable," said his -uncle.</p> - -<p>"Come on then, Simpson; I'll take you to your diggings, and then I'll go -and see Phillips the stud-groom, and tell him to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> show your man where to -put himself and his horses too," continued Jack, and out they went.</p> - -<p>"What a ridiculous <i>contretemps</i>!" said Florence as the door closed. "I -never saw anything half so funny as Mr. Simpson's face. My dear Ethel, I -thought I should have died."</p> - -<p>"I thought I should have been smothered," replied Ethel. "I shall never -be able to look Mr. Simpson in the face again."</p> - -<p>Mr. Wilton, who had hitherto been a silent spectator, here interrupted -with "I am afraid the gentleman is not in the same happy state as -Wingfield's horse, for I distinctly heard him as he fell utter a most -unangelic word beginning with a D."</p> - -<p>"A falling angel can't be particular," said Tom. "What do you say, -Colonel?"</p> - -<p>"I say that it's very wrong of you to make fun of our guest, and that if -you don't go to dress at once you will be all late for dinner;" with -which the master of the house walked out of the room followed by the -rest.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p><p>At seven o'clock the whole party were reassembled in the drawing-room. -Mr. Simpson, in all the consciousness of a spotless shirt in which -blazed an elaborate diamond stud the size of a sixpenny piece, was -trying to make himself agreeable to Mildred, while Jack was in a deep -discussion with Tom and his uncle over the prospects of the season, and -listening to the accounts of past performances. "Dinner is served" from -the butler took them all into the dining-room, where they were soon hard -at what Tom called "trencher-work."</p> - -<p>"What horses have you brought, Mr. Simpson?" said the Colonel during the -pause after the soup.</p> - -<p>"Ah—two, Colonel Vivian. A bay mare I had last season, and a new horse -I bought from Ward the other day; a splendid fencer—nothing is too big -for him. Ah—I had to give four hundred for him though, so he ought to -be good," replied Simpson.</p> - -<p>"He ought indeed. I wish I could afford<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> to give such prices," rejoined -the Colonel, on whose ear the statement of £ s. d. grated somewhat -harshly. "I advise you to ride him to-morrow; the hounds meet here, and -the keeper tells me there are a brace of foxes in the osiers, and if -they take the usual line it wants a good horse to live with them."</p> - -<p>Mr. Simpson's face did not express a vast amount of rapture at this, and -he almost wished he had not been quite so fulsome on the subject of his -new purchase. However, turning to Mildred, he said: "Miss Vivian—ah—I -suppose you follow the hounds to-morrow?"</p> - -<p>"Yes," replies Mildred; "I ride my favourite horse Birdcatcher, and I -hope we shall show you some sport."</p> - -<p>"Follow the hounds!" muttered Jack under his breath, who was getting -rather jealous of his fellow-traveller. "He did not suppose the hounds -would follow her, did he?" an idea that he imparted to Ethel, who was -next to him, and which seemed to amuse her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> mightily. "I believe the -fellow's a funk," he went on. "Anyhow, I'll draw him," and across the -table he said: "Simpson, is your nag good at water and timber, for the -Belton brook runs below the osiers, and there are one or two rather -awkward stiles to be negotiated?"</p> - -<p>"Oh yes. Ah—he is a first-rate water-jumper, and, I believe, very good -all round."</p> - -<p>"That's all right then; you will be cutting us all down," put in Tom; -whereat Simpson smiled a sickly and most unbecoming smile, by which he -meant to insinuate that he was going to try, and thought it extremely -probable that he would succeed, but which conveyed to everybody the -impression that he wished Belton brook and the stiles at the bottom of -the sea.</p> - -<p>Florence, who saw this, immediately proceeded to set his mind at rest by -telling a number of stories anent the difficulties of the country, and -the number of men that had come out in the morning in all the pride of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span> -their scarlet, and had returned bemudded and besmirched after a visit to -the bottom of the brook, all of which anecdotes she referred to Mr. -Wilton for verification.</p> - -<p>After dinner Mr. Simpson made the running very strongly with Mildred, -much to Jack's disgust; and as he found that, do what he would, he was -unable to get a word in edgeways without having his eyes nearly put out -by the glitter of the City gentleman's diamond stud, he took refuge -behind the paper, which position, notwithstanding Mildred's glance of -entreaty, he maintained resolutely till the appearance of candles and -the Colonel's orders for the morning warned everybody that it was -bedtime.</p> - -<p>"Good-night, Jack, my boy," said his uncle, after the ladies had -retired. "I shan't come to the smoking-room to-night. Mind, breakfast at -nine sharp. I have ordered a real flyer for you to-morrow, and I want -you to keep up your reputation and show them the way, also to give an -eye to Milly. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> can trust her with most horses, but Birdcatcher is, as -you know, an awkward customer if he gets his temper up. Mr. Simpson," -turning to his guest, "you will find everything in the smoking-room. -Jack and Tom will show you where it is. I am rather tired, and will wish -you good-night and good sport to-morrow."</p> - -<p>"Tom," said Jack to his brother-in-law, "you take Simpson to the den. -I'm off to bed; you will excuse my not coming. I've a bad headache, and -I want to look over a case I have in hand which is rather important. -Good-night, old man; good-night, Simpson;" and with that he retired, -muttering to himself: "How the deuce Uncle George could have invited -such a cad down here I can't think."</p> - -<p>On arriving in his room he found his sister waiting for him, and she -immediately commenced: "Dear old Jack, I knew you would not smoke -to-night, for I saw you were put out. You need not be afraid about Milly -and Mr. Simpson; she detests him. If Uncle<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span> George thinks she will ever -marry a man like that he is mistaken."</p> - -<p>"What's the odds, Florence," said Jack in a desponding tone; "it is no -use denying the fact that I am awfully fond of Milly, but what chance -have I, as poor as a church mouse, against a man rolling in wealth? And -even if she doesn't marry Simpson, some other rich son of a gun will be -after her, and it will break my heart to see her married. By-the-way, -how can uncle ever tolerate such a vulgarian as Simpson?"</p> - -<p>"'Money makes the mare to go,'" replied his sister; "and I fancy Uncle -George has been spending a little too much lately. But cheer up, Jack -dear; perhaps our old Indian will die, and leave you a heap of money. -Meanwhile, rely on me to keep off all intruders: 'Trespassers will be -prosecuted,' and all that sort of thing; spring-guns and the extreme -penalty of the law, you know."</p> - -<p>"Florence, you are a darling," said Jack, kissing her; "but you can't -kill the Nabob,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> and even a woman's wit can't keep Milly under lock and -key till your pauper brother makes enough money to enable him to see -papa in the study without feeling that he may be shown out of the door -by the butler."</p> - -<p>"<i>Si c'est possible c'est fait, si c'est impossible cela ce fera</i>," -laughed Florence, as she left her brother to think over what she had -said.</p> - -<p>The old Indian, Sandford by name, was the great hope of both Jack and -his sister. He was their mother's only brother, and though he had been -home but once in forty years, an event which occurred some nine years -back, he had on that occasion intimated that Jack was to be his heir, -and when driven to India by what he called "the cursed climate and -infernal fogs" of his native country, he had left a thousand pounds to -be used for Jack's advancement in life, and regularly every Christmas a -letter arrived from Simla to Jack, enclosing an order on Messrs. -Drummond for two hundred pounds, bearing the simple signature "John Sandford."</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p><p>When his sister had gone Jack threw himself into a chair, and after -musing for some time tumbled into bed, and was soon dreaming of Milly, -the Nabob, and Simpson, all of whom were trying to catch an animal that -occasionally took the shape of Birdcatcher, and as often that of his sister.</p> - -<hr /> - -<h3>CHAPTER III.</h3> - -<p class="bold smaller">FLOOD AND FIELD.</p> - -<p>"A southerly wind and a cloudy sky," sung loudly by his bedside, woke -Jack on the following morning, and, opening his eyes, he encountered -those of Tom Wingfield, who, as soon as he saw that he had effected his -purpose—to wit, waking Jack—said: "How's the head, old man? It's a -ripping fine morning; tumble up. Here's the shaving-water," as the -footman entered the room. "I've called Simpson. By Jove, what a bore<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> -that man is! he told me last night exactly how much he had given for -everything he possessed. However, Phillips, whom I saw just now, says -his four hundred guineas worth looks a nailer, but I doubt if our -friend's heart is in the right place."</p> - -<p>"Heart be blowed!" growled Jack; "the only heart he knows of is the -heart of the City. Clear out, Tom, though; its late, and I shall never -be dressed in time for breakfast."</p> - -<p>However, he was, and as he entered the dining-room he thought he had -never seen Milly look so well as, in her well-fitting and workmanlike -habit, she dispensed the honours of the tea.</p> - -<p>Simpson was simply gorgeous, and evidently fancied himself considerably, -though as the clock marked the hour of ten and the first contingent -arrived, his rubicund features went many degrees paler at the thought of -Belton brook and his four-hundred-guinea hunter.</p> - -<p>Punctual to the minute the hounds arrived,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> and after a quarter of an -hour, during which time refreshment for man and horse was in full swing, -the signal to move off was given.</p> - -<p>"Mornin', Master Jack," said old Jim the Huntsman, as Jack came out of -the stable-yard, his mount bucking like an Australian. "I'm main glad to -see you wi' us again; we shall soon find summat to take the play out o' -you" (alluding to the horse). "If I mistake not, you mean a-showing 'em -what for, and I'm sure I hope you will."</p> - -<p>"Jim, you get younger every day. They tell me you are going to be -married again and give up hunting; is it true?" was Jack's reply.</p> - -<p>"Get along with you; you're no better than you used to be, Master Jack," -retorted the old man, who was fast nearing his seventieth year.</p> - -<p>At this moment the Colonel rode up, accompanied by Mildred and Mr. -Simpson, the latter, it must be confessed, looking far from comfortable. -"Jim," said he, "we will draw<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> the osiers first, please, up-wind, and -send Williams" (the First Whip) "down to the corner. Mr. Wilton and -myself will stop by the gate and view him if he tries back. Mr. Talbot" -(the Master) "has gone on to the wood, and wished me to tell you."</p> - -<p>"Right, Colonel," replied the Huntsman, lifting his cap; and with a -"Coop, coome away!" he trotted off down to the bottom end, the hounds -clustering all round his horse.</p> - -<p>"This way, Milly," said Jack. "Come on, Simpson and Tom," and the -quartet established themselves out of sight at the top end of the -osier-bed. Presently old Jim was heard cheering his hounds, and a -whimper from old Solomon proclaimed the fox to be at home, as usual.</p> - -<p>"Eugh, at him!" cheered Jim, and as the whimper swelled into a chorus a -regular traveller slipped out close to Mr. Simpson, and headed straight -over the dreaded brook.</p> - -<p>"By gad, he's off!" said Jack, and "Gorne awa-a-y!" proclaimed his -departure to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> expectant field. The hounds tumbled out of covert all -of a heap, and plunging into the brook in a body were away on the other -side in a trice, with a scent breast high.</p> - -<p>"Miss Vivian, for goodness' sake don't attempt the brook," implored -Simpson; "I will stop and look after you."</p> - -<p>But Mildred, vouchsafing him not so much as a look, caught the impatient -Birdcatcher by the head, and with Jack and Tom on either side the trio -rattled down at the water, which was negotiated with safety.</p> - -<p>"Bravo!" said Jack; "here comes Simpson;" and come he did, for his -perfect hunter was not made of the stuff to be left behind if he could -help it, and seeing his three companions careering away down the -opposite field, he, to use a nautical expression, "took charge," and, -before his rider knew what had happened, had landed him safely on the -other side of the obstacle.</p> - -<p>"Down the lane," said Jack to Mildred as they popped over the fence that -led out of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span> meadow; "it's straight for Boltby big wood. Here you -are, Jim," as the Huntsman came up to where the hounds had checked for a -moment in the lane; "they made it good as far as this. Hark for'ard! -Minstrel has it;" and away they went a cracker, turning sharp to the -right into some rolling grass-fields.</p> - -<p>By this time Mr. Simpson was beginning to pluck up his courage, and in -company with those who had not been so favoured at the start was going -fairly well. Ten minutes more brought them to the stiles that had been -the subject of discussion at dinner the previous evening, and -nasty-looking objects they were. The first was not so bad, but the -second was a regular teaser—hog-backed, with a yawning ditch, spanned -by a footboard on the far side.</p> - -<p>"Steady, Milly," said Tom, as Birdcatcher rushed at No. 1.</p> - -<p>"By gad, she'll be down if she goes at that pace," shouted Jack in an -agony, his horse, a young 'un, having refused.</p> - -<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p><p>At this crisis Mr. Simpson appeared on the scene, the rest of the field -preferring the safer course down the lane. Tom managed the hog-back -successfully, and was too much occupied with the hounds, now racing a -field ahead, to think of Mildred, who had evidently got as much as she -could manage in the thoroughly-roused Birdcatcher.</p> - -<p>Jack's feelings can be better imagined than described as he saw Milly -rush at the stile and Birdcatcher turn a complete somersault, sending -his mistress flying, happily, some yards away from where he fell.</p> - -<p>"Come up, you brute," he yelled, driving his spurs home and fairly -lifting the astonished young 'un over both fences. Scarcely had he -landed over the hog-back than he was off his horse and kneeling by Milly -in a paroxysm of grief.</p> - -<p>"My darling child, are you hurt? My God, she's dead!" he cried, as he -tried to lift her.</p> - -<p>But she was only stunned for the moment,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> and to his ineffable joy Milly -opened her eyes and said: "It's all right, Jack; I'm not hurt. Catch my -horse and let's get on."</p> - -<p>The "Thank God" came from the bottom of his heart as he caught the two -nags and lifted her on; but the agonised expression on his face told -Mildred plainer than any words the "old old tale," and in her inmost -heart she blessed the fall for the revelation.</p> - -<p>The fox meanwhile, who had been headed by a labourer, turned short back, -and as they came round, about two fields above the spot where the -accident took place, everyone was much amused at the sight of Mr. -Simpson, who, unable to muster up courage to ride at the place, and -thinking that no one was likely to see him, had got off his horse, and -having promised a yokel a sovereign to catch him on the other side, was -doing his best, with the aid of his hunting-whip, to induce his four -hundred guineas' worth to take it by himself. No further mishap -occurred, and in half an hour, after running hard all the time, they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> -viewed and killed their fox in the open, Mr. Simpson arriving just as -the last morsel disappeared down old Solomon's throat.</p> - -<p>By this time Mildred was feeling the effects of her fall, and Simpson -was only too glad to offer to be her escort home; an opportunity which -he took advantage of to propose in due form, the effect of his -solicitations being somewhat marred by the aversion his horse displayed -to walking.</p> - -<p>"I'm very sorry, Mr. Simpson," said Mildred, in reply to his entreaties -that she would consent to be the "Co.," "I'm very sorry, but it can -never be."</p> - -<p>"There's some other fellow in the case; I <i>will</i> know who. It's that -horrid cousin of yours," said the man of money with his innate -vulgarity, for he could not understand any girl refusing his gold.</p> - -<p>"Mr. Simpson, you have no right to speak to me like that; and seeing -that my cousin picked me up when I fell, while you were too much alarmed -for your own safety, <i>I</i> have no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> reason to consider him horrid," was -Mildred's cutting reply, after which she refused to speak till they -arrived at the Hall.</p> - -<p>Whether it was the rebuff that he had received, or joy at finding -himself safe, I cannot say, but at dinner Simpson drank more than was -his custom, and was proportionately talkative and bombastic in -consequence, and towards the end he entertained the company with a -description of how he got over the most enormous places.</p> - -<p>"You—ah—see, my horse" (he called it "'orse"' now that the wine was -in) "refused that stile where Miss Vivian fell, and Mr. Ward told me it -was no use riding him at the same thing twice, so I had to look -out—ah—for another place. I saw there was nothing for it but the fence -at the side" (it was an overgrown blackthorn, with a six-feet post and -rails run through the middle), "and—ah—by Jove! my horse cleared it -without touching a twig—ah."</p> - -<p>"My word, Simpson, that was a jump<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span>—almost as big as the cow took when -it vaulted over the moon," said Tom.</p> - -<p>"Fact, sir, 'shure you," replied he of the City, when the butler came up -behind his chair and in an audible voice said: "I beg pardon, sir, but -there's a man downstairs who says you told him to call—says you -promised him a sovereign for catching your horse when you turned it over -the stile."</p> - -<p>It may have been rude, but the guilty look of Simpson and the utter -ludicrousness of the whole affair was too much, and everybody, including -the Colonel, fairly shrieked with laughter, during which Mr. Simpson -bowed himself out to see about this "tale of the sovereign," as he -called it.</p> - -<p>Later on the butler appeared a second time, bearing in his hand a yellow -envelope, which he handed to Jack.</p> - -<p>Opening it carelessly he read: "As agents to John Sandford, acquaint you -of his death. Yourself left sole heir. Telegraph instructions. Money and -securities, eighty thousand. Three<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span> large tea estates, besides other -property. Letter follows.—Kirkman and Co., Calcutta."</p> - -<p>I am afraid Jack's face did not express great sorrow for his deceased -uncle. Indeed, as he glanced across at Milly, a great look of joy came -into his eyes, and after dinner he found an opportunity to ask her a -question, receiving a very different answer to that vouchsafed to Mr. -Simpson.</p> - -<p>Christmas morning he interviewed "papa in the study" without fear of the -butler, and that evening the Colonel, with tears in his eyes, made a -long speech, wherein he gave his daughter to his favourite nephew, with -solemn injunctions to take care of her.</p> - -<p>Jack, in returning thanks, said he would do his best to see that she did -not break her neck; he had already had a turn he should never forget; -but as it was somewhat instrumental in helping him to gain Milly, he -begged to propose the health of The Hog-backed Stile.</p> - -<p>Simpson, when he saw the game was lost,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> turned out a much better fellow -than anyone gave him credit for, and Milly found on her table a pearl -necklace and a card, on which was written: "With T. Simpson's best -wishes and apologies for rudeness."</p> - -<p>Now, whenever he meets Jack and his wife, he tells them that the lesson -he got at Belton taught him that money and bluster were not everything -in this merry world of ours.</p> - -<p class="center space-above">THE END.</p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="center">CHARLES DICKENS AND EVANS, CRYSTAL PALACE PRESS.</p> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Men We Meet in the Field, by A. G. 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