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 TALES FOE SPOETSMEN. 
 
 Webster Family Library of Veterinary IVIedidne 
 
 Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at 
 
 Tufts University 
 
 200 Westix)ro Road 
 
 North Grafton, MA 01536 
 
■ ■■//C ^A 
 
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 J 
 
 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN 
 
 By dragon. 
 
 ^aX-LyK^ 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY G. BOWERS. 
 
 LONDON : 
 SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, & CO. 
 
 1885. 
 
BiCHARD CLAT A>r> yONS, 
 
 BRE^S STEEET HILL, LONDON, E.C. 
 
 and Bungay, SMfoIt. 
 
to all true sportsmen of great britain 
 
 to whom the 
 
 author's grateful thaxks are due 
 
 for many pleasant dats spent in their company, 
 
 and his sentiments 
 
 may be best expressed by wishing them 
 
 in the words of the old toast 
 "LUCK AND AN OPEN SEASON." 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 This little collection of tales for sportsmen hardly requires 
 a preface, most of them having already appeared between 
 Baily's green covers and in various weekly sporting papers, 
 but a preface is usually expected, and especially from 
 unknown authors who generally seize the opportunity to 
 disarm, or try at least to disarm, stern or venomous critics 
 by explaining their modest ambition in venturing to publish 
 a book. 
 
 It has been an amusement to write these tales, and now 
 that they are brought together with the addition of ihus- 
 trations by an artist whose well-known pencil needs no 
 comment, if the sportsmen of Great Britain will accept 
 them a gratified author will be almost satisfied. To be 
 thoroughly satisfied depends on the sale, but one word 
 is necessary in offering these stories to the public. 
 
viii PREFACE. 
 
 These tales are mostly composed of facts supplemented 
 by fiction, while some may be fiction founded on facts, and 
 the true art of an author is the Wending of fact and fiction, 
 so that no one shall know where facts end and fiction begins; 
 therefore if, in the desire to please all parties, an author 
 now and then exceeds the bounds of moderation either 
 Avay stern critics should be lenient. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 THE RULING PASSION 3 
 
 THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL 31 
 
 SHALL I ? 51 
 
 THE BITER BIT 67 
 
 WITH ROYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879 75 
 
 NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 1 91 
 
 NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. II 99 
 
 BRICKET WOOD HI 
 
 RUN OF THE (fESTIVE) SEASON, CHRISTMAS, 1878 129 
 
 HUNT SUBSCRIPTIONS 137 
 
 A LEGITIMATE SWINDLE 145 
 
 DRAG HUNTING 153 
 
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 ■' WELL DOXE YOU ! " 
 
 WHO- WHOOP ! TEAR IT UP 
 
 "you are is trouble, little lady?" 
 
 MISSIS ! DOCTOR 
 
 .IKE A SHOT RABBIT 
 
 MARCHED HIM OFF IN TRIUMPH 
 
 AWKWARD WORK 
 
 OPERATING WITH A BESOM 
 
 hint for road surveyors . . 
 "dear old bricket" . . . . 
 no whip, no voice, no horn i 
 
 Frontispiece. 
 Tn face page 24 
 
 FORTY MILES AN HOUR 
 
 58 
 , 63 
 , 70 
 
 83 
 , 98 
 , 104 
 122 
 , 133 
 , 149 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 
 
TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 THE RULING PASSION. 
 
 keener sportsman 
 ever rode a horse 
 or cheered a 
 hound than John 
 Hardacre, Master 
 of the Ravens- 
 dale Harriers. 
 With him hunt- 
 ing was the ruling 
 passion before 
 which everything 
 else must give 
 way. His father 
 had been Master 
 for years, so John had been early entered, and report says 
 his first days with hounds were enjoyed when two years old, 
 strapped in a basket on an old pony led by the feeder. 
 The little chap would clap his hands and crow with dehght, 
 seeming to know all about it when hounds found and went 
 
 B 2 
 
4 -TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 away with their merry cry. His mother died when he was 
 quite young, so it need not be said he was idoHsed by his 
 father, who never married again, but lavished all his love 
 on his only child. Just enough schooling to teach him to 
 read, write, keep accounts, and an insight into general 
 knowledge satisfied his father, and at the age of fourteen 
 he was promoted to the office of whipper-in. Right well 
 he filled the post, to the delight and admiration of the old 
 gentleman, who hunted his own pack, and great was the 
 sport they showed. John was a bold rider and fine horseman, 
 quick as lightning, but quiet and patient ; so, under his 
 father's tuition, he quickly learnt all about hunting. A bad 
 fall made it necessary for the old gentleman to give ujd his 
 horn to his son and take a less active part in the field, and 
 shortly after he joined the majority, deeply regretted by all 
 who knew him, leaving his son a comfortable farm and 
 income, with a pack of twenty couple of 20 inch harriers, 
 second to none in the kingdom. 
 
 The pack had been carefully bred for years, and John fully 
 kept up their reputation. 
 
 The Ravensdale kennels were situated in a fine hunting- 
 country, a good deal of grass, strongly fenced ; and, what is 
 all important to a harrier country, there were some high 
 downs, famous for a hardy, flying breed of hares, which would 
 often take to the low country and give their followers some 
 tremendous runs. 
 
 At the time of my story, September 187 — , John had 
 been Master, showing capital sport, for five years since his 
 father's death, and was twenty-seven years of age. Standing 
 five feet ten, his riding weight eleven stone, just enough, as 
 he said, to steady them without being a burden, he was the 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 5 
 
 leau ideal of a horseman. Though well off, he was not a 
 rich man, according to present ideas, so he made his stud 
 pay for their keep. Being a good judge of horseflesh, he 
 always bought a lot of colts at fairs or direct from the 
 breeders, which he would turn out in his meadows ; or, if 
 old enough, make them at once, always seUing at a con- 
 siderable profit, either privately or sending the stud to 
 Tattersall's at the end of the season, and being well known, 
 any horse that passed through his hands was safe to fetch a 
 top price. He kept six for his own riding, for besides 
 hunting his own hounds three days a week, often with a 
 second horse out, there were two packs of fox-hounds within 
 reach, so he always went two days a week with one or other. 
 Thursday he never hunted, as it was market-day at the 
 county town, and he always attended to meet his neighbours, 
 transact what business he had to do, and dine with them 
 afterwards, the same as his father had always done. The 
 ordinary, without him to keep it alive would have been a 
 dull affair, he had a joke and merry smile for every one. 
 Wherever he was, his jolly humour seemed to pervade the 
 company, and good fellowship reigned supreme. There were 
 three horses for the whips, and, of course, a Jack-of-all- 
 trades, which is to be found in every hunting estabhshment, 
 and does more work than all the others put together. No 
 money would ever induce his owner to part with that grey 
 cob, though large sums had often been offered. A tough, 
 wiry old beggar, of any age, standing 14.2, with flat, clean 
 legs, short back, and rare shoulders, he could gallop and 
 jump all day long, with Master or whips, doing all the 
 hacking work besides, and as for harness, he always seemed 
 to be taking his rest between the shafts, either going to the 
 
6 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 town in the trap, or at a pinch drawing home a fallen 
 comrade to the way of all flesh. 
 
 The establishment consisted of the old feeder, John 
 Wilson, who had been with them all his Ufe. His son Joe 
 was now whip, while his son John again was second whip, 
 or second horseman for the Master, as the case might be. 
 So there were three generations in the kennel, all bound to 
 their young Master with almost family ties, serving him with 
 devotion unfortunately rarely seen in these days. Old John, 
 who was a widower, lived with his grandson, for company, 
 close to the kennels, so as to be at hand in case of accident. 
 Joe lived in the house, for, besides being whip, he was stud 
 groom (of course having three or four helpers under him in 
 the stable), butler and valet ; and his wife, cook and house- 
 keeper, for the Master was a bachelor, and so far as any one 
 knew not likely to change his state. Though fond of plain 
 living, everything must be of the best, and he kept a good 
 cellar, often giving little sociable dinners to his friends, and 
 it need not be said they were all hunting men. 
 
 It was a bright sunny morning, early in October, they were 
 to meet at the kennels for the opening day, and according to 
 custom the Master provided a breakfast, to which all his 
 supporters were made welcome. 
 
 The field as a rule numbered about twenty, and there were 
 some good men amongst them, who would hold their own 
 with any company across any country. Eleven o'clock was 
 the time of meeting, and due justice having been done to the 
 plain but ample breakfast, the sport of the day commenced. 
 
 It was a pretty sight as the Master rode out from the 
 kennel-yard, surrounded by the merry little pack. Twelve 
 couple, mixed but level, for they kept only the smallest dog- 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 7 
 
 hounds. Well mounted on a well-bred grey, the Master 
 showed off at his best in a new green coat, everythino- in 
 character, from cap to spurs. A cheery smile lighted up his 
 keen, close-shaved face. Some one asked him once why he 
 did not grow a moustache. " I wear a moustache ! How the 
 blazes should I ever clap a horn tight to my lips to blow^ in a 
 hurry, with one of those darned things frizzling round my 
 mouth ? " So he kept his hard, keen face clean shaved, and 
 of course the servants were the same. Like the Master, 
 they were in new green coats ; Joe in front on a thorough- 
 bred bay, and his son behind on a rare chestnut, in case his 
 Master w^anted a second horse, for he would be with his 
 hounds, and they did not make short days early in the season. 
 Of the field, the squire of the parish was there to try a 
 new purchase ; the parson on a well-bred cob would show 
 most of them the way, and knew more about hunting than 
 a good many ; the curate, who had already been his rounds, 
 visiting the poor, and had looked in at the village school, but 
 the boys had begged a holiday, which the master had 
 willingly given, and there they were together on foot, keen 
 as any of the field, surrounded by a bevy of boys all 
 eager for sport. Twelve or fourteen well-mounted farmers, 
 and one or two of the local gentry, with a few grooms on 
 their masters' horses, out for an hour or two's schooling, com- 
 prised the field. Just as they were moving off, a young 
 lady on a wiry little bay mare, accompanied by a lad, evi- 
 dently her brother, on a dun pony, trotted up. " Who's the 
 habit ? " said the Master, who hated the sight of them out 
 with hounds, to Joe. "Don't know, sir, but I'll soon find 
 out," and he began his inquiries amongst the field, keeping 
 liis eye on the hounds though, all the time, as they began 
 
8 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 drawing a meadow beneath the churchyard, which, under 
 the parson's care, always held a hare. " Whoop, she goes ! " 
 Away they went with a merry cry, and all else was for- 
 gotten. " Half-past eleven," says the timekeeper, but no 
 one else bothers about looking at his watch. The Master 
 and Joe sail away with the pack over a good country down 
 to the parson's garden, where the hare has evidently been 
 on visiting terms, and no doubt punished the carnations and 
 parsley bed, but there is no time to linger now, for, while the 
 field stay in the paddock, the hounds bustle her through 
 and the Master's quick eye catches view as she runs down 
 the carriage-drive to the open again. Scent is good, and 
 they fly along down past the school-meadows to the stiffly 
 fenced country beyond, and the field gets select as they 
 drive her at a good pace down to a big brook which has 
 often proved a stopper to a harder riding field. Over she 
 goes with the pack on good terms, and never a bridge within 
 half a mile. The grey is not so good at water as he is at 
 timber, but it is a case of necessity, and that is more than 
 half the battle with a good man on his back. 
 
 Fourteen feet of naked water with rotten banks, even at 
 this time of year, takes some doing, so our Master began to 
 ride as soon as he jumped into the field. As he goes best 
 pace at the brook he hears some one alongside and looking 
 over his shoulder. 
 
 " Blame me, but it's the habit ! what business has she to 
 go at water ? " 
 
 That last vicious dig did the trick for him though, and 
 landed the grey safely over, while the game little bay mare 
 flew it like a bird. " Well done you," thought our Master ; 
 " but you're a trump anyhow. Darned if I like to see a 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 9 
 
 woman risk her neck, though, Hke that. Forrard ! forrard ! 
 my httle darlings," as he saw them flying ahead, and forgot 
 everything else, except that he was with them. What 
 mattered it to him so long as Joe got safely over after him 
 who else followed ? How some got in, how others, led by 
 the parson, made for the nearest bridge or ford, hoping to 
 cut in again. Hounds were running, scent breast high, and 
 he was with them ! On they went to a small covert, where 
 they might have changed had not Joe been back to view 
 her double. A light lift helped them, and they got on good 
 terms, back again some way, then turned short to the right, 
 on to Highfirs Common, where she puzzled them some time 
 amongst the furze, and allowed the field to come up. They 
 had been running about thirty minutes pretty straight, but 
 it was nearly over. How pleased the field were to get to 
 them, and what a run it had been ! The boy on the dun 
 cob had a lot to say about his doings, but his sister quietly 
 snubbed him, " How about the brook ? " This seemed to get 
 his monkey up, for when hounds drove their hare out on to 
 the racecourse and went straight along, every one in view at 
 racing pace, he rode his cob in front as hard as he could go. 
 Off the racecourse into a small spinney, where the hare 
 doubled, there was a high stile, over which the Master 
 popped on his grey to pick up his hare in case they killed 
 her. With more j^luck than judgment the boy went too 
 fast ; game as a pebble, the dun tried his best, but had too 
 much pace to rise, and as the Master picked up his hare stiff 
 and stark for a " Whoo-whoop ! " the pony hit the stile hard, 
 and fell. Luckily the pace was such that the boy was shot 
 clear, rolling like a cannon-ball yards ahead on the soft 
 crround. 
 
10 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 Loud laughed the Master, who was taken to task by an 
 old gentleman for his heartlessness. " Bless your kind soul, 
 sir, if you had seen and had as many falls as I have you 
 would know when a man is hurt or not ! Here, boy, come 
 here and take the scut, for you have earned it well, and will 
 make a sportsman some day. Take my advice, and always 
 go slow at timber." 
 
 The boy looked pleased, though a bit shaken, as he came 
 to take the scut, but soon mounted his pony again, none the 
 worse but more sobered, as he rode off home with his sister. 
 
 " Who are they ? " said the Master, as he mounted his 
 chestnut to look for another hare. 
 
 " They belongs to the lady as has taken old Mr. Jones's 
 cottage down at Heathfield," said Joe, who had managed to 
 make inquiries as they rode along. " She's a widdy, with 
 them two childer," 
 
 " Not a bad-looking lass, and rides well," soliloquised the 
 Master, as he rode along. " How she came at the brook, 
 and it takes some doing too. I wouldn't let a she relation 
 of mine hunt, though, blest if I would." 
 
 " Hoick ! holloa ! Yonder she goes." And they were away 
 once more, racing like the wind. The chestnut was young, 
 and wanted riding; so he was soon engrossed with the 
 business in hand ; and a rattling fall over some stiff rails, 
 which the young one would go at too fast, put everything 
 else out of his head until he had killed another hare and 
 arrived at home, after a capital day's sport, and sitting down 
 in his old tweed suit to his dinner he began to think about 
 the fair girl he had seen that day. 
 
 Before going further, a few words about the tenant at 
 Heathfield will be necessary. Mrs. Scott was the widow of 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 11 
 
 a well-to-do City merchant, who had left her well off, with 
 her daughter Mary and son Tom, whom we have seen out 
 with the hounds to-day. Having a comfortable house in 
 town it was her custom to let it every now and then for a 
 term, and take a cottage in the country for change of air — 
 sometimes for six months and even for a year, or perhaps 
 two, if they liked the neighbourhood. Thus they came to 
 be living in Mr. Jones's cottage at Heathfield. Rose Cottage 
 it was called, and a snug little place it was, nestling in a 
 quiet corner of the village, well guarded by a thick hedge 
 and sheltered with high trees. Roses bloomed nearly all 
 the year round, and everything in the garden was earlier in 
 the season than elsewhere. In the stables were a useful 
 brougham horse, which carried the staid coachman in attend- 
 ance behind his young mistress when wanted, the bay mare 
 and dun cob before mentioned, which also ran in a pony- 
 chaise to draw mother and daughter about when they did 
 not care to have the brougham. 
 
 Mrs. Scott was one of those kind, well-meaning ladies 
 who try to do right, but are too easily led ; moreover, she 
 was a little ambitious, like all mothers, that her only 
 daughter should do well for herself in the matrimonial 
 market. 
 
 Sitting reading in the pretty little drawing-room, she kept 
 looking with anxious eye through the French window, com- 
 manding a view of the carriage drive, and just before two 
 o'clock her face lighted up as she caught sight of her young 
 people returning from their ride ; Tom, in advance, waving 
 his trophy in high glee, forgetting, boy-like, all about his 
 dirty coat, which caught his fond mother's quick eye at 
 once. Quickly opening the window she stepped out. " Oh, 
 
12 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 Tom, what is the matter ? you have had a fall. And Mary, 
 your mare is all covered with dirt. What have you been 
 doing, and what makes you so late ? I have waited luncheon 
 this hour for you." 
 
 Tom had first say, of course. " We have had a rare lark, 
 mother, with the harriers, and the huntsman has given me 
 this; I shall go out with the fox-hounds and get a brush 
 like Cousin Fred next, then he won't be able to crow so next 
 half. Dun Brown tumbled down, but we are not hurt, and 
 I don't care a bit." 
 
 " We met the harriers, mother dear ; don't look so anxious ; 
 it is better fun than always riding about these dull lanes ; 
 and you know Uncle William told us Mayfly had been 
 hunted and was quiet with hounds when he bought her for 
 us at Tattersall's, and we only had a little gallop with them," 
 said Mary, quietly ignoring her performance at the brook 
 and hoping that no one would tell mamma. 
 
 "I don't like your hunting," said Mrs. Scott. "If Tom 
 likes to go out now and then with old George to look after 
 him, I do not mind ; but for you, Mary, it is too fast, and I 
 don't like young ladies to go scampering about the country, 
 it gets talked about." 
 
 " I don't see any harm in it, mother, and I am sure lots of 
 girls hunt regularly, and are none the worse for it. The 
 harriers that we met are a private pack, belonging to Mr. 
 Hardacre, who hunts them himself, and seems a very nice 
 young gentleman," said Mary, who knew a good deal more 
 about the whole establishment of the Master of Harriers 
 than any one would have guessed. 
 
 She was a tall, fair girl, that no one would have passed, 
 even in a big crowd, without looking at her twice. A hand- 
 
THE RULIXG PASSION. 
 
 13 
 
 some rather than a pretty face, for there was at times a hard, 
 determined expression about the mouth and lower features 
 that gave one the idea of a temper. She possessed a 
 beautiful figure, especially on horseback, when set off by a 
 neat habit, and she sat her horse to perfection. 
 
 Though only nineteen years of age, she had completely 
 gained the upper hand over her devoted mother, who was 
 careful never to thwart her. 
 
 f^^4ti^*;. 
 
 Tom, fourteen years old, was a fair specimen of the 
 average schoolboy. Frank, open, and manly, better at sport 
 than lessons, perhaps ; but a boy is none the worse for that, 
 so long as he goes straight. 
 
 He loved his dun pony like his own soul, and after seeing 
 him washed over and done up, to be sure that no harm had 
 
14 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 been done by his fall, he had to feed his terriers and ferrets 
 before going in to luncheon. 
 
 With a couple of well-bred fox-terriers, Grip and Nell, 
 and three or four ferrets, he would trot about from farm to 
 farm during his holidays, begging a day's ratting, or even 
 rabbiting when in luck, and farmers were generally glad to 
 see the boy, for he was a nailer at that game. 
 
 By the time he went in to luncheon, of course he forgot 
 to wash his hands, so he had to be despatched forthwith, and 
 on his return he found Mary had changed her habit, and 
 with her mother was more than half through luncheon. 
 
 There was a quiet, determined look on the young lady's 
 face as she said, " You leave me alone, mother. I know how 
 to play my cards, and will not allow your foolish fears to 
 spoil my game." 
 
 With a distressed look, the mother turned to Tom. " Well, 
 Tom, as your sister wants to hunt, you must go with her, 
 and I shall send George with you as well, for it does not 
 look well for you two to be tearing about together alone." 
 
 " All right, mother, old George (won't get far on the 
 brougham horse with those hounds, he was going to say, 
 but a kick under the table from Mary stopped him, and he 
 altered) likes hunting and knows a lot about it, and you 
 know both ours are safe to jump anything that the brougham 
 horse will." So it was settled that the young people might 
 join the hounds whenever they were able. 
 
 Never was such a season known for sport in the annals of 
 the Kavensdale Hunt. Day after day they had clipping 
 runs, and as his young hounds had entered well, while of 
 course they improved daily, the pack did not require quite 
 such close attention on the Master's part as they might 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 15 
 
 have done, so lie found himself often watching for the flutter 
 of a habit instead of being engrossed with his hounds as 
 before ; while at night, instead of thinking over the events 
 of the day with his quiet pipe and grog after dinner, " How 
 Bonnybell had made a hit in a stony lane," or " how beautifully 
 the little darlings puzzled out a cold scent on stained ground," 
 it was more often, " How well the girl rides. What a nice 
 figure on horseback. She seems kind, too ! " For they were 
 already on bowing terms, and would say a few nothings out 
 in the field, while he and Master Tom had struck up a 
 strong friendship. John Hardacre, farming his own land — 
 six hundred acres — with a good balance at his bankers, 
 might have taken a very good position in the county, and 
 mixed in the highest society ; but he preferred a quiet life, 
 as his father had done before him, and though he could 
 entertain a duke at Ravensdale, or would meet at a noble- 
 man's house with the harriers at any time, he had never 
 availed himself further, though it was not for the want of 
 asking. He had never been much in ladies' society, so was 
 shy and reserved, while his usual good-humoured smile and 
 ready wit seemed to disappear in their presence. Amongst 
 men he was the life and soul of any company in which he 
 might find himself. There was a perplexed look on his 
 face now that was most comical as he sat before the fire, a 
 strong black briar-root pipe between his white teeth, a glass 
 of hot gin-and-water on his knee, and a favourite old harrier 
 bitch, whose day was done, stretched out between his feet, 
 starting in her dreams now and then at the recollection of 
 many a merry chase in happy days gone by. 
 
 His banker's book lay open on the table beside him, and 
 from time to time, after a sip, he would turn to it and seem 
 
16 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 to make calculations. " What would it cost ? She seems a 
 nice, quiet, domesticated girl, fond of riding. Of course, I 
 should not let her hunt though ; for women, especially 
 married ones whose husbands are otherwise occupied, have 
 no business out with hounds. She might ride about, though, 
 as much as she likes, and have the choice of the nags into 
 the bargain. What a lot it would put on their price at 
 Tattersall's ; ' lots 1 to 8 carry a lady,' in the catalogue, after 
 what I have to say for them, would quite cover the extra 
 expense. But then she won't look at the like of me ! 
 What do I know except hunting ? Dear old governor, he 
 meant well, and so far I never grumbled, for no man has 
 enjoyed life better, but he handicapped me heavily against 
 the young men in my position of the present day when he 
 neglected my education. A good many of them look down 
 upon me, I know, though they are glad enough to come out 
 with the hounds. But dash it all, old man, you are getting 
 down-hearted ; why should you fret about other people ? " 
 continued he to himself. " Can't I spreadeagle a field ? 
 ' Faint heart never won fair lady.' There will be no harm 
 in calling, and it is only neighbourly, anyhow. Old Jones 
 used to walk a puppy, perhaps they might ; the boy is a 
 trump, anyhow. I will go there the first frosty day that we 
 can't hunt." Having made up his mind, he finished his 
 glass and betook himself to bed at half-past ten. 
 
 The opportunity arrived before he expected. The hounds 
 often met at Heathfield village, and during the first week in 
 December they were there on a good scenting day. A small 
 field met the Master as he rode up to the village green, 
 where they always met. Among them, of course, were Miss 
 Scott and her brother. Off came the Master's cap as the 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 17 
 
 young lady rode up, and very gracious was her bow in return, 
 while Master Tom rode right in amongst the hounds 
 to invite John to Kose Cottage if he required refreshment. 
 
 Though contrary to his usual custom, he made a move in 
 that direction, much to the delight of the young people and 
 astonishment of the field. It is not every small house that 
 will stand a siege at a moment's notice, but Mrs. Scott was 
 quite equal to the occasion, and after our Master had been 
 presented, and his wants and those of his men been attended, 
 she received his stammering thanks and apologies so graciously, 
 being in reality prepossessed by his good looks and modest 
 demeanour, that when he turned his horse and left with the 
 hounds to make room for the rest of the field, who were 
 waiting to be attended — for a lot of hunting men are like a 
 flock of sheep, if one rides up to a house to drink another 
 does whether he wants it or not — he felt quite at home, and 
 not a bit shy, when Mary ranged her bay mare alongside his 
 horse to ride down the carriage drive. 
 
 Joe stared at his Master in open wonder, for there was the 
 bay mare right amongst the hounds, and he who was usually 
 so particular was actually talking and laughing with her 
 fair rider regardless that his pets were in danger of being 
 kicked. 
 
 Mary was gradually helping him out of his shyness, and all 
 that day she rode beside him, and on many a day after that, 
 till just before Christmas a hard frost set in, and all field 
 operations were brought to a standstill. 
 
 John in a frost, with his occupation gone, was always 
 uncomfortable, but now he seemed worse than ever. 
 
 For the first three or four days he went about his daily 
 duties as usual, looking to his farm and exercising his hounds, 
 
 c 
 
18 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 but his nights grew duller and duller, so at last he could 
 stand it no longer, and once his mind was made up it took a 
 good deal to turn him. 
 
 He got himself up rather more carefully than usual, though 
 always very neat in his sporting mvfti, and having old 
 Jack-of-all-trades roughed, he rode over to call at Rose 
 Cottage. 
 
 Though a bright frosty morning, with keen wind, which 
 seemed to cut through and freeze his very marrow, for he 
 dared not go fast on the hard ground to keep warm, yet he 
 felt himself grow hotter and hotter, until he would have been 
 at white-heat on arrival, but just as he turned the corner 
 from a narrow lane into a foot-path, for of course he knew 
 every short cut, he came all of a sudden face to face with 
 Mary Scott, looking better than ever, with the bloom of 
 health from her enjoyment of sharp exercise. He was 
 down from his cob at once, and the greeting was most cordial 
 on both sides. 
 
 Mary asked how he managed to employ himself this 
 weather, how were the hounds, naming one or two favourites, 
 a sure way to win a huntsman's heart. John was enraptured, 
 but when she led him on to talk about the horses, and let 
 out that the bay mare was lame, he was so distressed that 
 he blurted out — 
 
 "Well, never mind, you shall have one of mine when the 
 frost goes. I wish you would take your choice, and as for 
 that, look here, Miss Scott. May I call you Mary ? I'm 
 a rough, plain fellow, I know, but have a good heart 
 somewhere." 
 
 Encouraged by her blushing, he seized her, covering the 
 pretty face with kisses ; nor did he leave go until she had 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 19 
 
 promised to be his wife, subject to asking mamma ; while old 
 Jack-of-all-trades looked oa demurely, a quiet spectator. If 
 horses could only talk, what rum tales they could tell ! But 
 no one should reveal secrets concerning the old, old story ; so, 
 suffice it to say, it was arranged between the young people 
 that John should go on to Rose Cottage with his important 
 mission, while Mary continued her walk, to return home later 
 on to hear the verdict. 
 
 How ever John got through that interview with the mother 
 no one ever knew, but she helped him most kindly, and 
 almost put him at his ease, though he confided to a friend 
 afterwards that he would sooner go at the biggest fence 
 possible, on the worst brute ever mounted, than face such an 
 ordeal again. 
 
 However, he came through all right, and the old lady seemed 
 well satisfied with his answers to her somewhat pertinent 
 question as to his means. So she congratulated Mary when 
 she came in, and as Tom was in great form when he heard 
 the news, they all sat down to luncheon in good spirits. 
 
 It was quite a new experience for John to be treated as a 
 member of a family ; but he seemed to fall into their ways 
 unconsciously, and after passing a very lively afternoon, 
 helping Tom do some rat-hunting, with Mary looking on, till 
 it grew dark, and sitting in a cosy room, with only the fire- 
 light, afterwards till dinner time, for the first time in his 
 life he forgot all about his hounds and horses. 
 
 Weather mattered little, he seemed to be in perpetual 
 sunshine. Taking no heed of the time, it was very late 
 when old Jack was brought round, and after an affectionate 
 leave-taking (it is a question whether John had ever been 
 kissed before), he started on his homeward ride, and, 
 
 c 2 
 
20 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 as was liis wont when highly pleased, began talking to 
 his horse. 
 
 " Forrad on, old man ! You will have this journey often 
 enough now, I hope. She's a darling, isn't she ? And she 
 kissed you, too. I love her even better for being fond of 
 animals. You shall carry her one day if you behave. Won't 
 you be proud ? But she shall have her pick of the stud, 
 though she might do worse, eh, old horse ? You won't be 
 jealous ? " It did not take them long to reach home ; but it 
 was nearly one o'clock, and the establishment were all sitting 
 up anxiously waiting for their Master, and wondering what had 
 kept him so unusually late. The news was too good to keep, 
 and all were glad to hear it, for they loved their Master and 
 were glad to hear anything that gave him pleasure. Talking 
 it over next day amongst themselves, when the Master had 
 again ridden over to dine at Rose Cottage, old John, who 
 was a pretty keen judge of character amongst the human 
 race as well as in the kennel, said, " She's a handsome girl, 
 and well shaped ; sits her horse well with good hands, but 
 she never looks you straight in the face. Love hides a lot of 
 faults, but you never knew the Master, or his father before 
 him, keep a hound that did not look straight. I like to see 
 an eye meet mine without fear, and look straight at me. See 
 old Sempstress there, how confiding she looks at you, and she 
 never told a lie." 
 
 " Well, grandfather, it's no good croaking, let's hope the 
 Master will keej) her straight ; he's a rare good sort, and 
 there is not a man can ride with him on this side of the 
 country," said young John. " Here's luck to him, and long 
 life," emptying a horn of ale that had been sent out 
 for them. 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 21 
 
 Much to our Master's regret, he heard on arrival at Kose 
 Cottage that the Scotts had accepted an invitation to spend 
 Christmas in London with a Mr, Wright, who had married a 
 sister of Mrs. Scott's, and John was now asked to join them 
 and be introduced to their family. As the frost looked like 
 lasting he accepted, and they were all to travel together two 
 days before Christmas. He did not feel like himself leaving 
 home at Christmas for the first time in his life, but he left 
 the wherewithal for his people to enjoy themselves, and 
 instructions to Joe where to telegraph in case of a thaw. 
 The hounds and horses were quite safe. He knew well 
 enough he could depend on his men, though he had seldom 
 left them before. They had a merry journey to London, but 
 after our Master had gone through the ordeal of introduction 
 it must be confessed he felt like a fish out of water. Town 
 with him meant Tattersall's, where he always resorted through 
 the summer or during a frost ; but he hated London, and 
 never went anywhere but what he called the " boots and 
 breeches " end of Oxford-street to give orders to Bartley or 
 Tautz. Everything else he bought in his own village or the 
 county-town, saying that it is the duty of every hunting man 
 to spend money in his own neighbourhood amongst the people 
 who support him. Christmas morning was dull, foggy, and 
 miserable, very different to what he had been used, for even 
 during a frost it is not quite so dismal out in the country. It 
 looked like a thaw, which rather raised his spirits ; but no 
 telegram came from Joe. Mr. Wright was a City man, and 
 knew nothing about sport. Even his attempts at that kind 
 of conversation would have amused John at any other time 
 but now he seemed ill at ease. There were no sporting 
 papers of course in the middle of the week, and nowhere to 
 
'I'JL TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 go. Mary, too, seemed cooler, for her town-bred cousins had 
 been criticising her lover's countrified dress and manners, and 
 she was rather inclined to snub him, Tom kept them all 
 alive with his good spirits, and taking John out for a walk in 
 the afternoon, they found their way dow^n to old Tom Wilton's, 
 at Notting-dale, and spent an hour amongst the hounds, 
 chaffing and laughing, which put John quite in a good humour 
 again, so he could even put up with Mr. Wright after dinner, 
 and when they joined the ladies our Master was in great form. 
 Next morning a welcome telegram arrived from Joe, and by 
 the afternoon he w^as whirling along home in an Express. A 
 capital day's sport next day, and his lady-love being still 
 away, gave him the opportunity of waiting his first love-letter, 
 and a droll production it was. It is only under exceptional 
 circumstances that such letters are ever produced in public, 
 so it will not do to give it; suffice it to say it was duly 
 answered, and that answer, together with a photograph of its 
 sender, were deposited in our Master's breast-pocket, to be 
 studied and gazed at times without number. There were a 
 good many letters passed between them after that, for the 
 Scotts remained in town, and as the Weather continued open, 
 John was fully occupied, and good sport kept him at home. 
 
 His season ended the last Week in March, but the fox- 
 hounds went on later, so he would go five days a week with 
 them. The Scotts came down just before Easter, so John 
 trotted over on Good Friday. 
 
 The fox-hounds were to meet near Heathfield next morning, 
 and Mary wished to go. Her mare Was not fit, of course, and 
 Tom was not at home to go with her, so what could John do 
 but offer to take her, though he hated to see ladies out hunting, 
 and especially feared to take the one he loved, for no one 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 23 
 
 knew better the risk that all run with hounds ? With men 
 it don't matter whether they fall or not, they can get clear ; 
 but a lady is so dependent on her horse, and if he falls she 
 cannot often get away. 
 
 Miss Mary pouted so prettily, and showed just a little 
 temper, that he was obliged to give way on the condition 
 that she rode his grey, a very safe mount, and that she should 
 go home with Joe, who would look after her when his Master 
 changed horses. 
 
 It was a lovely morning, and they had a pleasant ride to 
 the meet, one of the prettiest spots in the county. An old- 
 established pack were the Blazershire, and it took a good 
 man and horse to follow them over their grass country when 
 the fences were made up. The huntsman, a tough, wiry 
 little man, greeted John cordially as he rode up, for they 
 were on the best of terms, and always helped one another in 
 every way, as all good sportsmen should, when hunting 
 different game over the same country. 
 
 John's engagement was pretty well known, and every one 
 was gratifying his or her curiosity by staring at the young 
 lady, who seemed quite composed under the ordeal. It was 
 too bad of the M.F.H., who was a wag in his way, to pretend 
 to ignore her presence, and without waiting for John to make 
 the necessary introduction, launch out in a torrent of chaff, 
 and tell a racy tale as in days gone by, enjoying his victim's 
 discomfiture. Poor John had a bad quarter of an hour, as 
 our lively neighbours over the water put it, and he was not 
 sorry when the signal was given to move. 
 
 The first cover was a sure find, and answered its reputation 
 now. Tally-ho ! — Away 1 the pack streamed out of cover, 
 and the rush besfan. 
 
24 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 " Come along, Mary, let's keep out of the crowd. Keep 
 close to the missis, Joe, in case we get parted." For it was 
 too near the end of the season for a keen man to lose a run 
 for any one, however dear. 
 
 " Yonder he goes, look ! We can get over here and nick . 
 in with them. Sit well back, but it's no use telling you how 
 to ride." A few small fences to a farm, where the fox was 
 headed and turned back right through his pursuers, making 
 his way to where he was first found. There he met with 
 some late comers, so had little chance with the Blazershire 
 bitches close to him. 
 
 " Whoo-whoop ! tear 'im and eat 'im ! " Almost a chop, 
 they would hardly have saved his brush, had not John 
 begged it and presented it to Mary, fastening it to the 
 bridle and sending her home quite content with Joe, They 
 had a good run in the afternoon, taking them right away 
 from home, so it was late when John called at Rose Cottage 
 on the way home, and his horse being tired he could not stop. 
 
 It was the end of the season, and in past years John had 
 felt regret, but now he did not seem to mind a bit, for he had 
 plenty to occupy him. 
 
 They were to be married in July, and he had to get his 
 house done up and re -furnished. Much of his time was 
 spent with Mary, and they had many pleasant rides together 
 about the pretty country lanes. All went happily till nearly 
 the end of May. The Wrights came down to stay at Eose 
 Cottage. Mr. Wright, who was what is called a man of 
 business, managed all Mrs. Scott's affairs, and he took in hand 
 the task of settlements for Mary. Straightforward and 
 honest as the day, John had no objection to his books being 
 overhauled, but Mr. Wright being a Cockney could not 
 
?|M. 
 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 25 
 
 understand some of the expenditure. " Why should a man 
 spend nearly a thousand a year on a pack of hounds ? " he 
 asked Mrs. Scott, and impressed on that good lady that the 
 harriers ought to be given up. The Miss Wrights, too, used 
 their influence on Mary, wondering how a good-looking 
 girl like her should throw herself away on a man who 
 dressed like an ostler (mark their ignorance), and had no 
 ideas beyond hunting. They would do better, or leave it 
 alone. Maxy had not much real strength of character with 
 all her obstinacy, so after the first excitement of her engage- 
 ment wore off she began to slight poor John, and now she was 
 oven cruel. His love never changed, and he felt it keenly, 
 for when he rode over to Rose Cottage now he knew that he 
 was slighted. Mary snubbed him more than ever, and while 
 the Wright girls were with her she seemed to take a delight 
 in doing so. Mrs. Scott threw out strong hints that he ought 
 to give up the hounds, but he never believed in anything 
 of the sort, so took no notice till Mary one day put it 
 to him rather strongly that he thought more of his hounds 
 than he did of her. 
 
 This opened his eyes, but he did not say much till Mr. 
 Wright made it one of the conditions that they should be 
 given up before his niece was married, as the estate did not, 
 in his eyes, justify the expenditure. Then our Master 
 grappled with the situation. 
 
 Cantering over to Rose Cottage he found Mary alone in 
 the garden, and asked her straight out whether it was by her 
 desire that her uncle had made the proposition. 
 
 He looked so handsome in his anxiety and earnestness that 
 she almost relented, but, determined to try him to the utmost, 
 answered, " Yes." 
 
26 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 " I am to understand that you will not marry me unless I 
 give up ray hounds ? " 
 
 And she unfortunately again answered, " Yes." 
 
 " Then good-bye, Mary ; I hope for your sake you will 
 find some one more able to make you happy than I 
 could." 
 
 And without trusting himself to say more, he galloped off 
 home. Going at once to the kennels he shut himself in with 
 his pets and gave vent to his feelings. They clustered round 
 him in their affectionate, confiding way, poking their cold 
 noses into his hand, and waving their sterns, while one or 
 two old favourites took further liberties on this occasion, and 
 jumped against him, looking up in his face, which brought 
 him to himself, 
 
 " What love can ever equal yours, you beauties ? Give 
 you up ! No, not for all the girls in England, nor marry at 
 all unless they take you too. Yoick, Bonnybell, old bitch, 
 look ye here, here's a photograph. Who-whoop ! tear it 
 up, there's an end to that game." 
 
 But for all this our Master felt his disappointment keenly, 
 for a sportsman's affections are not lightly given. An old 
 friend met him in the county town a short time after with a 
 furnishing catalogue under his arm, going to the leading 
 upholsterers. He had heard of his engagement without 
 hearing the later oews, and not having had the opportunity 
 before of congratulating him on the first event, proceeded to 
 do so in the usual gushing manner. There was a quiet 
 twinkle in the Master's eye as he said, " There were a good 
 many kind friends offered their congratulations before, but 
 you are the first this time, and really I think there is more 
 cause to thank you than all the others put together, for it. 
 
THE RULING PASSION. 27 
 
 would be no use for me to marry a girl who objected to a 
 pack of hounds." 
 
 " My dear fellow, I am very sorry, but no apology on my 
 part will do for a mistake that I could not help, and you are 
 a good sort. Come and have a drink." 
 
 " Well, I don't often indulge between meals, as you know, 
 but my appetite has not been very good lately, and I don't 
 feel quite up to the mark." 
 
 Any one could see that his usually hard bitten face was 
 marked with lines, and he had evidently suffered more than 
 he would have cared to show.' 
 
 " What are you doing with that catalogue, if it is a fair 
 question ? " said his friend. 
 
 " Well, you know I had given orders for my house to be 
 done up, and when I give an order or put a horse at a fence 
 it has to be done, whatever happens. Going through life is 
 very like a run with hounds ; there are difficulties and fences 
 to be encountered, and now and then the best of us come to 
 grief. A shake like I have had is like a bad fall, which 
 turns us back on the wrong side of a fence. If we can't 
 get over we go round, and next time we come to the same 
 kind of fence, usually a darned blind one, we go steady, 
 gather him well together, and pick out the easiest 'place." 
 
 As his friend said good-bye, and stood watching his well- 
 knit active figure as he walked down the street with that 
 slight rolling gait peculiar to men who are always in the 
 saddle, he could not help wishing that " the next time our 
 friend John meets with a fence of this description that he 
 will get safe over, for his sort is getting precious scarce." 
 
 When the hare-hunting season commenced again there 
 was no change in the Ravensdale pack, but a very neat little 
 
28 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 pony-chaise might have been seen at the opening meet, driven 
 by pretty little Fanny Brown, daughter of one of the largest 
 tenant farmers in the county, and there were rumours about 
 that all that new furniture at Ravensdale had not been 
 bought for nothing. 
 
 A board, " To Let," stood in the garden of Rose Cottage. 
 Poor Tom never got over the disappointment, for he felt it 
 more than any one, and there was no hunting to be had in 
 London, where they had gone. 
 
 After an engagement has been made public, and a girl 
 breaks it otf, it makes other men careful. Some one saw Mary 
 walking in town with a young man whose character, they 
 said, would not bear very strict investigation, for all that he 
 wore a black coat and a high hat. But if she liked to console 
 herself for what even she now reckoned her loss, it was no 
 one else's business. It will not be out of place to give a word 
 of advice to well-meaning but meddlesome persons. If a 
 sportsman gives his love it is not done without due consider- 
 ation and knowing what he can afford best, so never interfere 
 with the Ruling Passion. 
 
 
 cl'l 
 
 r 
 
THE RULING PASSION— SEQUEL. 
 
THE RULING PASSION— SEQUEL. 
 
 zr -"":^ ^;=~-- - HAT hunting sea- 
 ;£:-2 son which opened 
 
 ^®^^5^ o^ *^® preceding 
 ^ 4^-)? , ' 5»^.v. - ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^j^^ 
 
 will never be forgotten by worthy- 
 John Hardacre or his followers, 
 who still declare it to be the 
 best, as it was also the last that 
 they ever enjoyed with the 
 Ravensdale Harriers. On the 
 opening day there was a neat 
 little pony-chaise driven by pretty 
 Httle Fanny Brown, and rumour with busy tongues de- 
 clared that the Master was sorely smitten by her charms, 
 but once bit twice shy, he was not struck all of a heap, 
 for past experience made him wary, besides which his 
 hounds now occupied his whole attention, for never be- 
 fore had they shown such sport; so the ruling passion 
 was stronger than ever. Not that he was altogether 
 insensible to the fair Fanny's charms, for she had many 
 fascinating ways which were almost soothing to his feel- 
 ings still smarting under previous wounds, but she was 
 
32 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 young yet, and if ever he thought much about her it was 
 with the reflection that she was not more than eighteen, so 
 her parents would not be Hkely to favour any suitor for some 
 years, especially as she would inherit a goodly dowry, about 
 fifty thousand pounds, if she married according to their 
 satisfaction. Perhaps his natural modesty stood in his way, 
 and the ruling passion still more, for old Brown was one of 
 his supporters with greater influence than most of them, so 
 he naturally argued to himself that if he did anything to 
 upset their hitherto friendly relations, it might possibly alter 
 hunting arrangements. So he kept on hunting and showing 
 rare sport, which made his little pack more popular than ever. 
 His horses carried him better and he rode harder than ever, 
 so being wrapt up in sport heart and soul he never noticed 
 anything else. 
 
 Poor Fanny Brown ! She was a nice little girl, but had 
 unluckily imbibed romantic notions at a dangerous age and 
 fancied that every man must fall in love with her, which, 
 however harmless such fancy may be to girls less favourably 
 dowered, was a source of danger to her, rendering her liable 
 to become the prey of unscrupulous fortune-seekers, — but of 
 this anon. 
 
 Her pony-carriage was often seen out with the harriers 
 near old Brown's farm, which was about twelve miles from 
 their kennels. 
 
 John always had a joke or kind word ready for children, 
 and especially those belonging to his supporters, nor did he 
 notice as he grew older that they were doing the same ; so he 
 treated them all alike, big or little, with that good-natured 
 simplicity that is most easily imposed upon by the precocious 
 and unscrupulous youth of both sexes. He loved to see 
 
THE RULIXG PASSION — SEQUEL. 33 
 
 youngsters iu the saddle, for he argued that if they were only 
 properly entered they would grow up to carry on the best of 
 all sports as their elders drop off. Old Brown having only one 
 child, John had always been perhaps more attentive to her 
 than if she had been one amongst six. He had been the 
 first to put her on horseback while he was still a lad whipping- 
 in to his father's hounds, and she but a toddling child in 
 pinafores, twelve years ago, and he still treated her almost as 
 a child, till one day when his hounds met at her father's house 
 during his engagement with Mary Scott the manner in which 
 little Fanny Brown offered her congratulations would have 
 set any one else thinking, but poor John was, luckily for his 
 peace of mind, so ignorant of the ins and outs of love and 
 life that he accepted all in faith, and, if the truth were known, 
 so long as his hounds showed good sport on that particular 
 day it mattered little to him whether congTatulations on a 
 love affau' were genuine or not if scent served his darlings to 
 get blood, and this season again they were showing such 
 sport that he thought of nothing else. 
 
 In vain did Fanny don her best habit and ride old Patent 
 Safety, one of her father's favourite hunters, as he had rarely 
 been ridden before ; often she was alone in the same field with 
 the Master and Joe Wilson, who, remembering the fate of the 
 other girl, would smile quietly as he turned hounds when 
 necessary — for if they were at fault Master and man worked 
 so well together that only the cleverest would ever see that 
 hounds had ever thrown up. When once a man who has to 
 do with hounds, either as huntsman or whipper-in, begins to 
 take notice of outside matters it is all up with sport, and the 
 sooner he is drafted the better. It is only the most ignorant 
 amongst the field that expect those connected with hounds to 
 
 D 
 
34 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 pay attention to anything but their darlings when at work. 
 So poor little Fanny relaxed her efforts, though it was 
 with some reluctance, for he was quite a hero during this 
 season, and his name was in everybody's mouth all over 
 the country. During that year the Hares' and Babbits' 
 Bill had passed, so fur soon became so scarce, excepting in 
 strictly preserved ground, where they were too thick for sport, 
 that it was almost hopeless to go out hare-hunting ; but John 
 was equal to the occasion, for sooner than part with his 
 darlings he procured some red deer and a deer-cart which 
 made him quite independent. 
 
 Their first attempt at stag-hunting was not very successful, 
 for the little hounds did not understand being cheered to 
 hunt such big game, and still more were they astonished 
 when they ran up to a great animal that knocked them 
 about while he stood at bay, but after two or three days they 
 were well blooded and soon ran so well that even their 
 former season was eclipsed and their Master with his men in 
 scarlet coats were more popular even than when they wore 
 green. It was harder work, for they had longer distances to 
 travel. Often a deer took them twenty or thirty miles from 
 home, and John found his evenings at home shorter than 
 ever. 
 
 Fanny Brown did not care much for stag-hunting, hounds 
 went too fast and too far, and though the Master seemed 
 pleased enough to have her company during a long ride 
 home he would only jog along at that easy hounds' pace which 
 is so tiresome to those unused to it. In vain did she try to 
 force the pace, he only let her go on and jogged along quite 
 contentedly with his darlings as usual, so she gave up all hope 
 of captivating him, and soon rumours flew about that she 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 35 
 
 was engaged to be married to a fast young man, who had 
 come down from London wdth a small stud of hunters to 
 stay in the village near old Brown's farm. When John heard 
 of it he was sorry, for he really liked the little girl and by 
 all accounts her choice was not a wise one, which her parents 
 soon found out and set their faces against it. But Fanny was 
 a very self-willed young lady, and even their threat of 
 disinheritance did not prevent her from getting involved in a 
 regular engagement. John saw her no more out hunting, 
 but that troubled him not, for sport was so good that he had 
 time for nothing else, and he finished the season with a gi'eat 
 run that was the talk of the county through the summer. 
 
 When his horses went to Tattersall's that year tiiey made 
 more money than ever, and he had such a balance at his 
 banker's that he determined to improve his pack, and perhaps 
 hunt next season three days a week instead of two. He 
 soon bought a lot of good young horses and a few couples of 
 small staghounds from the best kennels, besides the puppies 
 that came in from walks, so he had forty couples in kennel. 
 In June there was the usual race-meeting on the county course, 
 and some of the young bachelors proposed a fancy-dress ball 
 in the Town Hall the same night, so John was named as a 
 steward and pledged to attend. He hated dancing though 
 Mary Scott had taken great pains to teach him, but he could 
 make himself useful as a steward and look after the card and 
 oyster rooms which he stipulated should be set apart for 
 those who, like himself, did not care for dancing. He was 
 not one to give himself much trouble or go to any unnecessary 
 expense for dress, but a new coat would be necessary for next 
 season, so he appeared in a brand-new scarlet, and as he did 
 not intend to dance he put on breeches, boots and spurs 
 
 D 2 
 
36 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 (without rowels), with even a new cap and whip in case 
 any one wanted it, for as he said a steward is bound to keep 
 order, and should be well prepared. 
 
 The race-meeting passed off well on a glorious June day, 
 and most of the stewards, who had ridden long distances and 
 been on horseback all day, dined together at the principal 
 hotel in the evening. After a good dinner and a quiet 
 smoke John enjoyed a cold tub before dressing for the ball, 
 so when he put on his easy-fitting hunting clothes, to which 
 he was most accustomed, and always liked best, for they 
 reminded him of his happiest hours, he felt fit as a fiddle 
 and ready for anything. If the truth were told he hardly 
 knew himself as he sauntered — almost swaggered — into the 
 ball-room, where many varied figures had begun to collect, 
 but he saw no one that he knew as yet, so his courage 
 gradually oozed out at his fingers ends, and even found its way 
 down to the toes of Bartley's masteri^ieces — which he could 
 not help confessing he would sooner put home in his stirrups 
 and go at the biggest, blackest uncertainty in the shape of a 
 rasper, than foot it in a dance with even the shyest debutante 
 on these boards. 
 
 Just as he was looking out for a friend or a bolt hole, a 
 white-gloved hand gently touched his arm and a familiar, 
 soft voice asked, " Why look so cross ? no one is riding over 
 your hounds." And he started almost guiltily on recognising 
 little Fanny, for did not she now belong nominally, if not 
 morally, to another, so whatever he might feel himself she 
 was none of his. So he answered coolly but kindly " Hulloa, 
 little one, how are you ? Am I looking cross ? Your smiling 
 face will soon cure that. How are your father and mother ? 
 I intend coming over to fetch my puppy at walk, and ask 
 

 li ^'. , 
 
 f 
 
 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 37 
 
 them to take another. You will look after it while you are 
 at home, but I suppose we shall lose you soon if all is true ? " 
 
 There was a quiver on her lip and tear in her eye as she 
 was going to turn away. A man who hunts hounds is 
 quicker in noticing trifles, and makes up his mind sooner 
 than ordinary folks, so John saw at once that she was in 
 trouble and it flashed through him, " poor little girl, she has 
 no brothers, and having offended her parents has no one to 
 go to for sympathy. I'm an old hulk thrown on one side, but 
 might be useful, so here goes." 
 
 " You are in trouble, little lady, come and sit down in 
 this corner and tell me all about it." 
 
 She looked up, smiling very roguishly through her tears, 
 for she had many varying humours, " No ! we must have a 
 dance first or people might talk about us." 
 
 " I dance ? " said John, " why I put on these boots so that 
 no one should expect me to go careering about." 
 
 "Well, we must," said she; "come along, I will show 
 you how." 
 
 It is bad enough to run across a ploughed field after a 
 runaway horse, while all around looks starry from the 
 effects of a cropper, but to run about even on slippery boards, 
 which are comparatively easy going, for pleasure, a very 
 little goes a long way, so our Master soon tired and did not 
 feel quite himself again till he had absorbed about a pint of 
 champagne-cup, while Fanny took an ice in the refreshment- 
 room. Then they found a secluded corner while more 
 energetic couples sorted themselves out for the next dance. 
 John's ears were pretty quick as his eyes were sharp, and as 
 he sat down to listen to Fanny's tale he overheard a young 
 couple passing remark : 
 
38 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 " He is soon off with the old love and on with a new ! " 
 
 " Yes," said the other, " and she is on with a new without 
 being ofif with the old." 
 
 Luckily Fanny did not hear these remarks or she could 
 not have told her troubles, which would have saved John 
 some though this little tale might never have been written. 
 
 During three consecutive dances, while others whirled round, 
 refreshed themselves and changed partners, did that young 
 couple sit in the same secluded spot, John forgot all about 
 the whist-tables and even the oyster-room which had been 
 placed under his superintendance, for he was sorely perplexed 
 by the girl's troubles. Her father threatened to disinherit 
 her, her mother was worse than furious, hardly ever speaking 
 to her, while the young man had considerably cooled down 
 from the ardour of first devotion, when he heard that her 
 fortune was only conditional on a satisfactory marriage, and 
 he was not the man so constituted. 
 
 Poor honest John, what could he do ! After listening to 
 the girl's tale wnth that quiet, sympathetic, almost caressing 
 manner peculiar to sportsmen, that begets confidence amongst 
 even the wildest or shyest of animals as well as human beings, 
 he felt his heart unusually softened ; and pity soon begets 
 love, especially when he himself still felt just a little ill-used 
 after his first love affair. He soon made up his mind how 
 to help her, while they had another dance just before supper 
 — to which he conducted her to a seat of honour at the 
 stewards' table, which caused some talk amongst the company, 
 by whom both were of course well known. After supper 
 their flirtation continued, and they seemed so devoted to 
 each other that Mrs. Brown hoped that all would yet be well 
 with her daughter, who seemed to have forgotten even the 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 89 
 
 existence of " that adventurer," as his would-be mother-in- 
 law called him. 
 
 Fanny's fancy-dress was covered with gorgeous butterflies, 
 so John begged one as a memento of the evening, and 
 before handing her to their carriage he promised to ride 
 over to call next day. That night, or rather morning, as he 
 rode home from the ball on Jack-of-all-trades he began 
 consulting his horse as usual. " "What shall we do, old chap, 
 when we get over to Hilsden Fields ? Poor little girl, we 
 must save her if possible, but how ? Shall 1 propose to her 
 myself and make her break off with that chap ? If she likes 
 to throw me over afterwards I shall be none the worse, for 
 eels get used to skinning, and she may still care enough for 
 me to make me a good wife, though I fear she is a bit too fast. 
 Anyhow I shall be doing a good turn to old Brown, who has 
 always been a rare good friend to me and a real sportsman 
 too," Jack-of-all-trades did not say nay, 
 
 John was always an early riser, no matter what time he 
 went to bed, which was seldom later than ten o'clock. This 
 morning he had only two hours between the sheets, but 
 refreshed by his tub, he was in the kennels soon after six. 
 He walked out his darlings in the dew-sprinkled meadows 
 and made a rare good breakfast before setting out on Jack- 
 of-all-trades to ride twelve miles in the cool of the morning 
 to Hilsden Fields. There he met Mr. Brown riding round 
 his farm on a thick-set cob followed by the puppy at walk, so 
 the two farmer- sportsmen were soon engrossed in congenial 
 conversation till the flutter of a pink dress, as they neared 
 the garden, reminded John that the object of his visit was 
 not altogether connected with sport and agriculture. Perhaps 
 John did not look so attractive in sober mufti as in scarlet, 
 
40 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 and this has some effect on young girls, but his reception by 
 Miss Fanny was not half so cordial as he expected, and 
 instead of offering himself as a sacrifice as he intended, he 
 chatted quietly with Mr. and Mrs. Brown till it was time to 
 return home. Then Fanny went out to see him mount, and 
 as he was leaving said, " Are you going to ride at the horse- 
 show here on Saturday ? " 
 
 " No," said he, " I have no horses fit to show, but I shall 
 ride over to see it." 
 
 " Will you take me with you ? " said she, with a meaning 
 look. 
 
 " Yes, Avith pleasure if you wish it." 
 
 Old Brown overheard this, and said, " You had better ride 
 over early and stay here over Sunday." To which his daughter 
 seemed to nod " yes." " So be it," said John as he rode away, 
 little knowing that Fanny was even then negotiating to 
 break off her first entanglement and that he was expected 
 to help. 
 
 On Saturday while riding together to the horse-show, John 
 noticed the girl change colour as a young man on foot stared 
 hard at him with a wicked look in his eye that would have 
 frightened one less bold, but he returned the stare with his 
 keen brown eyes and saw how the other turned away from 
 his penetrating look^ so he knew that he had little to fear 
 from that quarter. The horse-show and jumping per- 
 formances passed off without any mishap, while John 
 congratulated himself that he was there simply as a spec- 
 tator instead of taking part in them as usual, while he 
 amused his companion by commenting on the performers, 
 most of whom were known to both of them. As they rode 
 back to Hilsden Fields they were on very good terms with 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 41 
 
 each other, and he asked her who was the young man that 
 had looked at them so intently. The answer was as he 
 expected, nor did she seem to care much about her intended. 
 Next day after church they went for a long walk, and finding 
 a quiet corner in one of Mr. Brown's coverts sat down for 
 a talk. 
 
 Fanny admitted after some time that she did not care 
 enough for her intended to thwart her parents' wishes. In 
 fact he had been very disagreeable since he found that her 
 fortune was dependent on them ; but she did not see how she 
 could break off, for he would not let her while a hope re- 
 mained for him to secure her with her fortune. This was 
 just what John expected, so he proposed himself on the con- 
 dition that she should get her father's permission and break 
 off the other engagement. He would give her time to con- 
 sider and if she thought proper he would himself release 
 her afterwards. 
 
 As he rode home next day, promising to come over again 
 as soon as he heard from her, he thought it all over and 
 confided in Jack-of-all-trades, knowing that no exaggerated 
 tales Avould be started by the old horse. 
 
 " Well, we are in for it again, old horse, and may have a 
 good many journeys over this way through the summer, but 
 we must save that dear little girl if we can and you will 
 not grumble." In two days time he received a letter from 
 Fanny saying that she had broken off her first engagement 
 and was only waiting to receive him when he had spoken to 
 her father. 
 
 So Jack-of-all-trades jogged along once more, wondering 
 what made his rider so unusually anxious. Why did those 
 heels kick his ribs ? and why were sentences of nsultation 
 
42 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 SO short, instead of conlideiitial ? If horses really think and 
 communicate with one another — there is no doubt but what 
 thev do — old Jack-of-all -trades must have been entertaining 
 company to the inhabitants of old Brown's stables that day. 
 
 Fanny greeted John with great show of affection and told 
 him that she was free till he asked her father's permission 
 to claim her, so thus encouraged he went to his old friend 
 and soon arranged matters to their mutual satisfaction, so 
 once more John found himself bound for matrimony. 
 
 A twelve-mile trot on courting intent takes some doing, 
 especially when a man has other occupations, so he was very 
 glad when Fanny came to stay with an old aunt in the 
 ^illage near Ravensdale, where John could see her every day 
 without trouble, and their time passed pleasantly, riding and 
 driving about through the summer months. TMien she went 
 back home John rode over to Hilsden Fields and learnt that 
 she intended shortly leaWng on a ^-isit to the seaside. His 
 puppy had been taken with distemper just as it should have 
 been sent in from walk, so Mr. Brown kept it to nurse, for he 
 liked to walk a good puppy and send it in so as to do credit 
 to its walk. Fanny took a good deal of interest in this 
 puppy and begged to have the care of it, so John was more 
 than pleased. 
 
 " You must name it," said he one evening when it was 
 walking out with them, " and I shall always think of you 
 when I see her going to the Jfront, for by her shape and make 
 if she does not lead I shall be disappointed." 
 
 " I call her Agnostic," said Fanny. 
 
 " What a funny name, quite new in kennel books ! " said 
 John. " What does it mean ? " 
 
 " It means a new reUgion," she said. " I am an Agnostic." 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 43 
 
 " Oh, if it is anything to do with you it must be divine," said 
 he in good faith, " so I will enter her as Agnostic. I wonder 
 what Joe wdll make of it, ' Huich to Agnostic,' ' Ware Oss 
 Agnostic' It will teach him to roll his tongue about." On 
 his way home as he passed the foxhound kennels he met 
 the Master, who was one of his best friends. " Hulloa, John," 
 said the master of the foxhounds, " you seem to be often 
 riding about on this side of the countr}^. Courting again 
 are you ? " 
 
 " You know all about it," said John, " so stop chaff, and as 
 you went to college perhaps you can tell me what an agnostic 
 is. I have a hound called so." 
 
 The master of the foxhounds looked serious as he answered, 
 
 " Don't have anything to do with such a fraud. It means 
 a thing that believes in nothing and never speaks the truth 
 except by accident." 
 
 " Oh, lor ! " said John as he rode home, " I'm in for more 
 trouble, but I will bide my time and see how it turns out." 
 
 Fanny's aunt, who lived near Ravensdale, was one of John's 
 admirers, and glad enough to get such a match for her 
 niece, but when he went in to see her on the morning after 
 this conversation and told her of it she looked grave, as an}^ 
 one who hears that others whom she loves are getting 
 involved in unknown troubles, so she determined to talk 
 seriously to Fanny at the first opportunity. Unluckily the 
 young lady went away to the seaside while John was still 
 busy at home, nor did the few letters that she wrote give him 
 much encouragement to visit her, so he stayed at home, 
 going through his ordinary routine of duty till August, nor 
 did he make his usual tour to hunt on Exmoor that year, 
 hoping and expecting day by day to hear that Fanny would 
 
44 TALES FOE SPOETSMEX. 
 
 retum home, "when he would be ready to receive her. Her 
 letters were fewer and grew colder, while rumours reached 
 Eavensdale that Fanny's first love was still pressing his 
 claims in the hope that her parents might relent. 
 
 This riled John, for he looked upon himself as the pro- 
 tector of his old Mend Brown's interests if not his own, so 
 when Miss Fanny returned home he rode over the same day 
 to bid her welcome, and was received so coldly that most 
 lovers would have been disheartened. 
 
 On his way home he called on old Miss Brown and told 
 her all. She shook her head and muttered something about 
 'cross breeds, none such in our family before," ending up 
 with, " Take care, John, you are a good man and worthy a 
 better fate, but you will only get trouble in that quarter, 
 though I say it of my brother's child." 
 
 !Xext morning came a letter from Fanny wishing to break 
 off the engagement, so John trotted over to see Mr. Brown, 
 and placed the whole matter in his bands. The old man's 
 words were solemn. " As she makes her bed so must she 
 he on it. If she marries with my consent my fortune goes 
 to her, but if not I can find other means to dispose of it. 
 Have a talk to her, John, and hear what she has to say." 
 
 John talked long and earnestly, more perhaps like a father 
 than a lover, but all to no purpose. The girl would not listen, 
 and gave him such a decided answer that he rode home 
 once more freed from care or tanglement. What were his 
 feelings during his ride home ? They soon took practical 
 form for consolation. It was a soaking wet day after pro- 
 longed drought, so he stopped at the foxhound kennels to 
 know if they would go out cub-hunting. The master of the 
 foxhounds noticed nothing in John's appearance, for he 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 45 
 
 showed no sign of disappointment or sorrow, and the master 
 of the foxhounds was in high glee, for the rain gave him the 
 chance to hunt and he would go out next morning at five 
 o'clock. Would John ride over to help them ? Would he 
 not ? for he felt that the sight of hounds hunting would do 
 him good and his own could not begin for another fortnight 
 yet, so he rode home and said nothing to anybody. 
 
 Next morning he was at the covert-side before five, and 
 before hounds came a young farmer rode up with the news 
 that Fanny Brown had eloped with her first love soon after 
 John had left the previous afternoon. When the master of 
 the foxhounds arrived he had no thought for anything but 
 his hounds, nor did he notice John till they had killed a cub, 
 that John had hulloaed aw'ay and ridden like a demon over 
 the blindest fences where no one dared fullow, so he held up 
 the dead cub alone, and those who knew him best noticed a 
 wild look about his eye, and lips drawn tight instead of his 
 usual smile. 
 
 " HuUoa, John, w^hat's the matter ? " said the master of the 
 foxhounds as he took the carcase from him to blood the 
 young ones. John's answer did not convey all that he felt 
 but was characteristic, showing that he wished to conceal his 
 real feelings. 
 
 " Why I've lost fifty thousand pounds without doing good 
 to any one. Who-whoop I blood your hounds, never mind 
 about me ! " 
 
 For a few days he was as savage as a bear, and nothing 
 seemed to go right. His young hounds having had dis- 
 temper so badly they were not judged at the puppy show 
 till late in the summer, and the judges gave the prize to 
 Agnostic, so he sent the cup over to Mr. Brown. 
 
46 TALES FOR SPORTSMEX. 
 
 When they began hunting she gave a lot of trouble; always 
 running riot, but he gave her every chance and at last 
 thought that she would make a good hound. They had 
 capital sport up to Christmas, when hard frost and snow set 
 in, so they did not hunt for nearly a month. 
 
 Then they had some rare runs and no one enjoyed them 
 better than the Master. 
 
 One day they had a very long run and scent failed 
 suddenly with a beaten deer. Horses were tired and hounds 
 hunted inch by inch. Twice Agnostic led them wrong, while 
 the whips galloped their weary horses to put them right. 
 The third time was in a covert, she threw her tongue and 
 looked up in the Master's face so confidently that he gave 
 her a cheer so the rest flew to head, only to throw up in 
 disgust, and his quick eye pricked a hare instead of the slot 
 of his deer. In a fit of justifiable passion he jumped off his 
 horse, and hit Agnostic on the head with his hammer-headed 
 whip, telling Joe to hang her on a keeper's tree that was 
 handy. As he trotted off to make good his cast he said 
 bitterly, " So should all liars be treated, and there would be 
 less trouble in the world." 
 
 On their way home as they passed the wood Joe rode up 
 alongside his Master, 
 
 " That butt end of yours, sir, has saved a lot of our 
 whipcord. I was never so pleased to put a hound out of 
 the way before, and it was quite right not to wait till 
 we got home." 
 
 " Yes," said the Master, " I might have let her off as I 
 have done so often on account of her good looks but I 
 could not stand such a lie, and we should never have 
 taken the deer, but you had better go and bury her. There 
 
THE RULING PASSION — SEQUEL. 47 
 
 is an old saw-pit close by which will do, then jog on 
 after us." 
 
 That hunting season ended well as it began, and they 
 finished with a great run from Hilsden Fields nearly to the 
 sea, twenty miles off. Amongst the field were Mr. Brown, 
 and a favourite niece, Nellie Brown (one of a large family), 
 who had come to live with her uncle and aunt. The old 
 gentleman did not get to the finish but she did with only 
 three others besides the Master and his men. On their way 
 home she accompanied them, a pleasant, (|uiet girl about 
 twenty years of age, and it was a regular case of love at 
 first sight. With John's horse tired, she insisted on giving 
 him hers, while she jogged along, a much lighter weight, on 
 his, so the whips, with their weary nags, were not near enough 
 to disturb the conversation. Of course she knew all about 
 John and how he had been treated by her cousin, wondering 
 at the same time how Fanny could have been so foolish, not 
 to say wicked. She would like to have the chance to marry 
 such a man. John's thoughts too, as he jogged along 
 amongst his darlings, were not altogether about them though 
 he saw with pride that they trotted gaily along with sterns 
 up as if setting out instead of returning from a severe run. 
 Then he turned his clear eyes on his companion, noticing 
 how lightly she played with her horse's mouth, just letting 
 him feel that he had a rider on his back in case he needed 
 assistance, for he was sadly tired. He saw too that she had 
 a pretty figure, set off to best advantage by a well-fitting 
 habit, and her fair hair was neatly braided under a low round 
 hat, the perfection of neatness and simplicity. Then their 
 eyes met, and though a soft blush rose to her face she did 
 
48 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 not avert her pretty blue eyes but returned his look with 
 one of modest confidence. 
 
 " At last," thought John, " I have found true happiness," nor 
 did he throw away the chance. Before they reached Hilsden 
 Fields they were betrothed, and John did what he had 
 never done before in his life. He sent his men home with 
 the hounds and stayed the night with old Brown, who was 
 really pleased to get John as a relation, so was old Miss 
 Brown, on whom he called as he rode home next morning. 
 
 Old Brown was very liberal in the matter of marriage 
 settlements and they were married early in June. The 
 members and followers of the Eavensdale Staghounds pre- 
 sented their Master with a wedding present for which they 
 subscribed £1,000. His men gave him a silver horn and 
 hammer-headed whij) of the same metal, both of which he 
 carried on their opening day in November, when a large 
 field met him at the kennels. Mrs. John Hardacre made a 
 charming hostess, and seemed never happier than when 
 furthering the interests of sport, and after her husband her 
 chief pride was the Raven sdale pack. 
 
SHALL I? 
 
SHALL I? 
 
 \ ^^^^''^^v. at for a tale ! " most 
 
 \ '^^^^''^>^>^^^i^^'^^^ B M readers will re- 
 
 mark; and if it 
 was a book that 
 had to be written, 
 no doubt some ex- 
 planation would 
 be given in an elaborate preface why such was chosen, but 
 in a short story it need only be said of these two simple 
 words of interrogation "Shall I?" if any one gets into the 
 habit of reflecting for the second or two while he repeats 
 them to himself, he will keep out of a lot of trouble into 
 which undue haste might precipitate others less cautious. 
 Prudence does not mean deficiency of pluck, for how often 
 quiet perseverance shows to the front when exuberant dash 
 has dwindled away, and the steady interrogator " Shall I ? " 
 goes by him that has been all " I will." 
 
 " Poor old Tom," there he sat in a wagonnette with his 
 wife and large small family behind him, on Monday, the 1st 
 of November, 18 — , when the Horsemanshire Hounds met at 
 
 E 
 
52 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 Selby Gate for their opening day. There was a hunting look 
 about the game old brown horse in the shafts, and well there 
 might be, for was it not poor old Harkaway ? the sole 
 remnant of as good a stud of weight-carriers as ever welter, 
 crossed. A bandage on the near fore-leg told that it was not 
 to be trusted, and thereby hangs a tale to be noted further 
 on. There was a look of sorrow, perhaps, when the keen eye 
 of his driver looked over the pack as they walked by, but that 
 eye, practised as it was, could detect no fault either in hounds 
 or horses, on which the servants of this crack pack were 
 mounted ; for he would follow them no more, and those who 
 rode up to greet him noticed with sorrow that he had grown 
 a beard, so they knew that his hunting days were over, for 
 had he not always said that " Hunting was the only thing 
 worth the trouble of shaving for," and now he had given it 
 up. Poor old Tom ! We had been at school and college 
 together, both of us came into comfortable competences, and 
 lived together for some years after like brothers, though not 
 related. Till the day he married we were inseparable. In 
 the winter we hunted from our snug little box in Horseman- 
 shire, and no two men had more comfortable quarters or kept 
 a better stud. We had six hunters each, and a joint-stock 
 Qui-tamer that went in the brougham or dog-cart, hacked 
 and carried us or our friends with hounds when wanted, 
 doing about three times the work of any other, and always 
 fit to go. Sometimes he lasted, and sometimes went to 
 pieces, but never cost us much, for we used to pick up 
 Qui-tamer out of the cheap lots at Tattersall's, robbing the 
 cabbies of their legitimate prey, for no matter if Qui-tamer 
 had a temper, or any little infirmity, he was bound to go, 
 and so long as he had four good legs hard work kept him in 
 
SHALL 1 ? 53 
 
 order, for he had no time for mischief. In the summer- 
 time, when we summered our hunters at home, and bought 
 elaborate hacks to ride in the Kow, and Polo ponies for the 
 game of which we were fond, Qui-tamer drew the brougham 
 about at nights, and by way of rest at the end of the 
 week towed our barge up and down the river as fancy 
 moved us. 
 
 Those were merry days, and our life together was one 
 round of pleasure ; till one day Tom fell in love with, as he 
 said, the jolliest girl in creation ! He said this almost 
 apologetically to such an old friend, for we had almost sworn 
 to live and die together ; but the day of reckoning must come 
 some time, and though so far the self-interrogatory " Shall 
 I ? " had kept us out of many dilemmas, for every man falls 
 in love naturally during the summer months, when there is 
 nothing else to do, but the golden rule " Shall I ? " just at 
 the critical moment, when the fair syren had perhaps hooked 
 us in a corner with mamma watching, had averted danger, 
 till Tom succumbed. They had been spooning about 
 together all through the hunting season, but it v.'as a 
 bright warm June day on the river that did the mischief, 
 when we had been to a picnic on the barge, and, to his 
 honour be it known, that Tom came at once to tell his old 
 friend, but added insult to injury by recommending the same 
 course at the first opportunity. Well it was to put a good 
 face on it, and offer the first congratulations, as an old friend 
 to the young lady, who certainly was a clipper, but it is 
 dreadful to lose one like a brother, as is always the case by 
 marriage, for he can never be the same after ; though it was 
 hard lines on Qui-tamer for wrath to be expended on him in 
 showei"S of stones thrown from the bow to make him walk 
 
54 TALES FOll SPOETSMEN. 
 
 faster and get liome, for lie had done nothing wrong except 
 mutely helping to tow those young people together. 
 
 Once he had made up his mind, never was mortal man in 
 such a hurry to get married. The 1st of July was fixed, and 
 he wanted so much assistance in the way of house-hunting 
 and buying furniture, that we had a very busy time, and, 
 needless to say, he did not bear the brunt of the hard work, 
 for was not she wanting his attendance ? So it was always, 
 " I say, old fellow, you won't mind going down to look at such 
 and such a house, just to see if it will do for us ? " Luckily, 
 a nice little house, with a few acres of grass-land round it, 
 fell vacant in Horsemanshire, only about five miles from our 
 snug hunting-box, so that was the very thing. It did not 
 require much doing to it, so they could marry at once, go 
 away on their honeymoon, and meanwhile it would relieve 
 my sorrowful dulness to get the furniture in, and have it all 
 comfortable for them on their return. 
 
 It was a merry wedding as weddings go, and of course 
 Tom would not trust any one but his oldest friend to lead 
 him to the altar, and hold his head if necessary. Tom's 
 speech at the breakfast was much as usual on these 
 occasions, for with all his good qualities he lacked 
 originality, and kept to old lines. Of course he recom- 
 mended all his friends to follow his example, but did not 
 the fox do the same when he lost his brush ? and Tom was 
 rather disconcerted by a wink, for there was nothing 
 especially attractive about the bridesmaids, and when it 
 is said they were a level lot, that is all, so there was no 
 temptation to reflect " Shall I ? " on this occasion. How- 
 ever, as a great authority says, " Words were given to us to 
 conceal our thoughts," so the best man had to follow in 
 
SHALL I? 55 
 
 much the same strain, and no one could guess at the real 
 state of his feelings, which were something like this " Shall 
 I ? No ! wait a bit to see how Tom gets on, there is 
 plenty of time yet, and after all it may not be very dull 
 living alone ; at all events it is worth trying." Tom's 
 pleasant companionship would be a great loss, and there 
 was no other friend amongst a large acquaintance to take 
 his place in the hunting-box. 
 
 During his honeymoon he wrote several times, evidently 
 in a state of the highest happiness, of course ; wanting to 
 know how everything was getting on at Dale Lodge, his new 
 place, which was becoming quite an elysium for the young 
 couple on their return. Had it not been for the occupation 
 of arranging that house, goodness knows what would have 
 become of me, for it was dull indeed at first without Tom 
 His only instructions were to spare no expense in decorating 
 and furnishing ; get the stables in order, and move his stud 
 in as soon as possible. The stables were all right after being 
 painted, four boxes and four stalls, which just held Tom's 
 six hunters and his wife's two, that her father gave her for a 
 wedding present. They bought a wagonette with a movable 
 cover, and shafts and pole for one or a pair, in which Tom 
 proposed to drive his hunters when necessary, but they 
 would more often use the dog-cart, with perhaps a tandem. 
 Up till now we had always shared stable expenses equally, all 
 except buying or selling hunters, but profit or loss in Qui- 
 tamer was mutual, and one stud-groom looked after the lot. 
 Tom had neither room nor work for a Qui-tamer, so mag- 
 nanimously gave up his share, and Jem Perks, our stud-groom, 
 a quaint dry file, who had lived with us for some years, and 
 thoroughly understood his duties, elected to stay on at the 
 
56 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 hunting-box when we gave him his choice, for he said that 
 was a certainty, whereas the other place was an uncertainty, 
 and showed his sense as subsequent events proved. So Bob 
 Short, our second groom, went to Dale Lodge and took charge 
 of the stud with three helpers, while Jem Perks engaged 
 others in their places, for he soon made good stablemen out 
 of raw material, and was second to none in the art of con- 
 ditioning hunters. Tom and his wife came home just before 
 the hunting season commenced, and were dehghted with 
 their new abode. Never did a prouder or happier young 
 couple set out to meet hounds on the opening day in 
 November, and it was worth going any distance to see 
 Tom, always the pink of perfection, on his favourite 
 Harkaway, then six years old, able to hold their own with 
 the best of us ; but Tom's look of admiration at his wife, as 
 she sat gracefully on her thoroughbred bay mare, set many 
 of us envying his good fortune, and "Shall I ? " when a shrill 
 " Tally-ho-Away ! " set blood coursing and thoughts flying 
 in another direction, and for the next forty minutes 
 our delight was concentrated in those dappled darlings, 
 and our sole ambition to maintain pride of place. WTien 
 the glad " who-whoop ! " rang out clear and loud, Tom for 
 once was not there to hear it. There had been no time 
 for looking about even after nearest and dearest friends, but 
 rumour said some mishap to Tom's wife was the cause ; it 
 must have been slight, for they came up before hounds 
 moved away, and of course we said nothing. It was 
 generally noticed that Tom was not in his old form, till 
 just before Christmas Bob Short was seen on Harkaway at 
 the meet, and it looked more like old times. " Holloa, Bob, 
 master sent on ? " " Yes, sir, he's ridincr one of the hacks, so 
 
SHALL I ? 57 
 
 I shall have to go straight home. I never see hounds now, 
 sir." This was said regretfully, for he was a good second 
 horseman, and had seen a lot of hunting with Tom in former 
 days. He was very fond of his good Master now, and was 
 ready with his hunter to be mounted the moment he 
 appeared on one of his wife's horses. 
 
 " Morning, Tom ; missis not met with an accident, 1 
 hope ? " 
 
 " Oh, no ! she will drive to the meet to-morrow, but did 
 not like the look of the weather this morning." Sure 
 enough they appeared next day in the wagonette ; Tom 
 driving his wife's two hunters for exercise, as he said, and 
 she seemed quite content to sit behind them. 
 
 There was a lot of frost that winter, and the long evenings 
 were dull enough at home, and in catchy weather it did not 
 do to be always running up to town, for that might lose a 
 day's hunting, so Qui-tamer, shod with india-rubber, had 
 plenty of running backwards and forwards between Dale 
 Lodge, sometimes ridden, but more often driven, and in a 
 sleigh, which was good fun when snow allowed its use, for he 
 hated the bells, and could gallop like blazes when he bolted, 
 which was a common occurrence. Tom was never allowed to 
 risk his neck in the sleigh, so was quite dependent on my 
 visits for amusement and getting all the outside news. Not 
 that he ever grumbled or complained, but one who knew 
 him so well could notice that he was not quite so cheery as 
 formerly, and one day when he was alone in his study, having 
 found out that Harkaway had a doubtful leg, since that 
 time when he first rode him hard, he seemed downright 
 cross, and was casting up his banker's book with quite an 
 anxious face. 
 
58 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 The hard winter kept everything backward, and prolonged 
 the hunting season till nearly the end of April, but the best 
 of all things must come to an end, and even on the grass it 
 was getting hard and dry, when the Master sent out his cards 
 for " Selby Gate," always the first and last day's meet, so we 
 knew that the end had really come. Selby Gate was five 
 miles beyond Dale Lodge from here, so two horses were sent 
 on, and Qui-tamer could gallop the ten easily within the hour 
 if necessary, but Tom, who had seemed unusually erratic 
 lately, was determined to enjoy himself on the last day, so 
 Bob Short was to take on his best hunter, and he himself 
 would ride Harkaway to covert as first horse. His last 
 words the evening before were, "Come in good time, old 
 fellow, for Harkaway has a leg ! and I value him more 
 than you do Qui-tamer, but we will ride on together as 
 in old times." 
 
 Anything to oblige a dear old friend ; so next morning 
 breakfast was half an hour earlier, and Qui-tamer cantered 
 over the familiar route to Dale Lodge. The open gate and 
 hoof-marks showed that the hunter had gone on ; but what 
 meant that rapid clatter of horse's feet down the carriage 
 drive ! Had Tom caught sight of my scarlet coat, and 
 determined to be ready at the gate ? No, not likely, for he 
 would never let any one pass ^without calling. By Jove ! it 
 was Harkaway 'ridden by a stable-helper in shirt sleeves. 
 Hunting-saddle, breast-plate, flask-case, all complete, ready 
 for the field. Had he stolen the horse, or what was the 
 matter? All the helper said, as he galloped out, was 
 " Missus ! doctor ! " 
 
 " Oh, lor ! it is four miles along the hard road to the 
 village, and with that leg how will he get there, and what 
 

 
 ^-y\^ ' 
 
 
 
 s i.'-h^>:'i 
 
 
SHALL I? 59 
 
 will the horse be worth when he gets hack?" Poor Tom, 
 too, to lose the last day of the season. He was best left alone, 
 for no good could have been done by calling then, and the 
 sight of a scarlet coat might have had the same effect as on a 
 bull under the trying circumstances. At the meet it was 
 only right to tell Bob Short that he was not likely to be 
 wanted, and had better go home soon, if his master did not 
 come out. We had a glorious run that day, and on the way 
 home it was only friendly to call at Dale Lodge, where Tom 
 was strutting about proud as a peacock, with new dignity as 
 a happy father of a son and heir, and even Harkaway's break- 
 down did not affect his spirits. " You must be godfather, 
 old fellow, and we will teach the young idea how to ride, soon 
 as he can grip a horse." Poor old Tom ! he little knew what 
 was in store for him during the next nine years. Nearly 
 every year his wife presented him with another, and it must 
 have been hard work to find godfathers and godmothers for 
 them all. Gradually, as his family increased, the stud 
 diminished, till now we see him at Selby Gate, ten years 
 after his marriage, with a family of eight, four of them in the 
 wagonette drawn by poor old Harkaway, that had broken 
 down on that fatal day, and been in harness ever since. 
 Now he seemed wearing out, so it was only charity to give 
 Tom the Qui-tamer to take his place, and easy enough to 
 pick up another. 
 
 These ten years had been happy enough for me, what with 
 hunting all the winter, and the usual round of pleasure 
 through the .summer, but now between the age of thirty and 
 forty something seemed wanting. " Shall I ? " was not 
 answered so promptly as formerly, even with Tom's example 
 as a caution, and after all he seemed happy enough, except when 
 
60 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 he found himself amongst us fellows with no home ties, then 
 he sometimes seemed to yearn for the old free life. After 
 giving him the Qui-tamer it was necessary to look out for 
 another, and the first frost gave an opportunity to run up to 
 Tattersall's. " No. 42, a chestnut gelding, has been ridden 
 and driven" looked likely, but there was a cord stretched 
 behind his stall, and " Dangerous " written up, rather unusual, 
 so he had no admirers, notwithstanding his splendid shape. 
 Dark chestnut, about fifteen hands high, nice short back, 
 long and low, wonderful shoulders, rare clean flat legs, and 
 intelligent head, but a wicked look about the eyes, as if he 
 had been accustomed to be master. A telegram brought 
 Jem Perks up on Monday morning, and he decided to try 
 Avhat could be done, so when the horse came up one bid of 
 twenty guineas bought him. We had a lot of trouble when 
 he first came home, but patience and perseverance worked 
 wonders ; and once mastered he turned out the best Qui- 
 tamer of the lot. No day was ever too long for him, hard 
 ground or deep never made his legs fill, and he was rarely 
 in the stable, for he did the work of six. A bad fall that 
 season laid me up for some time, quite a novel experience ; 
 but Tom and his vdfe were most kind, driving over every 
 day with some of the children to amuse the invalid, and Tom 
 rode my horses, so brought home accounts of all that hounds 
 did. Before the season ended, the doctor gave leave for a 
 few days' hunting, and it was a treat to be in the saddle 
 again, but he advised rest and quiet during the summer, and 
 all would be well by next season. No polo, no London gaiety ; 
 so time would have been dull if a very pretty, easy-going little 
 hack had not been found; she was a thoroughbred mare, 
 gentle as a lamb, and just perfect. Qui tamer, too, came in 
 
SHALL I? 61 
 
 most useful, both in the dog-cart and to ride, and it was jolly 
 to saunter about the country, where every field, lane, and 
 wood was familiar. One hot June day the little mare's head 
 was turned towards Dale Lodge, but the usual signal, crack- 
 ing a whip in the carriage drive brought no response. The 
 family was evidently out ; hard lines to go without a cool 
 drink on such a hot morning ; where can they be ? when a 
 face, and such a face ! appeared at the morning-room window. 
 A fresh young face, such as one would expect a fairy to be 
 like, half shy, half smiling, and, yes, in those bright sparkling 
 eyes was a look of amused recognition. 
 
 " Good morning, Mr. Selim, (how did she know my 
 name ?) Tom has gone out, but will not be long gone, and 
 he left me the keys in case any one called. Will you take 
 anything while you wait for him, for I know he wants to see 
 you." This was said shyly, but with true feminine instinct ; 
 she saw her advantage, so I could only stammer — 
 
 "You are very kind, so is Tom, but really you have 
 the advantage over me ; perhaps Tom told you I might 
 call ? " 
 
 "No, but we have met before," said she, laughing now, 
 " and the last time you took a liberty and kissed me." 
 
 " By Jove ! I should like to now," thought I, but could not 
 remember how or when such a pleasant event had happened, 
 and my looks must have expressed my thought, for she said, 
 with perhaps a tinge of disappointment — 
 
 " Just like you men, you kiss and you ride away. Do you 
 remember five years ago stopping to pick up a little girl 
 fallen with her pony in a ditch, and you lost a run through it, 
 and looked very cross, though you kissed me and told me not 
 to cry, and you were good to my poor pony, and helped him 
 
62 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 out of the ditch, till papa came and took me home, but you 
 would not come with him, though it was close by and he 
 asked you ? I have often seen you across our place since, and 
 the last time you were leading the field on a brown horse 
 that none of them could catch." 
 
 Then the whole scene came vividly before me. 
 
 " Well, my dear young lady, you must remember that five 
 years make much more difference in you from the little girl 
 that I dared to kiss, for you did cry so, to what it does in a 
 man getting old." 
 
 Luckily Tom and his wife came in, so a formal introduction 
 put matters on a better footing. Miss Gertrude Westonning 
 was a cousin of Tom's wife. After leaving school she had 
 gone abroad to finish her education till the age of nineteen, 
 so that was why we had never met. Pretty was not the word 
 to express her looks, and she sang divinely. Was she still 
 fond of riding ? She loved it, and certainly showed to advan- 
 tage on my little mare. " Shall I ? " Qui-tamer must have 
 got tired of always hearing this question on the road home, 
 for he took proceedings himself to bring matters to a climax. 
 It was a broiling hot day in July, too hot to take a young 
 girl out riding, so the mare was left at home, and Qui-tamer 
 jogged over alone. 
 
 Tom's tennis-ground was in a meadow near the road, and 
 nearing it, merry voices were heard, and Tom was seen with 
 a great cup to his lips, evidently enjoying himself, for the ice 
 clicked as it was inverted. 
 
 " Good health, Tom ; leave a little." 
 
 " Come quick, then," said he, " or it will be absorbed ; " and 
 it seemed so. There was a low stile from the road into the 
 meadow, and Qui-tamer was a good timber-jumper, but he 
 

 '. f^;,0jmxi 
 
 fit 
 
 
did not reckon for the hard slippery ground, so down Ave 
 came together like a shot rabbit ! 
 
 A dull thud and a shrill scream, which sounded almost 
 musical, then all was darkness for a time till a confused 
 feeling of comforting soft hands, cool liquid on my burning 
 head, and sweet scent of eau de Cologne made me open my 
 eyes to see the most charming sight that ever man beheld. 
 We were alone, while Qui-tamer stood cropping the dry 
 grass close by. The look from those loving, tearful eyes that 
 met mine put life into me again. ''Shall I ? " By Jove I 
 did ; nor did I let her go till she had promised to be my wife, 
 extracting a counter-promise that I should never again risk 
 my neck, but hunt quietly and enjoy myself with her. 
 
 When Tom came back with an improvised stretcher, that 
 he had been to fetch with a helper, while his wife rushed off 
 to prepare a bed, there was an odd twinkle about his eyes as if 
 he had scored, and his first remark when he saw me get up 
 was — 
 
 " I thought if Gertrude could not bring you round you 
 would require this to be carried on, but I am very glad to see 
 you are all right, and when you have had your drink that you 
 were in such a hurry for, you will perhaps be better." 
 
 I squeezed his hand, and they helped me in-doors where I 
 stayed for a few days under the best nursing, and, as the 
 truth got abroad, receiving the congratulations of all kind 
 friends. 
 
 We were married quietly, and our honeymoon passed 
 pleasantly till the hunting season commenced. Then we 
 came back to the hunting-box — enlarged and improved — with 
 the stud just as it was ; so we have enjoyed the season ; and 
 now that an event is expected, it is Qui-tamer that stands 
 
64 
 
 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 saddled half the day and night with his head where his tail 
 should be, ready to gallop at a moment's notice, for his hard, 
 seasoned legs will not break down on the stoniest road, and 
 so long as our stud is complete, we have no wish to emulate 
 Tom and his wife in any way, while our chief pride is 
 that there is no happier or more devoted couple living than 
 ourselves. 
 
THE BITER BIT. 
 
THE BITER BIT. 
 
 HANK goodness, the 
 county is rid of the old 
 blackguard at last; he's 
 gone back to cockney- 
 dom, and will find the 
 backyard of his London 
 house quite wide enough 
 for him — a narrow- 
 minded old humbug." 
 
 The speaker was 
 young Tom Reynolds, 
 one of the hardest rid- 
 ing, j oiliest young farmers 
 in Gorsefordshire, and we were standing together in the Corn 
 Exchange at Gorseford one market day a few years ago. 
 
 " It was not the fault of his neighbours that he did not go 
 long ago," said I. " Whatever brought him down to live in 
 a hunting country, goodness only knows." 
 
 The subject of our remarks was an old retired tradesman, 
 whom we may as well call Snooks. He had made a lot of 
 money in London, and was getting on in years, so left his 
 business to his sons to manage, keeping an interest as a 
 sleeping partner, however ; while he bought a place in the 
 
 F 2 
 
68 TALES FOR SPORTSMEX. 
 
 country to enjoy his otium cum dignitate, or " dig a tate," as 
 old Jorrocks has it. 
 
 Glastonbury Grange, with one hundred acres of park-like 
 and arable land, and shooting to be had over five hundred 
 more, two packs of foxhounds, a pack of staghounds and 
 harriers, giving opportunities of hunting every day in the 
 week, &c., &c., was advertised for sale down in Gorseford- 
 shire, and Mr. Snooks was the purchaser. 
 
 Money will do a great deal. Mr. Snooks, though a rank 
 old Radical at heart, settled down quietly enough as a 
 country gentleman. Neighbours called on him, he gave 
 good dinners, and through the summer (he had come into 
 possession in the spring) all agreed that, though not very 
 sure of his h's, he was not a bad sort for a Londoner, and it 
 was hoped he might prove a pleasant neighbour. 
 
 When shooting began he was a great man. Though no 
 shot himself, it was very pleasant to ask his old pals down 
 from town with great dclat to have a day's shooting at " my 
 place." But somehow it eked out that he was not over 
 kind to the foxes. The Master of the Foxhounds called on 
 him, and when cub-hunting began the hounds went, as 
 usual, to draw his coverts. They did not do quite so well 
 as usual, much to the disgust of Tom Reynolds, his next 
 neighbour, who, of course, was a staunch supporter of the 
 hunt. Mr. Snooks ventured out on a quiet cob, but riding 
 made him sore and did not suit him, so, having heard a few 
 home truths from Tom, who was out schooling a young one, 
 he set his back up, and would have no more of it. Not that 
 he dared show open enmity to hunting, living as he did in 
 the heart of one of the most sport-loving counties in 
 England; but he determined at the first favourable oppor- 
 
THE BITER BIT. 69 
 
 tunity to have a row. Hounds were never invited to 
 Glastonbury, which had always been a favourite meet, but 
 as foxes became more and more scarce the Master of the 
 Foxhounds did not care to go there, and as Tom Eeynolds 
 could do nothing to mend matters he was at his wits' end. 
 
 Though, of course, every one cut the old blackguard he 
 seemed to have a thick hide, and so long as they did not 
 ride over his land, of which he became very particular, he 
 cared little for his neighbours. The staghounds having 
 their game always at hand were independent of him, and as 
 foxes were scarce in his parts stag-hunting became more 
 popular, and many were the good runs enjoyed by its 
 followers. Tom Reynolds was delighted, and gave them a 
 meet whenever they could come there, and as his j)lace 
 joined old Snooks's he gave him a benefit. 
 
 Finding that his complaints to the neighbours were of no 
 avail, for of course they only laughed at him, he determined 
 to chance a row and try to stop them, so, though he dared 
 not go so far as to serve notices, he gave orders to his 
 labourers and people that whenever they saw the hunters 
 coming they were to warn them off his land, and, moreover, 
 if any one persisted in coming after such warning they 
 might take other means, hinting that he would jDrotect them 
 in case of assault. 
 
 It was not long before the opportunity came. Though 
 turned out ten miles off a deer happened to come that way, 
 and went straight across old Snooks's, without being noticed 
 by two labourers at work in a field. Hounds came along at 
 a good pace, so the leading men with them had jumped into 
 the field before the labourers were aware of it; but they 
 immediately rushed to the gap, armed with their tools, to 
 
70 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 obey their master's orders. The Master of the Staghounds 
 one of the most popular men in the county, with his hunts- 
 man and whips, and a few others in the first flight, went 
 sailing along, without knowing what the labourers meant by 
 their gesticulations, for such antics were unknown in Gorse- 
 fordshire ; but the pace had been severe, and the distance 
 had told on the field, which showed a considerable tail. 
 Amongst them happened to be Tom Reynolds, riding a raw 
 brute that had lost him a lot of time at his fences, so his 
 disgust may be better imagined than described when he 
 found out the meaning of the sudden stoppage between his 
 own farm and Snooks's. 
 
 " What's the meaning of this, Giles ? " said he to one of 
 the men who had formerly worked for him, but was better 
 paid by Snooks, who courted popularity in that way. 
 " Master's orders, sir ; no one to cross his land." 
 " All right, gentlemen," says Tom ; " don't let us have a 
 row. Come this way round my place. I'll settle with the 
 old rip after hunting." 
 
 But a rough rider, who heard nothing, had meanwhile 
 chosen a fresh place, and got safely over lower down the 
 fence, followed by a well-mounted young stranger, who had 
 been going remarkably well ; but his horse being done, the 
 fence was too big for him, and down he came a crasher. 
 Every one else having gone on, he fell an easy prey to the 
 labourers, who marched him off in triumph to the house, 
 thinking, no doubt, to get a great reward from their master 
 for their zeal and cuteness in taking a prisoner. Being 
 hurt and shaken, and his horse dead beat, he gave them 
 little trouble; while, if the truth were known, he was not 
 sorry to have an excuse for being out of the hunt. 
 

 :--X^Sa?^«^ 
 
THE BITER BIT. 7l 
 
 Old Snooks had seen the hunt go by from his study 
 window, fretting and fuming until he saw his men capture 
 their prisoner, and seeing them bring him towards the 
 house, he settled himself in his chair, determined to give 
 such a caution, and make it so unpleasant a prospect for 
 hunting men in future, that he would no longer be subjected 
 to such annoyance, as he expressed it. When a man is in 
 the wrong he never dares look another in the face, so the 
 old beggar had his back to the door when the prisoner 
 was brought in. Making the excuse to be busy writing, 
 he appeared disturbed by their intrusion, and demanded 
 the cause. 
 
 "Please, sir, the stag'ounds have been across, and, though 
 we warned 'em, this gent would foller, so we took 'im up, as 
 you told us." 
 
 " If he came after you gave notice you should 'ave taken 
 im before the nearest magistrate, not come bothering me," 
 said old Snooks, without looking up, till something made 
 
 him turn, and he caught sight of his victim ; " and , 
 
 what made you take him ? " said he, seeing that it was one 
 of his largest customers, and the mainstay of the business 
 
 in London. " Why the did not you collar one of the 
 
 others, you ? " continued he, quite forgetting that he 
 
 was a country gentleman. 
 
 " So, Mr. Snooks, these men have acted according to your 
 orders ? " said the young fellow, quietly. " I heard that you 
 had set up as a country gentleman, but am more than sur- 
 prised to see the manner in which you carry out the role. 
 Hunting is one of the few amusements which is within 
 reach of all of us, high, low, rich, and poor. Even cockneys 
 can particijDate in the enjoyment of the chase ; but as we 
 
72 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 must be as careful of our reputation in the hunting-field 
 as in business, where we are obliged to keep up our credit, 
 you will not be surprised if, after being taken into custody 
 in the field by your orders, I cease to have any further 
 business with the house which bears your name in town." 
 
 No apology that the old beggar could offer would alter 
 matters, and it is said that an account of ten thousand a 
 year was transferred to another house ; but that would have 
 had little to do with affairs in Gorsefordshire had not the 
 story oozed out. No man can stand ridicule for long, and 
 old Snooks soon got tired of being perpetually laughed at, 
 so took himself back to town. Glastonbury was sold to a 
 rare good sportsman, and has quite retrieved its former 
 prestige as a favourite meet for foxhounds, staghounds, and 
 harriers, and Tom Reynolds is one of the happiest farmers 
 in England in spite of bad times. 
 
WITH EOYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879. 
 
WITH ROYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879. 
 
 VER since I first 
 began to follow 
 hounds on a 
 pony years ago, 
 the accounts in 
 the sporting 
 papers of runs 
 with the wild 
 stags in Devon 
 and Somerset 
 have been 
 eagerly read, and the height of my ambition has been to 
 have a day or two with them whenever the opportunity 
 occurred. Year after year something or other has prevented 
 it until last week the long-wished-for day arrived, and now 
 I can not only say that I have hunted in August, but have 
 seen a wild stag killed on Exmoor under circumstances that 
 might never occur again in a lifetime. There are many 
 good fellows, with time and money to spare, fond of nothing 
 but hunting, who would like to have a day or two here if 
 they only knew the way and how to manage, for the present 
 generation do not care to take much trouble even in search 
 of sport, however fond they may be of it. 
 
76 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 Thanks to the numerous correspondents who yearly take 
 up their quarters in the West (now, in the year 1885, Lord 
 Ebrington has requested the leading sporting papers not to 
 send special correspondents) sportsmen in other countries 
 are kept well up in all the doings of these hounds ; but 
 those who live in the country confine themselves mostly to 
 the actual sport shown without giving much information to 
 strangers who intend to visit them as to the best way of 
 getting about the country and the accommodation to be 
 found there for man and horse ; so, as we managed very 
 comfortably, I will give a slight sketch of our travels, 
 besides doing my best to describe the run on Friday, 
 though it would take the work of three special corre- 
 spondents rolled into one to do proper justice to the 
 latter, what with the immense crowd assembled to greet the 
 Prince, and the almost impossibility of following hounds 
 across the moors in their present heavy state, so as to see all 
 that went on. 
 
 Reading a run and following it out on a good map gives 
 one a tolerable idea of the position of meets, coverts, &c., 
 with regard to towns, villages, and railway stations most 
 convenient for reaching them ; but only practical experience 
 will teach one how to cross a country and get about, so to a 
 stranger a good pilot is invaluable, and in travelling, of 
 course, a good companion is everything ; so my delight may 
 be imagined, Avhen Avhile staying with Mr. Rawle at Berk- 
 hampstead, and asking his advice about going, he not only 
 offered to accompany me, but undertook to find horses and 
 manage everything, which, being a native of that country, 
 and as well-known and respected in that land of sportsmen 
 as in our own country, it need not be said that he duly 
 
WITH ROYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879. 77 
 
 carried out his promise, and we had a very merry time. It 
 was a happy thought of his to write to Exeter to secure 
 horses, for, in anticipation of the Royal visit, they were at a 
 premium, and every available animal nearer the favoured 
 district had been bespoken days before. However, Mr. John 
 Strong (late Pedrick) of Exeter promised to mount us, so 
 all we had to do was to pack a few necessaries in the smallest 
 possible space in saddle-bags to fasten on the saddle so as to 
 make us thoroughly independent, and off we started by an 
 express train on Wednesday, the 20th, prepared to rough it, 
 and in your interest, Mr. Editor, determined to make the best 
 use of my time, and to see as much as possible of the country 
 and its sporting inhabitants, besides taking part in the sport 
 of Friday. 
 
 It was deplorable to see the floods out and the mixture of 
 hay and water all the way down the line ; but the weather 
 cleared on our arrival at Exeter, and we proceeded at once 
 to inspect our mounts, after which we strolled off to the 
 Horse Bazaar to look through the stables of Messrs. 
 Pedrick and Price, where we found a lot of hunters, hacks, 
 and match teams, besides a lot of valuable horses in their 
 other stables and loose-boxes outside the town. The 
 presiding genius, Mr. Jack Evans, who is well known, having 
 hunted Lord Poltimore's Hounds for some years, very kindly 
 offered me a mount for Exmoor. I had seen the little horse 
 in the stables up above, and it was very tempting, but having 
 already a mount I was obliged to decline. 
 
 On Thursday morning we took our horses by an early 
 train to Taunton, which is the best station for any one 
 intending to hunt from London, for Mr. White lives there, and 
 in ordinary times can find mounts, which can be taken by 
 
78 TALES FOR SPOETSMEN. 
 
 rail or road to any meet with the Devon and Somerset, but 
 he told us that every animal in his yard was let for the great 
 day, and he did not know whether he should be able to go 
 himself. A kindly hint from him that we should have 
 difficulty in getting quarters anywhere in well-known 
 villages made us choose a quiet spot, so our horses were 
 taken off at East Anstey, some distance from the meet, but 
 close to Mr. Froude-Bellew's kennels, which I was very 
 anxious to see, as the B. B. H. is indebted to him for our 
 little favourite. Bribery, that many good men who have 
 followed them declare to be the best staghound bitch of 
 her size in England, and Nancy, the yellow and white bitch 
 that is so good at hunting in water when a deer takes to a 
 stream. I have also seen some very smart little ones in 
 other kennels, and was very anxious to see the pack which 
 could afford to draft them. Mr. Bellew was busy, but after 
 giving us a capital luncheon and some good advice as to our 
 future conduct and guide to health, he kindly sent his feeder 
 to show us the hounds, and it was no surprise to see a 
 wonderfully smart, level pack of thirty couple bitches and 
 seven couple dogs. Would that we could have a day with 
 them, for the natives say it is wonderful to see them find a 
 fox, and though those wild-bred ones take a lot of killing, it 
 must be an extraordinary one to get the better of the Squire 
 and his pack. 
 
 Our horses being fed, we trotted gaily on across moors and 
 up and down steep lanes with high banks covered with wild 
 strawberries, raspberries, and whortleberries, through a 
 beautiful country to the little village of Withybpool, where 
 we took up our quarters for the night at the Oak Tree Inn, 
 about eight miles from the meet next day at Hawkcombe 
 
WITH ROYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879. 79 
 
 Head. " The mussiful man is mussiful to liis beast," as 
 old Jorrocks says, so our first care was for our horses, 
 and we soon had them comfortably stabled. Determined 
 to rough it, our quarters were none so bad, and with a 
 light heart one does not stick at trifles, so we made the 
 best of everything, for after all the troubles and vexations 
 of the long summer months were we not really going hunting 
 to-morrow. 
 
 It seemed almost too good to be true, and after a slight 
 repast (it was not exactly dinner, tea, or sujDper, but just a 
 pig's chop boiled, with cheese to follow, and a dessert of 
 whortleberries, washed down with bottled ale) we had one 
 more look at our horses, and retired early to rest, but not 
 to sleep, for who can before the first day of hunting ? The 
 wind blew a gale down the valley, and rain dashed against 
 our window, but towards morning it cleared, and turned out 
 a glorious day. We were up betimes, and after the morning 
 tub, which we were lucky enough to procure, a visit to the 
 stable showed both horses feeding and looking bright and 
 well. We sat down to breakfast at seven o'clock, and all 
 shortcomings of the evening meal were amply atoned for by 
 a delicious rej)ast of Barle trout just caught and plenty 
 of fresh eggs and cream. Making an early start, we 
 soon arrived at Exford, in time to see the kennels before 
 the hounds left. Arthur Heal was dressing, but his son 
 took us in to see several trophies of the Chase. Heads 
 and slots, some of the latter set in silver for inkstands, 
 and one slot mounted with a candlestick had a melancholy 
 interest, for the inscription says it is from the last hind 
 killed by the old jDack, after an extraordinary run, before 
 their sad end. 
 
80 TALES FOE SPORTSMEN. 
 
 It will take some years to get such another pack together : 
 but they have already done wonders, and a look through the 
 kennel showed us a splendid lot — about thirty couple — of the 
 biggest dog hounds I ever saw. They cannot get bitches 
 big enough, so have none in the kennel. There are some 
 splendid puppies amongst this year's entry, bat the fifteen 
 couple picked for to-day are steady old ones, and if not 
 mistaken I spotted one or two that I have seen before in 
 other packs of staghounds. But it was time to jog on 
 towards the meet. No fear of losing the way, for people 
 were flocking from all parts. On horseback, on foot, some 
 had trudged for miles across the moors to see the Prince, 
 others in every description of trap, cart, and waggon. A 
 favourite fashion was to make up a party in a long, low farm 
 waggon, decorated with boughs and flowers like a moving 
 arbour, drawn by a tandem, with a boy on the leader. The 
 more they bumped and jolted the merrier grew the fun. I 
 never saw so many happy faces. Of course there were a 
 few mishaps and breakdowns, but they seemed to be taken 
 as a matter of course. The shafts of a cart broke just in 
 front of us, shooting its load out backwards. A waggon 
 behind stopped as a matter of course to pick them up, 
 though I don't believe they knew them, but made room so 
 that they might not lose the sight. Seeing his party safe 
 the driver of the cart shoved the broken vehicle on one 
 side out of the way, lighted his pipe, mounted the pony, and 
 rode on with us as if nothing had happened. 
 
 Arrived at Hawkcombe Head a sight rarely equalled met 
 our delighted eyes. Fancy a wide open moorland, with bold 
 scenery all round, and distant views of the Welsh coast across 
 the Bristol Channel, with light clouds flying over to give 
 
WITH ROYALTY OX EXMOOR, 1879. 81 
 
 light and shadow, the sun shining bright showing up the 
 white sails of the numerous yachts" sailing about, and then the 
 meet in the foreground, I have seen large meets with Her 
 Majesty's at Kenton-lane, near Harrow, when 800 horsemen 
 have assembled, and Maidenhead Thicket on an Easter Monday 
 of course draws a crowd ; but to-day beats all. Those more 
 accustomed to estimate numbers put them down at 15,000, 
 but I should say more than that on foot and on wheels, and 
 of horsemen when they were on the move altogether I made 
 out between 1,200 and 1,500. They came from all parts, and 
 besides the natives nearly every hunt in England must have 
 been represented, so it is simply impossible for a stranger to 
 give the names of many who were there ; but when Arthur 
 Heal on a well-bred chestnut, and his whip George Southwell 
 on a brown, arrived with fifteen couple of hounds at half-past 
 ten aud took up their positions on the moor, a knot of sports- 
 men gathered round them, and, thanks to my companion, I 
 made out Earl Fortescue, Lord Ebrington, Colonel Anstruther 
 Thomson and two daughters from Fife, Mr. and Mrs. Froude- 
 Bellew, Mr. Nicholas Snow, three well-known M.F.H.'s, 
 Colonel Kingscote, Mr. Williams, Captain Stevenson, and Mr. 
 Glasse, but it would require not only a county directory but 
 one embracing half-a-dozen other counties to give names of 
 half who were there. The Master unfortunately was not out, 
 so the treasurer, Mr. S. Warren, took his place. It was 
 amusing to see the occasional stampedes of horsemen across 
 the moor when word passed along that the Prince was coming, 
 but after several false alarms he arrived at a quarter to 
 twelve in an open carriage and four, with postilions in scarlet 
 jackets. In the carriage with the Prince were Prince Louis 
 uf Battenbern-, Lord Charles Beresford, the Rev. John Russell, 
 
82 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 and their host, Mr. Luttrell, M.F.H., of Dunster Castle. Out 
 of consideration for the large crowd they good-naturedly drove 
 right round the meet, so as to be seen by all, and received a 
 hearty welcome on all sides, after which they drove rapidly 
 off to a small house to mount their horses, which had been 
 sent on. Trotting back to the moor, we found Heal in Lord 
 Lovelace's big covert tufting with three couple. This was 
 quite a new experience for me, and the sight was one never 
 to be forgotten. Standing on the hill above the covert we 
 could see all that went on, while the royal party and most of 
 the field, surrounded by the crowd from the meet, were above 
 us. It was like a gigantic pic-nic, for luncheon was now the 
 order of the day amongst them, but we were more interested 
 in the tufting, and it was a treat worth living for to stand 
 on that hill overlooking the covert. Tbough passing clouds 
 threw an occasional shadow, the sun shone brightly, showing 
 up the best of all colours when we caught sight of Arthur's 
 new scarlet flitting through the glades below — shining, too, 
 on the bold headland and sea in the background ; but now 
 hounds were getting busier. Arthur and his whip, with one 
 or two who had followed them into covert, were galloping 
 about, and there was something before them that the more 
 practised eyes of the natives proclaimed to be a stag. They 
 did their best to drive him out, and we could now see him 
 dodging about close before them; but it was no use, he would 
 not break, but managed to put up a young stag, which came 
 sailing up towards us. So we jumped into covert to have a 
 view. Hounds were brought along, but he was not their 
 game, so trotted off along a road and across moors to the 
 deer park at Oare, where some warrantable stags had been 
 harboured, and they began tufting again. Those who have 
 
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WITH ROYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879. 80 
 
 only seen the deer parks round home would hardly know 
 what to make of this one, and many would perhaps fail to 
 distinguish it from the surrounding moors ; but it is a famous 
 l^reserve, and hence its name. No sooner were hounds in 
 than several stags were moved. I counted four, and one 
 magnificent stag came sailing along to us, but hounds were 
 too far off for us to see which they laid on. My companion 
 having hunted here often before, knows all about it, and 
 advised me not to go riding to hounds the same as at home, 
 especially amongst such a crowd and with the going so 
 unusually bad on account of the wet, for he said it is too near 
 our season for us to run extra risk in a strange country. So 
 we stayed quietly back while every one else was tearing about 
 hither and thither, some with the tufters and others with the 
 pack. Lookers-on see most of the game after all, and good 
 luck favoured us, for we fell in with a pilot, Mr. Halse, who 
 has hunted this country with foxhounds and harriers, bringing 
 more to hand than any one, one season, and besides this he 
 has hunted forty-two years with the staghounds. Without 
 knoAving all this, there was something about the sporting- 
 looking chestnut mare and the correct get-up of her rider, 
 from cap to spurs, that inspired confidence when he offered 
 to show us the way. Trotting along to a steep combe while 
 the hunt was on our right we saw a fine stag that had 
 evidently been hunted taking soil in a stream. He moved 
 off rather stiffly when he saw us, then quickened his pace, 
 running straight towards the pack. From where we stood 
 we saw the hunt turn and go away fast, while another small 
 body of men were flying in pursuit of a few hounds far to the 
 left. Our pilot trotted and galloped us along, keeping inside 
 as hounds ran a circle, so we could see pretty well all that 
 
 G 2 
 
84 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 went on. A shepherd with his hat up gave ns a help, and seeing 
 his sheep scud away we could make out the stag sailing 
 towards Badgeworthy Wood, hounds close to him going a 
 good pace, and several of the field close up. Our pilot was 
 galloping now, and we had to send them along best pace 
 across the boggy moor, jumping little water-courses, and 
 looking out sharp to avoid extra soft places, till we came to a 
 steep combe. There we saw the stag turn up the stream 
 right to us, with hounds in view. Was ever such luck for one 
 who had never been in the country or seen a wild stag killed ? 
 As they came along the bottom we had to ride down the 
 combe, and then lead our horses when it got too steep. This 
 is awkward work with a strange animal, especially when one 
 has a game leg that can't be depended on. I let go twice, 
 and was down, but kind friends helped, and we reached the 
 bottom all right in time to race along in the first flight to see 
 the death. 
 
 As the stag came along, we saw that it was the same we 
 had seen before in the other stream. He turned short before 
 the hounds ; they drove him up and down the brawling stream. 
 " Who-whoop," they pull him down. Arthur got hold, handed 
 his knife to the Prince, who gave the cowp de grdce, and as he 
 had never before been on Exmoor they proceeded to blood 
 him in orthodox fashion, which served both to please and 
 amuse him. The kill was in the valley of the Doone, close 
 by the ruins of the famous house referred to in the tale of 
 Zorna Doone, and the valley was soon full of men and 
 horses, galloping in from all sides. Some stayed in the 
 narrow path above, others led their horses down to the stream ; 
 many were the scramblings and rolls of horse and man down 
 the rocky sides ; some had so much impetus rolling down that 
 
WITH ROYALTY OX EXMOOR, 1879. 85 
 
 they crashed through a small stone wall into the stream, 
 much to the astonishment of His Royal Highness and those 
 below. Colonel Anstruther Thomson astonished even the 
 natives by riding his horse down where some were afraid even 
 to lead. It was half-past four when they killed, and horse- 
 men kept coming in for more than half an hour after, till 
 there must have been about 500 in all at the finish. Seeing 
 they had had such a good run I was rather inclined to upbraid 
 my companion for not having been closer to the hounds 
 while running, but when we heard from those who had been 
 there how the Prince had a narrow escape from a bog, how a 
 lady had been in a bog and it took eight men to get her horse 
 out, how grief had been rife amongst them all, and seeing how 
 more than half the field had been thrown out one way or 
 another, he shut me up and turned the laugh the other way 
 with this speech, " You might have gone if you liked, and 
 got bogged, too ; but now look here, here be the stag, here be 
 the hounds, here be the Prince, and here be we ! " Besides 
 this, our horses were comparatively fresh, while others looked 
 considerably done. We crossed the stream, and wended our 
 way across the moor in the best of company with the 
 liounds nearly to Exford, where we were to turn off for 
 Withy pool. 
 
 Before leaving them, let me offer a few words of advice to 
 strangers from other hunts who intend to hunt with them. 
 Although the Master, Mr. Fenwick Bisset, contributes mainly 
 towards their maintenance, he has been put to so much extra 
 expense lately, through the loss of his valuable hounds, that, 
 being a subscription pack, it seems hardly fair to hunt with 
 them without contributing something towards the hunt. In 
 the absence of the Master, the treasurer, Mr. S. Warren > 
 
86 TALES FOR SPORTSMEX. 
 
 takes his place ; but as I know from practical experience that 
 it is next to impossible to combine the duties and take notice 
 of every one who is out, intending subscribers should find 
 him out instead of leaving him to ask them. Money spent 
 on hunting is never thrown away, but many men will spend 
 it broadcast for their own convenience, and forget altogether 
 that hounds require money to keep them going. No one has 
 a right to follow hounds often without subscribing some- 
 thing towards their maintenance, and I hope that any sports- 
 man who goes down here on my recommendation to have a 
 few days' hunting before any other packs begin to hunt will 
 remember this hint, and not take it amiss. 
 
 After a pleasant ride with the hounds, w'e said good-bye as 
 they turned off to the kennels, and soon arrived at our 
 quarters at Withypool. Here we should have stopped for the 
 night, but being anxious to get back we retraced our steps 
 the way we came the day before. Crossing the moors and 
 over a country by dark, the instinct of our horses took us 
 right. I love an animal that gets one out of a difficulty, and 
 became quite fond of the good black that had carried me, 
 saddle-bags and all, through the day, and was still game as a 
 pebble. The villages seemed all full of tired men and horses, 
 so w^e plodded on through the dark, while the lanes seemed 
 to get steeper, with more loose stones about and streams to 
 cross as the horses got tired ; and to add to our miseries it 
 rained in torrents at intervals, but one of Woolgar's mackin- 
 tosh coats and leggings combined kept all dry and warm, till 
 at last we arrived at Dulverton about ten o'clock. This is a 
 rare place to stop, and very convenient for nearly all meets. 
 Though the Lamb and its stabling were full to overflowing, 
 the landlord is a good fellow, and found us stabling and rooms 
 
WITH ROYALTY ON EXMOOR, 1879. 87 
 
 in the town ; so after a good supper with him we were well 
 off after all our troubles. 
 
 I heard afterwards that the Prince of Wales had a cup of 
 tea and some bread and cheese at Nicholas Snow's of Oare, 
 the Master of the Stars of the West Fox-hounds. Miss Leslie 
 asked Mr. George Luttrell to allow the Prince's carriage to 
 go at a foot pace past her door, as she had the old women 
 of the village collected to see him. When he did pass, the 
 front rank was composed of the belles of the village, who, 
 said H.R.H., were the best samples of old women he had 
 ever seen. 
 
 Next morning we returned our horses to Exeter, and were 
 soon on the way home. Never shall I forget the kindness 
 and hospitality shown to us by every one on our journey, or 
 the fun and jollity we enjoyed during our short stay; and if 
 all goes well next year and we do not have another day or 
 two it will not be the fault of the writer. 
 
NOTES ON KIDING TOURS. 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 
 I. 
 
 ^nir^V 
 
 4¥-- 
 
 
 
 
 through a large box of old letters, papers, and memoran- 
 dum books that have accumulated during several years, 
 it was like meeting an old friend to come across a small 
 book of Notes put together during a riding tour in 1871, 
 and further search revealed others, compiled since, that 
 awoke many pleasant reminiscences, with the wish that 
 such a tour could be undertaken again ; but this year 
 other engagements prevent it, so, for the benefit of others 
 who may like to set out on horseback, those old note- 
 books contain a few hints that will be useful, and at the 
 
92 TALES FOR SPORTSMEX. 
 
 same time might amuse other readers, just now, when 
 every one is seeking rest and holiday. Instead of rushing 
 abroad and spending their substance, besides running the 
 risk of contaminating diseases now raging in foreign countries, 
 let Englishmen travel quietly about, and enjoy the beauties 
 of our own country, studying the habits of rural populations, 
 which will be found quite as interesting as those of any 
 foreigners whose language cannot be half understood ; our 
 quiet old-fashioned hotels are very comfortable, and a good 
 square meal always obtainable, with ale to wash it doAvn, and 
 very often rare good old wine is to be found in out-of-the-way 
 places ; and, what is of most importance, money spent 
 liberally amongst our own peoj^le benefits the nation and 
 comes indirectly back to all of us. The public coaches run- 
 ning daily out of London and between many country towns 
 have done a great deal of good in this direction, while the 
 various kinds of human propellers bring long ranges of 
 country within reach ; but wheels must keep to the roads, 
 besides entailing a certain amount of hard labour, so the full 
 enjoyment of perfect independence, and at the same time 
 rest, is not obtainable as on horseback. 
 
 "With a good hack, twenty to twenty-five miles a day can 
 be easily accomplished for a week or more, and no better 
 way for getting a hunter into condition just before hunting 
 could be devised. There is always the chance during 
 September of getting a day amongst the cubs, or if a trip 
 were made to the West in August, a few days with the Devon 
 and Somerset Staghounds might be enjoyed, and in the 
 New Forest both deerhounds and foxhounds are at work. 
 
 It is curious that just as these notes were being put in 
 shape, another writer in the magazine last month, in an able 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 93 
 
 paper on " Horse Shows," should have written concerning 
 roadsters. Who nowadays would roll up his other shirt, and 
 stuff it into a wallet, in company with slippers, horse-pick, 
 and perhaps a crust of bread and cheese, preparatory to em- 
 barking on a journey by road ? The object now is to show 
 how these useful items may be packed with more that may 
 be required for a lengthened tour. Had it not been for the 
 love of touring on horseback those charming books by " The 
 Druid " (the late H. H. Dixon) might not have been written ; 
 and now others may like to set out. 
 
 For outfit great care should be taken as to a well-fitting 
 saddle that does not shift about with the weight of the 
 saddle-bags. These two, made of soft cow-hide, should be 
 about eleven inches deep by eight and three wide, well 
 balanced on D-rings behind the saddle, with a girth passed 
 through the breastplate to keep them from shaking. Packed 
 carefully, they will hold a light covert coat in case of wet — 
 Gray and Botthamley, of Grantham, for choice — a pair of 
 thin trousers, two flannel shirts, a few white washing ties that 
 take the place of collars, three pairs of socks, pocket-hand- 
 kerchiefs, a pair of tennis slippers that do for out-door wear, 
 and a dressing-case that measures 6^ by oh inches. A pair 
 of thin waterproof leggings can be strapped in front of the 
 saddle, in a case that is also handy for holding small articles 
 or luxuries. A short curved briar pipe that cannot be 
 jammed down your throat is best for smoking, as cigars take 
 up so much room, and tobacco can always be obtained, while 
 they cannot. Breeches and gaiters will be found most com- 
 fortable, and easier to walk in when necessary than boots. 
 A light hunting-whip is a capital companion to keep cur- 
 dogs in order and ensure civility amongst small boys, on 
 
94 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 whom the thong has a wonderful moral effect. A map and 
 compass will be useful ; Stanford's reduced Ordnance are 
 best, but Phillips's county maps are handy for the pocket. 
 Great care must be taken in packing the saddle-bags to 
 balance them exactly, and they should weigh seven pounds 
 each, filled with every necessary for a ten-stone man on a 
 month's tour. There is a new metal, Webster's patent 
 aluminium, for bits, stirrups and spurs, which are to be 
 bought at Garden's, 200, Piccadilly, and will be found in- 
 valuable where saving time and labour is an object, as they 
 only require washing and drying with a leather to shine like 
 silver, and they ought never to wear out, as there is no 
 burnishing required, A trial has proved this, and they give 
 great satisfaction in many stable-yards. Companions on 
 these tours must be well chosen, and — more important still — 
 horses must travel well together at even paces, or the trip is 
 best undertaken alone. In this respect our first start, on 
 August 21, 1871, was most happy. 
 
 Mounted on a thoroughbred chestnut hunter, with a 
 brother on an equally well-bred black mare, that could keep 
 evenly together at any pace, we reached St. Albans in time 
 for luncheon, and climbed the Abbey Tower to see the view ; 
 then jogged on to the Hertfordshire kennels in time for tea 
 with Ward, who showed us the hounds and horses ; then sent 
 our horses on to Luton, and drove us in the evening to " The 
 George," where we found comfortable quarters for the night. 
 A nice place is Luton, and lively. Next morning we rode 
 along the high road, with broad turf on either side, to Barton, 
 gettino" a grand view from the hills and a nice breeze ; but 
 dowD below the heat was scorching, and we were glad to 
 reach Silsoe, where we stabled our horses, and lay under the 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 95 
 
 trees in Wrest Park till it became cooler, and we started for 
 Bedford, passing great fields of onions, which turned our 
 ideas towards steaks; and we did enjoy them at "The 
 Swan," where the art of amalgamation of these choice com- 
 estibles was well understood. That evening the heat was 
 choking, so we sauntered to the bathing-place, and revelled 
 in the water exhibition, for the Bedford boys are amphibious. 
 A thunder-storm at night cooled the air, but unsettled the 
 weather, so, instead of visiting the Oakley kennels as we had 
 intended, we put on our waterproofs and jogged on to 
 Newport Pagnell, where, being market day, we listened to a 
 comical auctioneer selling sheep ; he was a wag, and kept 
 his audience in a roar, while prices seemed to run high. It 
 rained hard as we went to Stony Stratford, and at the hotel 
 there was only a commercial room, so, like the bagmen of 
 old, we unpacked our goods, and mystified the inhabitants, 
 who did not know what to make of us — perhaps they took 
 us for highwaymen; but we were made most comfortable, 
 and the charges were very moderate. Next morning it 
 rained again in torrents and blew hard, disappointing us of 
 our intended visit to Wakefield Lawn, for a wet day on the 
 flags is not enjoyable, so we rode on, hoping that it would 
 clear before we reached Whaddon Chase ; but we met Squire 
 Lowndes's hounds out at exercise close to their kennels, then 
 rode on to Leighton Buzzard, where it was intended to stop ; 
 but the day was still young, and the rain cleared off, so after 
 a bait we jogged on to Mentmore, where Fred Cox showed us 
 the hounds, and after tea poor Barker took us round the late 
 Baron's stables, which contained as fine a stud as is now to 
 be seen at Ascot. 
 
 No one ever looks at the time when with hounds and 
 
96 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 horses, so it was late and rained in torrents as we reached 
 Triog, where young Sam Brown always welcomes sportsmen, 
 and knows how to make them comfortable when coming 
 home wet or weary to the Royal Hotel. A chat with John 
 or Sam Brown, who are full of sporting recollections during 
 the last eighty years, is always a treat ; and if Herbert is at 
 home, he can keep the game alive all round. 
 
 Friday was a grand summer's day, bright but cool, and 
 very clear for getting long views, so we thoroughly enjoyed 
 the ride to Berkhampstead, where we paid our respects to 
 Mr. Bawle, the worthy Master of the Buckhounds, who 
 showed us his smart little ladies, and gave us some good 
 advice before we started for Bricket Wood, through which 
 and by familiar by-paths we rode home, having travelled 
 rather more than 100 miles during the five days. 
 
 The next tour was undertaken alone on the same chestnut 
 horse ; he was an odd-tempered animal, and always went 
 much more pleasantly by himself than in company. To save 
 time in getting to the country in which we wished to travel, 
 we took train to Dorking, and started on August 16, 1873, 
 a few days after the fatal accident to the Bishop of Winches- 
 ter, who had been riding near Evershed's Rough. Biding 
 through this country, the scenery is so beautiful that no one 
 would wonder at a horseman being so engrossed that he 
 grew careless, and left his horse to saunter on ; but the small 
 cross, cut in the turf at the exact spot, showed plainly where 
 the slight hollow caused the accident. St. Margaret's 
 Church, on the hills above Guildford, was a familiar landmark 
 by which to steer for a hospitable mansion, where many 
 pleasant days have been enjoyed. There luncheon and 
 plenty of chaff was ready for tlie wayfarer, who started 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 97 
 
 refreshed through Wonnersh and Godalming to Haslemere, 
 to spend Sunday. On Monday, a moorland ride by Hind 
 Head and the Devil's Leap to Farnham, and through 
 Aldershot, Farnborough, and Frimley, to Bagshot on a soak- 
 ing wet afternoon, so put up at an old-fashioned inn, with 
 great stables that told of the glory of the road in days 
 gone by. 
 
 It was fine next morning, and the pinewoocjs smelt fresh 
 towards Ascot, where a visit was of course paid to the Koyal 
 Kennels. Goodall was away ; but Bartlett showed the 
 hounds, and they had a good entry that year. 
 
 Rode on to Binfield for luncheon, and by a short cut, 
 which sadly disconcerted the owner of the beautiful park, 
 till a message was delivered by way of explanation, and he 
 Avas much entertained with the conceit, and also the mode of 
 travelling. Haines Hill was the destination, and a pleasant 
 hour spent looking over Mr. Garth's hounds with Brackley, 
 who after tea put us in the way by a very pretty road through 
 Twyford and Wargrave to Henley, in time for stewed eels at 
 the " Red Lion." There was a local resratta next mornincf, 
 and plenty of fun on the river, so a late start was made to 
 Maidenhead and Windsor, where there is always plenty to 
 see, so the afternoon was spent in the Roj^^al Mews and going 
 round the Castle. After a wet night, the clear view from 
 the Round Tower was well worth the arduous climb. 
 Harrow, Highgate, Hampstead, and the Crystal Palace could 
 be seen, also St. Alban's Abbey, and of course the Bucking- 
 hamshire scenery. The journey this day was through 
 Datchet to Langley, where a visit was paid to Sir Robert 
 Harvey's (late the Prince of Wales's) Harriers, a pretty little 
 pack, that not only hunt their own game, but give good 
 
 H 
 
98 TALES FOR SPOKTSMEN. 
 
 account of any deer that they ave laid on. George Farr was 
 naturally proud to show them ; also the horses, which were a 
 good lot. A relative's house at Hillingdon was the des- 
 tination that night, and next morning, as usual, an early 
 visit was paid to the stable. While feeling the old horse's 
 legs, a sharp nip from his teeth in the fleshy part of the 
 shoulder warned that something had upset him, for, awkward 
 as he was with strangers, he had always been civil to his 
 owner, and even now seemed ashamed of himself when he 
 found that he had made a mistake. A great clattering of 
 horse's feet on the stones outside, accompanied by loud 
 objurgations, showed that the qui-tamer of the establishment 
 was being dressed, and the groom was operating on his thick 
 hide with a besom. " Did you dress this one with that 
 machine ? " " Oi troied, but 'ee wouldn't let me ; and you 
 had better feed 'im yourself, and put yer saddle on, for 'ee 
 won't let me near 'im." And no wonder with a thorough- 
 bred skin to be insulted like that. That morning was lovely 
 and jolly, to ride through Ruislip, Pinner, and the glorious 
 Harrow country home, where we were busy hunting with 
 Draghounds that season, and had rare gallops over the grass 
 round Barnet and Totteridge. The beauty of our home 
 counties in summer time is little known even to Londoners, 
 who live so near. These quiet tours in Surrey, Herts, and 
 Middlesex are within reach of numbers who only want a lead 
 to show them the way. As to cost, one pound a day covers 
 expenses of man and horse if economy is a matter of im- 
 portance, while there is more enjoyment to be had for this 
 money than if spent rushing about by train, or doing nothing 
 at seaside places. Those sportsmen who do not keep horses 
 can hire useful hacks for a tour along the South Coast, from 
 
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NOTES OX RIDING TOURS. 
 
 09 
 
 Dupont of Brighton, or, in the West of England, from John 
 White of Taunton, English of Cheltenham, and John Strong 
 of Exeter. Near London, Harveyson of Finchley has always 
 strong hacks fit to go, so have John Read of Watford, and 
 Flack of Stevenage. Besides these two tours, others have 
 been made on horseback. 
 
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<V^ i^ [1 ^ ^^ ^^~^ ™^ ^^^^ P^ 
 
 paper 
 on this subject appeared, two 
 or three letters have been received from 
 ladies asking why no advice was given to them how to pack 
 saddle-bags and accompany their husbands or brothers on 
 riding tours ; so, the desire to please the fair sex being 
 the highest motive of man, every care has been taken to 
 afford the required information. Not an easy matter for a 
 bachelor to accomplish, and many might have been daunted 
 by the apparent hopelessness of giving satisfaction, for how 
 can a man know the requirements of a lady on tour ? Still, 
 the desire to please obliged the subject to be undertaken 
 systematically, and it is hoped that the result will give 
 satisfaction. The first thing was to find a saddle-bag 
 suitable for a side-saddle, so a visit was paid to Mr. Smith, 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 101 
 
 151, Strand, the Colonial saddler and outfitter, who has a 
 waterproof canvas bag, eighteen inches by twelve, and ex- 
 panding six, which hangs to D rings on the off side of the 
 saddle with straps also to the girths to prevent shaking. 
 The next thing was to try how much could be packed into 
 it, and now came the working of a master mind. With 
 a large acquaintance among the fair sex it was not difficult 
 to choose three practical young ladies to whom a prize (a 
 box of chocolate) was offered for the best solution to the 
 problem, and who should also give a list of what could be 
 packed, which is as follows : — A thin silk dress, flannel 
 undergarment, sleeping requirements, stockings (silk takes 
 up least space), pocket-handkerchiefs, tennis slippers, brush 
 and comb, etc., etc, ; so it is to be hoped that etc., etc., 
 comprises all the little necessary accessories to their toilet 
 of which we men know nothing. The practical fair one (who 
 well deserved that box of chocolate) also suggests the use of 
 " ever clean " collars and cuffs, which are made of specially 
 prepared waterproof linen, that can be washed with soap and 
 water and dried with a towl, ready to be put on every 
 morning. A light mackintosh, with a skirt to protect the 
 whole habit, can be rolled up in front of the saddle, and a 
 light coloured billycock hat with veil should be worn. Thus 
 equipped a lady might travel for a few days, but if a 
 lengthened tour was undertaken it would be best to have 
 a groom driving with the luggage in a dogcart, which would 
 also be available in case of fatigue or wet weather. With 
 such an auxiliary parties might be formed, say a few young 
 people with a sedate chaperone in the dogcart to meet them 
 in the evening with the rest of the heavy baggage ; nor 
 would it be a bad way of spending the honeymoon, especially 
 if the old-fashioned pillion of our ancestors was revived. 
 
102 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 But for real enjoyment in travelling there is nothing to 
 equal horseback, and it is to be hoped that many will profit 
 by these hints, and see the beauties of our country, instead 
 of rushiug about abroad by sea and railway. 
 
 Now, to continue with personal reminiscences, by far the 
 most pleasant tour yet undertaken was in 1876. That year- 
 the end of the hunting season will be always remembered 
 by the awful snow-storms that stopped hunting in April, 
 when the deep lanes were so blocked that we could not 
 even get to a meet. It was out hunting in a snow-storm 
 that a bad cold was caught, and a long period of easterly 
 winds afterwards gave no chance of recovery, till kind friends 
 and doctors grew anxious and recommended change of air 
 w^th total rest, so how could that be better obtained than 
 on a riding tour ? It was on June 21st that saddle-bags 
 were packed, and the journey to London accomplished in 
 time to take train from Waterloo to Portsmouth — a blazing 
 hot day, when it was pleasant to find comfortable quarters at 
 the Queen's Hotel, Southsea, while the good little bay mare 
 was stabled at Hutchins's, where it was seen that every 
 attention would be paid to her, while there was yet time 
 for a walk to explore the town, and enjoy the cool breeze 
 on the pier. Here was a tragedy when the Isle of Wight 
 boat came in, for an old lady slipped off the landing-board 
 into the water, followed by a railway porter and two other 
 officials, who dived in and effected a gallant rescue, while 
 women fainted, and a pickpocket of course improved the 
 occasion to ply his craft; but no sooner was his hand in 
 somebody else's pocket, than he was collared by a lynx-eyed 
 limb of the law, and as we bystanders made a cap for the 
 plucky divers, we saw them form a procession with their 
 salvage and her rejoicing relatives, followed b}' the crestfallen 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 103 
 
 pickpocket led off to durance vile between two stalwart 
 Hampshire constables. 
 
 Intending to cross over to the Isle of Wight next day, 
 it was necessary to get information as to the ferry-boat for 
 the mare, which was soon arranged, and there was a capital 
 Show of Dogs, Poultry, etc., to visit before dinner. 
 
 Next morning an early start was necessary to catch the 
 ferry-boat, and soon after seven we were under way. 
 Luckily it was a cool, calm morning, with the sea like 
 glass, so w^e were ferried over to Ryde by 9.30. As the 
 sun got high, it was a hot ride to Newport, where a shower 
 of rain cooled the air, while we called at Marvell, where 
 Mr. Harvey then kept the foxhounds. They were out at 
 exercise : but it was a short ride back to Carisbrook for 
 luncheon, and a ramble round the Castle, with its famous 
 well and historical associations ; after which we went down 
 to the kennels again, just as hounds came in, and spent a 
 pleasant half-hour with the Master. On the way to 
 Sandown a visit should have been paid to Mr. Frank 
 Barton, who kept a pack of harriers, but rain came down 
 in torrents, so the mare trotted on to Sandown, and we were 
 made comfortable at the Royal Hotel. Next morning after 
 a jolly bathe, for there is no place to beat Sandown Bay 
 for a swim, there were old friends to visit, and old haunts 
 to sec before starting for an undecided haven — for this is the 
 beauty of travelling on horseback, you can stop where you 
 take a fancy ; so rode on through Shank! in, where the way 
 was enlivened by a bright little boy on a grey pony, who 
 knew all about hunting in the district, and gave good advice 
 as to quarters for the night. It was a lovely ride through 
 Bonchurch and Ventnor, past St. Lawrence to the Sandrock 
 Hotel; but that seemed too ftir from the sea for a bathe. 
 
104 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 There was a toll-bar on the way, tenanted by one of the 
 prettiest turnpike keepers ever seen, with a bright smile 
 for the payee, who stopped for change. Here is a hint for 
 road surveyors and trustees : re-establish the turnpikes with 
 such pretty keepers, when not only will all the amateur 
 mashers take to the road on bicycles or tricycles, but they 
 will be anxious that payment should be compulsory for all 
 their fraternity, so the roads could be kept in order without 
 appealing to the rates. 
 
 These reflections occurred on the road to Blackgang, where 
 we put up at the Chine Hotel for the night. At the foo^ 
 of the Chine was quite a romantic spot for a bathe at high 
 water, after which and a good breakfast it was a jolly ride 
 along the new government road by the cliffs to Freshwater, 
 where the principal hotel is in the hands of Mr. Lambert, 
 a sportsmen fond of hunting ; so, needless to say, mare and 
 rider were made comfortable for Sunday, while his knowledge 
 of huntings and anecdotes thereon were most entertaininfj. 
 There is much to see in the neighbourhood, and it is a 
 popular resort for young couples on their honeymoon. The 
 difficulty was how to avoid them, for they do scowl so on a 
 lonely bachelor with a twinkling eye, who comes suddenly 
 upon them in quiet corners, while seeking seclusion for 
 himself. In the beautiful garden round the hotel were 
 loving couples, on the seashore were loving couples, high 
 up at the Beacon on the Downs was a loving couple, 
 down at Alum Bay a loving couple landed off a yacht, 
 and on the way back to the hotel it was very hard lines 
 to be driven out from a shady nook, which was really meant 
 to enjoy a pipe in, by a scowling youug couple who evidently 
 considered it their own and desecrated by a smoker ; so it was 
 given up to them, and in sheer desperation a seat was chosen 
 
■':^=^<:;:- ^- 11 
 
 if . 
 
 
 
 n 
 
 
 h 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 105 
 
 on the open downs, so that young couples might see from 
 a long distance what to avoid, and if they came that way 
 it was their own fault. After dinner it was noticed that 
 most of the bridegrooms amalgamated for a social smoke, 
 leaving their respective brides to their own devices. They 
 were not so sociable, for there were two sitting at the 
 opposite ends of the long dining-table writing what were 
 evidently the first letters home to mamma, saying how they 
 liked the married state — a labour involving deep study and 
 much concentration of thought, judging by the corresponding 
 contraction of brows into wrinkles. Enter their affectionate 
 bridegTooms much concerned to note those anxious faces. 
 One who must have been a wag was apparently about to 
 send a chaffing message, when he suddenly remembered that 
 the kind, considerate lady, who had so often helped him in 
 many different ways during his courtship, was now his 
 mother-in-law, and at the awful thought his cheek paled, 
 and he shut up like a telescope. 
 
 On the Monday morning it was a short ride to Yarmouth, 
 where the ferry-boat was ready to start for the mainland. 
 In company with a gipsy van and three horses, it was a 
 rough passage till the steamer reached the river and pro- 
 ceeded up its course, marked out by fir-trees like a boulevard 
 into Lymington, where it was some satisfaction to be once 
 more on terra firma. Then a visit was paid to Mr. Cooper's 
 Stud Farm, for the nephew of the late Captain Billy Cooper 
 of road fame keeps one of the best appointed stables in the 
 country. Then the beauties of the New Forest were enjoyed 
 through Brockenhurst, where the first acquaintance was made 
 with the dreaded forest flies. A white pony turned out from 
 his stable into the forest to graze commenced to run about 
 kicking like mad, and while laughing at his antics without 
 
106 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 knowing the cause, a loose seat on the usually quiet little 
 bay mare nearly brought about a catastrophe when she 
 suddenly made a bolt, kicking and bucking as if to get rid of 
 her rider, saddle-bags and all ; nor did she settle down till 
 Lyndhurst was reached, and at the Crown Hotel Stables the 
 mystery was solved by the ostler, who proceeded to take off 
 the flies at great risk of getting kicked. In those days the 
 present genial host of the Crown, Mr. Palmer, had not 
 appeared ; but Mr. Loman, the projDrietor, managed to ^et a 
 bed in the village, for the hotel was full during a cricket 
 week, and there was plenty of fun in the pretty little village. 
 After dinner there was time for a walk to the foxhound 
 kennels, and a talk with merry Charles Hawtin, who has since 
 joined the majority, and is buried with his father and brother 
 at Emery Down close by. Next morning there was another 
 beautiful ride through the Forest to Romsey, and on to the 
 Hursley Kennels, where we stayed so late talking to Alfred 
 Summers, that all thoughts of where to sleep were forgotten, 
 and it was nine o'clock when the Royal Hotel at Winchester 
 was reached, to find that with Stockbridge Races, the Militia 
 in training, and Assizes on, all at the same time, beds and 
 stabling were at a premium. However, we found a room, 
 and, after supper, slept the sleep of the just. Next day the 
 heat was scorching as we went over the Downs, and by 
 pretty lanes to the Hambledon Kennels at Exton, where we 
 saw Mr. Walter Long's pack with Alfred Mandeville, and 
 then rode on through a thunderstorm to the Anchor at 
 Ropley, where Bailey, father of the two well-known 
 huntsmen, was quite sorry that he was alone in the 
 house, with no woman left to cook ; but after seeing the 
 mare comfortable, he cooked two splendid chops, two great 
 rashers of home-cured bacon, and two eggs, apologising for 
 
NOTES ON RIDING TOURS. 107 
 
 not getting more ; but though dinners have been partaken 
 at the Mansion House and in many famous temples of 
 gastronomy, no meal was ever better enjoyed, and when over 
 a pipe he began to tell anecdotes we passed a very pleasant 
 evening. Next morning the storm had cooled the air, so, 
 after a visit to Mr. Deacon's kennels close by, we set out 
 through Alton to Farnham, where kind friends made us 
 welcome. For the next few days, what with visits to 
 Aldershot, fishing in Frencham pond, and a look at Mr. 
 Coombe's hounds in their new kennels, time slipped by till 
 Monday, when a lovely ride along the Hog's Back, with those 
 grand views on either side, took us to Guildford, and other 
 pleasant quarters for the night. Then a long ride next day 
 through Woking, Chertsey, Hampton and Twickenham to 
 Isleworth late at night, and on home the following day, 
 having spent three weeks pleasantly with much benefit to 
 mare and rider. Steady travelHng hardens horses' legs and 
 of course does good to condition, while as for a horseman the 
 perfect rest and enjoyment with the feeling of fi-eedom and 
 independence does more good than would be believed by 
 many until they try it. 
 
 The next time the saddle-bags were packed it was more 
 with the object of a ride round about home than a long tour. 
 On the 10th August, 1877, the old chestnut hunter journeyed 
 down to the Eose and Crown, Watford, and we started next 
 morning for Shendish, paid a visit to Bob WoiTall, who showed 
 us the Old Berkeley hoiinds, then jogged on to Berkhampstead, 
 where Mr. Rawle was busy harvesting, but made us welcome 
 to spend Sunday ; and a happy day it was, for the Master of 
 the Buckhounds is a genial host, and at that time arrange- 
 ments were made which have since turned out happily. On 
 Monday morning it was a delightful ride to the Hertfordshire 
 
108 
 
 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 Kennels at Kennesbourne Green, and, after luncheon with 
 Ward, we jogged on to Stevenage, and put up at Flack's 
 Yorkshire Grey. Next day rode to Hitchin, attended 
 market, and round to Bendish, where we stayed a few days, 
 and rode home through Hatfield. Many short rides have 
 been taken since, and the saddle-bags are always ready for 
 the road. During September, when the days get cooler and 
 cub-hunting commences, there is much pleasure in riding 
 about from kennel to kennel, sleeping handy to the early 
 meets, and after a morning amongst the cubs riding on to see 
 another pack, and perhaps hunting with them next morning. 
 What a lot of sport could be enjoyed in Devonshire just now 
 by taking two horses, with a light lad to ride the one carry- 
 ing the saddle-bags ! they could hunt alternate days, and, 
 always having the bags handy, no longer distances need be 
 travelled after hunting, but just sleep at the nearest place. 
 In this way we once enjoyed a visit to the west, and hope 
 others will try it. 
 
 aiiiliiiw»-->*i*ii 
 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 
 
BRICKET WOOD, 
 
 that has hunted from London does not know this famous 
 stronghold for foxes ? a neutral covert, drawn by the 
 Hertfordshire and the Old Berkeley Hounds that hunt 
 this part of the country alternate months. Situated 
 midway between Watford and St. Alban's, with the branch 
 of the London and North-Western Railway running through 
 its centre, it is easily accessible by rail, while, given a good 
 
112 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 hack, it is quite possible to send on a hunter in the morning 
 and ride down from " the little village." With what different 
 feelings do the members of either hunt notice this fixture 
 on their cards or hunting advertisements. The keen ones, 
 who know their way about it and how to get out quickly 
 when hounds go away, knowing well the chance they have 
 of getting a run, will exclaim, " Dear old Bricket ! " aud 
 keep their best horses — two, if possible — to make sure of 
 being in a run ; wdiile others, who only think of the deep- 
 holding rides and a few awkward fences that may throw 
 them out, say, " Bricket again ? Confound the place ! Any old 
 screw, and the w^orst clothes in the w^ardrobe, will do for 
 that! " Bricket Wood, with the Scrubs and coverts adjoining, 
 consists of about 1000 acres. These are Burston's and Black- 
 boy Wood and coverts on Mr. Hibbert's estate at Munden, 
 which join the Scrubs. Also Mr. Hegan's covert at Buck- 
 nail's, where foxes make their home. With so much covert, 
 and most of it, especially the Scrubs and Bricket Wood, 
 itself very thick, it is not easy to force a fox away ; but of 
 late, being constantly hunted, they have been taught to fly, 
 and sport has much improved in consequence. 
 
 Each pack has a separate meet when Bricket Wood is on 
 the card. The Hertfordshire meet at the cross-roads near 
 the Noke, on the St. Alban's and Watford Road, two miles 
 from the former ; while the Old Berkeley meet at the Old 
 Toll Bar, nearer Watford. Both packs meet at Mr. Hibbert's, 
 Munden House, on the opposite side of the wood, nearer 
 Aldenham, and at Newberries ; and the Old Berkeley have 
 met at Bucknall's, and often draw here from Bushey Mill. 
 From the Hertfordshire meet hounds commence drawing 
 Burston's, while the field, generally a large number of horse- 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 113 
 
 men, make their way up the lane leading to the railway 
 station, waiting till they draw round to Blackboy Wood, and 
 Bob Ward has been known to slip away with a fox to Gor- 
 hambury before any but a few knowing ones found out they 
 were away. Then, in the Scrubs, how often the field has 
 been caught napping; and, again, from the thick-lying 
 brambles in Bricket, where a fox has jumped out and gone 
 straight to Mr. Solly's Serge Hill coverts, and the luckiest 
 horsemen, who have had a real stern chase, just managed to 
 catch sight of the leaders riding to hounds running hard to 
 the Grove or Cassiobury Park. The Old Berkeley go from 
 the Old Toll Bar direct to these thick-lying brambles, and a 
 fox will then make for the Scrubs, cross the railway to 
 Mud den, then across the River Colne to Aldenham Abbey 
 or Berry Grove, near Bushey Hall. Then they get on to the 
 grass, and they have been known to run to Newberries and 
 Combe Wood, near Shenley. From Munden House hounds 
 draw the little covert towards the Scrubs, then the said 
 Scrubs, and here it is well lor their followers to be careful. 
 The narrow paths between the thick bushes are deep and 
 slushy, as the ground is quite undrained, and broken or 
 freshly-cut stubbs, sharp as a razor, will very soon lame a 
 horse. The best way is to take the road, such as it is, to 
 the railway, over the bridge to the brickfield, through this, 
 and over a little post and rails on to the high bridge, from 
 which the whole of the Scrubs can be seen. If a fox goes 
 away towards Munden the same route may be retraced, but 
 if he crosses the railway there is a solid path which may be 
 followed to the road which divides the wood, and whichever 
 way hounds turn they can be caught. Again, suppose he 
 breaks for Bucknall's, there is a solid path through the 
 
114 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 brickfield, and away past the house to Garston's, if the fox 
 goes for the Gullet. The best way to enjoy Bricket, and, in 
 fact, all great woods where there is difficulty in getting 
 away, is to have two horses out, with a second horseman who 
 can be depended on to wait quietly outside without chatter- 
 ing and heading a fox. Then, as you come galloping out 
 with the first half-blown, you get on the fresh one and sail 
 away. But it is always more satisfactory even to be left 
 behind in covert than to get too forward and head a fox. 
 You can always make up for lost time, but no one gets over 
 the disgrace when he is to blame for a fox being chopped. 
 Hard lines on huntsmen and whips, when they have had all 
 the trouble of getting a fox to the open, to see him turn 
 short back, and hounds run into him, because some jealous 
 fool is anxious to get a start. But how often this has 
 happened in Bricket, and many a good fox has come to an 
 unsatisfactory end ! 
 
 Bricket is not famous as a game covert, and Mr. Bailey, 
 of Cuckman's, rented it for some years as a fox covert, for 
 he rarely shot there, and during his time hounds rarely drew 
 blank. Some rare runs were enjoyed there, and also from 
 Park Wood and Birch Wood to Gorhambury. Pre Wood, 
 too, held foxes that would run to Bricket, and now they do 
 the same. When Mr. Hibbert, of Munden, took the shooting 
 he had trouble at first, and Bricket almost lost its reputation ; 
 but now, under the care of a keeper who came with a cer- 
 tificate from a M.F.H., the right animal predominates, and 
 blank days are unknown. Some of the best days enjoyed 
 during late years may be given as they are jotted down in 
 an old diary. 
 
 January 28, 1878. Bricket Wood, O.B.H, Soaking wet 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 115 
 
 day ; found leash of foxes ; hounds divided ; both lots ran 
 well in different directions; no kill. — February 22, 1878. 
 Herts. Found brace, perhaps changed during run ; but 
 killed old dog-fox after capital run in Cassiobury Park. — 
 March 11. O.B.H. chopped fox in covert.— 23rd. O.B.H. 
 met at Newberries ; Mr. Longman hunting them. Found 
 in Bricket Scrubs, ran forty minutes to Gorhambury. — 
 February 7, 1879. Herts. Wet day after severe frost ; bad 
 riding. Found at once in Bricket ; lost him near Aldenham. 
 Found again in Pre Wood, ran to Gaddesden ; lost near 
 Water End. — February 28. Herts. Good run, and killed. 
 Good run from Stroud Wood, afternoon, — March 10. O.B.H. 
 Found in Bricket ; lost him. Found in Serge Hill, ran to 
 Pre Wood, on through Batch Wood to Harpenden Common, 
 and left him. — March 31. Ran one to Cassiobury, and 
 another to Gorhambury, — April 18. Herts. Nice little run ; 
 no kill. — October 22, 1879. Herts. Ran one to ground at 
 Serge Hill. Good run with another to King's Langley. — 
 January 12, 1880. O.B.H. Bucknall's. Killed one, ran 
 other to Pre Wood. — February 6. Herts. Ran to Newbemes 
 and Shenley. — March 8. O.B.H. King's Langley Station ; 
 drew to Bricket ; found brace, short runs, and killed two. — 
 March 22. O.B.H. lost the first, ran second to ground, killed 
 the third.— November 29, 1880. O.B.H. ran fast to Park 
 Street, Hedge's Farm, and killed in garden at St. Albans. 
 Found other at Abbot's Hill, and whipped off at dark. — 
 January 10, 1881. O.B.H. Bushey Mill. Ran one to ground 
 at Aldenham Abbey. Ran another from Bricket to Gorham- 
 bury Fish Ponds, and killed. 
 
 The season just passed has been the best ever remembered 
 by frequenters of Bricket, both packs having had good run.=, 
 
 I 2 
 
116 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 and it has never been drawn blank. Twice the O.B.H. have 
 run to Whippendale, and when meeting near Lord Clarendon's, 
 they ran back and killed their fox at Bedmond on his way 
 to Bricket. The Hertfordshire one day ran a fox to ground 
 near St. Alban's, and another to Abbot's Langley. Altogether 
 about six brace of foxes have been accounted for from Bricket 
 and its vicinity. Right well has it regained its former re- 
 putation, showing what can be done. Would that some 
 other covert owners in Hertfordshire would follow Mr. 
 Hibbert's example, for at the present time there are few 
 keepers who could gain a certificate from an M.F.H. 
 Notably on the west side of the country there are some once- 
 famous fox coverts, which are now always drawn blank. Not 
 only are there no foxes, but covert-side gossips say that out 
 of two thousand pheasants, hand-reared and turned down, 
 only six hundred were shot. What became of the rest only 
 Mr. Keeper knows, and his master would no more question 
 him about them than about foxes. The days of big battues 
 are passing, and covert owners find out how they have been 
 I'obbed to supply the markets. May long life and good sjDort 
 be the lot of those who see the error of their Avays, and may 
 all good keepers, who know how to keep foxes and pheasants, 
 get places where they will be appreciated. When another 
 season finds Bob Ward and Bob Worrall alternately rousing 
 the echoes in dear old Bricket may there be plenty of the 
 right animals, and the coverts will sustain their ancient 
 reputation so well regained this season. 
 
 Since the above was written for Bailys Magazine in 
 July, 1882, "dear old Bricket" has well sustained its 
 reputation. 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 117 
 
 On September 26th, 1882, the Old Berkeley met at 
 Mnnden, at half-past six, and with thirty-one and a-half 
 coujDles of nippy Indies, Bob Worrall Avas soon busy with a 
 strong litter, bred in the garden. They were found in the 
 Scrubs ; and a field of about twenty horsemen cut off their 
 retreat, so hounds spent an hour merrily chasing the little 
 rascals with a rare scent, and such a crash of music, till they 
 brought one to hand, and enjoyed an early breakfast in 
 spite of the heat, which was by this time choking, as the 
 sun got up. 
 
 On November 6th, the O.B.H. met at Munden again, and 
 the lesson learnt during cub-hunting, that the cubs would 
 make for their home in the garden, enabled some of us to 
 see a brace killed after short sharp scurries from the Scrubs, 
 when only the chosen few got away on terms with the nippy 
 ladies. Then came a clipper in the afternoon, from Black 
 Green Wood away by the Old Toll Bar to the gorse and 
 Winch Hill Wood, racing to Serge Hill, where Mr. Solly's litter 
 of cubs diverted the attention of hounds, till Mr. Longman 
 viewed the old stager away, when twelve and a-half couples 
 came to his horn with a few lucky horsemen, to see them 
 race back to Bricket, where the whipj)er-in holloaed him 
 over the road to Black Green Wood, and they drove him 
 through Burston's, out across Col. Bigg's Park, over the 
 road where they were brought to their noses, and Bob 
 Worrall hit him off towards Gorhambury ; but a storm came 
 on, so scent failed, and that fox well deserved to save 
 his brush. 
 
 On the 10th, the Hertfordshire met at Gorhambury, and 
 had a real good day in Pre Wood, Park Wood, Birch Wood, 
 and Serge Hill to Bricket, but did not kill a fox. 
 
118 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 Oa the 27th the O.B.H. met at Bushey Mill, but did not 
 find till they got to Bricket with this result : — 
 
 I stood on tlie bridge at noontide, 
 
 As Bob AVorrall was drawing the Scrubs, 
 
 And his hounds spread out like demons, 
 To find the wily cubs. 
 
 Then I saw his orange jacket 
 
 In the ploughed field far away, 
 Like a golden goblet shining — 
 "We'll never catch him to-day." 
 
 And far in the hazy distance, 
 
 On that chill November day, 
 The blaze of that orange jacket 
 
 Seemed farther and farther away. 
 
 And like those darlings racing 
 Across the deep ploughed field, 
 
 A flood of thoughts came o'er me, 
 And oaths were not concealed. 
 
 How often, oh, how often, 
 
 In the days that had gone by, 
 
 I had stood on that bridge by noontide 
 For a forward place to try ! 
 
 How often, oh, how often, 
 
 I had wished that the fox would break, 
 On the side towards the brickfield, 
 
 So that the rails we should take ! 
 
 For my mare was hot and restless. 
 And my life was free from care ; 
 
 Now to see hounds racing from me 
 Seemed harder than I could bear. 
 
 I saw the long procession. 
 
 Still passing to and fro ; 
 The young men hot and restless. 
 
 And the old subdued and slow. 
 
 Then I gave one word of warning 
 To the sportsmen in the wood, 
 
 And set the mare a racing 
 As hard as e'er she could. 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 119 
 
 Luckily a ringing fox enabled us to nick in as they came 
 back to Bricket, but they did not kill their fox, though they 
 marked one to ground in High Elms Park. 
 
 On December 1, the Hertfordshire met at Bricket in a 
 hard frost and thick fog, when no one seemed to know what 
 they really did. 
 
 On December 6, in snow and frost the Berkhampstead 
 Buckhounds met at Cuckman's, raced a hind to Leavesden 
 Asylum, where the Avhips were pelted with potatoes by 
 the inmates ; so the deer broke away and Avas again taken^ 
 after a lot of hard work, through Bricket to High Elms — 
 a day that will never be forgotten by those who saw 
 the fun. 
 
 On December 22, the Hertfordshire were there again with 
 a very large holiday field, so did not have much sport, but 
 plenty of fun for old stagers to watch the vagaries of school- 
 boys out on pohies. 
 
 On January 15, the O.B.H. met at Munden, but out of a 
 very large field very few got away to enjoy a never-to-he- 
 forgotten run. From the famous bridge we viewed a great 
 big fox crossing the railway, but there was another in the 
 scrubs which some hounds ran into, but while the huntsman 
 and field stayed for the obsequies fourteen couples went 
 away through Colonel Bigg's Park and Burston's, racing to 
 Cuckman's, where the whip tried in vain to stop them, and 
 they raced through Park Wood, Birch Wood, and Pre Wood, 
 into Gorhambury Park, and killed in the open after fifty 
 minutes as pretty as any one ever saw — at least, so say the 
 lucky fourteen of us who saw it. When we all got together 
 again hounds chopped a fox in Serge Hill and went home 
 with a least of masks ; but one of them hangs up now. facing 
 
120 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 the writer, and perhaps returns his smile at the reminiscences 
 that he brings to mind. 
 
 On the I7th the Berkhampstead Buckhoiinds met at 
 Cuckman's to draw for an outlying stag that had been left 
 out by another pack, but, finding nothing, except a little doe 
 that . had strayed from Gorhambury into Park Wood, the 
 worthy master enlarged a deer near Abbot's Langley, and 
 after a severe run over heavy country round St, Alban's and 
 Bricket took him at Bedmont. 
 
 During the season 1883 — 1884 the first morning with the 
 O.B.H. at Munden, on September 28, gave capital sport in 
 the Scrubs, where Bob Worrall brought a strong cub to hand 
 after an hour's dusting. 
 
 On October 22, the Hertfordshire met at Bricket Wood, 
 but Mr. Hibbert having a shooting party, hounds were taken 
 to Cuckman's, where Ward soon found a fox in Park Wood, 
 hounds running hard towards Bricket, so were stopped and 
 taken back to Pre Wood ; but there was no farther sport to 
 record. 
 
 On November 5, the O.B.H. had a hard day from Munden 
 round about Bricket without scent enough to kill a fox. 
 The Hertfordshire met at Bricket on December 21. one of the 
 saddest days to all old members of the hunt, for it brought 
 grief to our veteran huntsman Bob Ward, and we have not 
 heard his cheery voice with hounds since. They found a fox 
 in Bricket and ran him to ground on the railway near Kite's, 
 so Mr. Hibbert, who was on foot owing to an accident, super- 
 intended the sappers and miners, who soon had him out and 
 hounds reaped their reward. From Serge Hill coverts a 
 brace went away, Ward on the Priest, jumping out with his 
 hounds, but the horse slipped at the drop and went on alone 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 121 
 
 in wake of the hounds, leaving his rider senseless. We who 
 were nearest picked him vip, while Bob Worrall, who was out 
 for a holdiay as usual when the Hertfordshire met at Bricket, 
 helped Charles to stop hounds. Mr. Solly sent his carriage 
 to take Ward home, when sufficiently recovered, and Charles 
 took the horn to find another fox ; but the heart was out of us 
 and we did not care much for hunting, though hounds did 
 their best to catch a fox, and on returning home to think it 
 all over tears may be excused if they ran down hardened 
 cheeks, for we had seen perhaps the last of a dear old friend 
 and one of the best huntsmen that ever carried a horn. 
 Show his equal and we will try to follow him. 
 
 On January 2 the Berkhampstead Buckhounds met at Mr. 
 Bailey's, Cuckman's, a.nd the worthy master gave his followers 
 such a run by Park Wood to Serge Hill, Bedmont, The 
 Hyde, Abbot's Hill, nearly to Hemel Hem^Dsted, round to 
 Leverstock Green, and alongside the railway to Redbourne, 
 Hammond's End, Harpenden Common, Childwick, Hawks- 
 wick, to the Pre and Gorhambury Fish Ponds, where they 
 viewed their stag and took him at Shafford Mill, after a run 
 of two hours and fifty minutes, through deep ground which 
 told its tale on horses, for two at least never came out 
 again. 
 
 On January 7 the Old Berkeley met at Shendish and 
 found a fox at Abbot's Hill, which led them at a great 
 pace by Chamber's Bury to Black-svater, and Furzen Fields to 
 Pre Wood, across Gorhambury Park to the Shrubbery, and 
 killed him by the front door after one hour and ten minutes. 
 Trotted to Serge Hill and Bricket, where they found in the 
 thick brambles, ran through Black Green Wood to the strong 
 coverb bevond the Toll Bar, where, being headed, he came 
 
122 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 back through Burston's, and made his point by the Noke 
 towards Serge Hill, but was viewed and killed near 
 Waterdell, after forty-two minutes' as good hunting as 
 any one would wish to see. 
 
 February 6 gave one of the severest runs ever seen through 
 Bricket, or perhaps across country, in Hertfordshire. The 
 Berkhampstead met at Haxter's End, a railway bridge between 
 Berkhampstead and Boxmoor, and Mr. Rawle laid his little 
 ladies on to a stag that went away from Mr. Williamson's 
 Bottom Farm near Berkhampstead. 
 
 They raced up and down the steep valleys by Wheipley 
 Hill, Bourne Grove, Westbrook-Hay, Shendish, Scatterall's, 
 Langley Bury, crossing the London road, canal, and railway 
 at Hunton Bridge, where they checked after fifty minutes. On 
 across Lord Rokeby's, by the Gullet and Garston's to Bricket, 
 straight through the Scrubs, where some one rode up along- 
 side, in the deep-holding sides : " Call this dear old Bricket, 
 do you ? D — d old Bricket ! I say." But we who knew the 
 way smiled benignly, while others struggled in our wake 
 across Munden, through the river, up to Aldenham, over the 
 grass to Borcham Wood, Furze Hill, Arkeley, Barnet, Maze 
 Lane, across the grass valley to Totteridge, where we took 
 him, after a run of two hours and fifty minutes, in which 
 hounds ran twenty miles as the crow flies, and nearer thirty 
 the way they went. Out of twenty who started with them, 
 seven horsemen saw the stag taken, including the Master and 
 his staff. 
 
 On the 20th they met at Harpenden Common, and ran 
 hard to St. Alban's, then across Gorhambury to Pre Wood, 
 Park Wood, Cuckman's Burston's, into Bricket ; then round by 
 Park Street and St. Julian's, into Pre Wood again ; and took 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 123 
 
 their deer near Shafford Mill, after one hour and thirty-five 
 minutes, mostly at racing pace. 
 
 On the 22nd, the Hertfordshire met at Bricket Wood, with 
 Charles Harris hunting the lady pack. They found in 
 Black Green Wood, and ran to the Toll Bar, where he was 
 headed, and Charles hit him off in Col. Bigg's Park, ran 
 through Burston's to Park Street and Hedge's Farm, where 
 he saved his brush. They found another in Birch Wood, ran 
 by Maiden Crouch to the Beech Tree, round by Bottom Farm 
 to Gorhambury Park, away by Kettle wells and Hog Lane to 
 Dean End, down to Redbourne Mill, where he was viewed 
 up to Flower's Farm, and hunted to Revel End, across 
 Holtsmore End Green to Hay Wood and Tag's End nearly 
 to Flamstead, turned across Flamsteadbury, down to Red- 
 bourne and Harpendenbury into Knott Wood and Rot- 
 hampstead Park, where hounds were stopped at dark, after 
 running two hours. The best day of that season. 
 
 On March 10 the Old Berkeley had a twelve o'clock meet 
 at Munden, and killed a fox after a short gallop in Bricket 
 Wood. 
 
 On September 23, 1884, the Old Berkeley opened the 
 ball at Munden at 6.3U, and soon found in Bricket, where 
 they killed a strong cub after an hour of gcod hound 
 work. 
 
 On November 24 they met at Munden, where a large field 
 assembled to welcome Mr. Hibbert's bride to her southern 
 home. Cold snow showers spoiled scent, but they killed 
 a fox in the morning, and had a sharp gallop in the after- 
 noon from Long Wood to Serge Hill, where the earths had 
 been opened. 
 
 On December 5 the Hertfordshire met at Bricket, and 
 found in Blackboy Wood, running to Cuckman's, Park Wood, 
 
124 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 round Birch Wood, through Park Wood again, and St. 
 Julian's to ground near Park Street Station. Found another 
 in Blackwater, and ran to ground in Abbot's Hill late in 
 the afternoon. 
 
 The run of the season with the Old Berkeley was on January 
 19th, when they met at Mr. Charles Barnett's, Edge Grove, 
 Aldenham. They found a brace of foxes in one of Mr. 
 Durrant's coverts at High Commons, raced over the grass by 
 Shenley, below Porter's, by Colney Chaj^el, to Stroud Wood, 
 round by Hedge's to Burston's, and into Bricket, where he 
 went to ground, but made his way through a long drain, and 
 was viewed, stiff and stark, crawling towards Waterdell, so 
 Bob Worrall's nipjDy ladies reaped their well-earned reward 
 after a run of an hour and fifteen minutes, during which very 
 few of the field stood up all the time. 
 
 They had another red letter day on the 31st in spite of the 
 gale and soaking rain, in which no one would have thought 
 possible for scent to serve hounds. A great gaunt varmint 
 was viewed across the railway by sharp eyes from the bridge 
 and hounds came to the holloa, settling to his line as if tied 
 to it ; so drove him straight to the open by Garston's to Serge 
 Hill and Bedmont, to Gorhambury Park, where they caught 
 view and raced nearly to Bedbourne, turned up across Mr. 
 George's to Cherry Tree Farm, nearly to Hemel Hempstead, 
 turned to Megdell Farm and viewed their fox close before 
 them ; but a fresh one jumped up in view from a hedgerow 
 and, wuth the pack close at his brush, ran to ground in Flux 
 Bushes just outside Gorhambury Park, after hounds had been 
 running altogether one hour and forty-five minutes. Even one 
 of Walding's best scarlet coats was soaked through that day. 
 
 On February 6 the Hertfordshire met at Bricket Wood 
 and had capital sport with, no doubt, the same foxes, for one 
 
BRICKET WOOD. 
 
 125 
 
 was run to ground close to Munden and another went from 
 Pre Wood to Redbourne and back to ground in Pre Wood. 
 
 On March 4 the Berkhampstead Buckhounds met at 
 Holtsmore End, ran across Flamsteadbury, past Redbourne 
 by Harpenden Bury to Knott Wood, where they lost most of 
 their field at the railway, and raced with a few knowing old 
 stagers across Rothampstead Park, Hammond's End, Beeson's 
 End, Shafford Mill, The Pre, St. Stephen's, Cuckman's, Park 
 Street, and through Bricket to Waterdell Farm, where they 
 took their stag after a good hunting run which was seen by 
 a very select few. 
 
 On March 16 the Old Berkeley had a long draw from 
 Munden, round Bricket, and when they found a fox there was 
 no scent to hunt him. 
 
 The same on the oOth ; when the Hertfordshire met at 
 Gorhambury they could only hunt very slowly to Bricket, but 
 in the afternoon had a nice little gallop round Gorhambury 
 without a kill. 
 
 So ends the history of dear old Bricket up to the present ; 
 but the covert is still there and reports are satisfactory, so 
 every sportsman hopes that the two new Masters will have 
 luck and open seasons to show sport from this grand old 
 covert. 
 
THE RUN OF THE (FESTIVE) SEASON 
 CHRISTMAS, 1878. 
 
THE RUN OF THE (FESTIVE) SEASON. 
 CHRISTMAS, 1878. 
 
 
 %c- is three 
 weeks 
 
 ^^ now 
 
 '^' ' ^- since we 
 nave 
 seen a pack of hounds in 
 the field and, if the Aveather 
 prophets are to be beheved, 
 it will be at least three 
 more before we are released 
 
 from this ! ! 
 
 ! but no, it is wrong 
 
 to use bad language, for, 
 after all, the frost will do good, although one week of it 
 ought to please anybody, and scent will be all the better 
 when we do start again. 
 
 Every Christmas it is my custom to retire to the smoking- 
 room after dinner to enjoy a very old Partaga from a box 
 kept for this especial occasion, and never used on any other 
 unless it is after a good run, when I sit down to write an 
 
 K 
 
130 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 account of it. It may have been the connection between the 
 two perhaps that set me thinking, but on Christmas night, 
 when settled down as usual in a very happy mood, despite 
 the hard weather, I pulled out my old hunting diary, which 
 is always a source of enjoyment, and began a retrospect of 
 the year 1878. New Year's Eve, that is to say, December 31, 
 1877, was the first entry that caught my eye. The Hertford- 
 shire Hounds met at Ickleford Gate, near Hitchin, and I was 
 trying to recall some of the principal incidents of the day, 
 which, if I remember right, was a very enjoyable one. 
 
 Somehow or other I found myself out with the hounds, 
 riding an old cob, which, though she is a good hack, and 
 often when coming home from dining out, I declare she is 
 the best in England — how is it that they all seem so at that 
 time? — I never rode her hunting in all my life, so what 
 induced me to do so now goodness only knows. Anyhow, 
 there we were. We had boxed down by rail to Harpenden. 
 
 It was getting late in the day, and we w^ere somewhere 
 near Hitchin. The field was getting reduced, and the Master 
 gave orders that if we did not find in the next covert, hounds 
 were to go home, when there was a rumour of a brace of 
 foxes having taken up their abode in a small spinney near 
 some cottages, and done some havoc amongst poultry. Faces 
 looked brighter, for, as there were only a few of the right 
 sort left to enjoy the sport, a good run was to be expected. 
 
 As luck would have it, my groom came along with the 
 little grey horse, fresh as paint, so it did not take long to 
 change and trot on to the cottages, where Charles, with the 
 hounds round him, was talking to an old woman, while some 
 of the field were poking about in the ruins of an old barn 
 where the foxes had been seen. 
 
THE RUN OF THE (FESTIVE) SEASON. 131 
 
 " Do kill the varmints, there's a good gentleman. They've 
 took my Christmas turkey." 
 
 " All right, old lady, and you saw them in the garden this 
 morning?" said Cliarles. "Don't make a noise or we shall 
 chop him." 
 
 " Will yer trot on to that hedgerow, please, sir, and whip it 
 along ? " 
 
 Away we went, and out jumped the vixen. One holloa, 
 and the beauties are close at her, down to a lane near a big 
 covert. Confound it ! a man standing in the lane headed 
 her short, and she just had time to lie in the ditch while 
 hounds jumped over her, and she sneaked back right to us. 
 We pull up to holloa but hounds rattle into covert, and just 
 before them we see the old dog, who has been running the 
 same line without our having seen him get up. Jumping 
 into covert, I drop my whip — a favourite one — but no time 
 to pick it up, and we rattle along through the covert. 
 
 Hulloa ! here's a brook, and those boggy sides don't look 
 like safety, but here comes C. W. on his chestnut. He 
 knows the country, and by the confident way he is riding 
 away from hounds it is ten to one he knows a bridge, so we 
 turn down a ride right-handed, from which we can still see 
 hounds running hard, 
 
 " W^here are you going ? " says C. " I don't know," said I, 
 " where's a bridge ? " There's Charles with his hounds ; he 
 must have jumped it, but there is Jem, too, on my old mare. 
 So he must have found a bridge, but we haven't passed one, 
 and can't go back now. It looks all right here, and is not so 
 big as the water at a show, and we can do that. Here goes ! 
 Well done, little horse ! It is a peculiarity with this horse 
 always to give himself a little shake after jumping a big 
 
 K 2 
 
132 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 place ; whether it is laughter, or just to see if he is all right, 
 I do not know, but he did not omit it on this occasion. 
 Where are the hounds now ? They have turned in covert, and 
 are clean out of sight and hearing ; nor on reaching the open 
 can I see or hear anything. What is this dark crimson 
 stain on my scarlet ? Blood ! which is it, horse or man ? oh, 
 it is only a scratch on the face coming down the covert ; but 
 how it seems to hurt now, like a burn. Here's a pretty go ! 
 hounds gone away, and not a soul in sight. So let's gallop 
 on in the most likely direction. Where are we ? that covert 
 we just left must be Roaring Meg ; but there is High Down, 
 and that house in the hollow looks like Wellbury, but they 
 can't all be so close together. How jumbled up the country 
 seems. There goes a horseman over the hill, so that's all 
 right. We are galloping along with an easy, thoroughbred 
 swing for some distance till we come to an awful fence at the 
 bottom. Now I know where we are. Whatever possessed 
 me to come this way, knowing that it is nearly a mile long 
 and quite unjumpable ? What is this stealing along towards 
 me over the ridges on the opposite hill ? the fox, by all that's 
 beautiful ! He must have run a ring, and is coming back to 
 his old haunt. Now, if he only comes on through the fence 
 without seeing me, what a bit of luck. A clump of trees 
 that I never noticed before — they must have sprung up on 
 purpose — afforded me a shelter. Stand still, horse ! There 
 he comes in that quiet, confidential way in which a fox always 
 travels, one eye and ear forward and the other back. He 
 comes through the fence and close up to me. What a 
 splendid brush ! I shall know what to do with that. Now 
 for a holloa to quicken him on his way ; but my tongue sticks 
 to the mouth, and refuses to open. A good job too most men 
 
THE RUN OF THE (FESTIVE) SEASOX. 133 
 
 will say ; for here come the hounds hunting beautifully, and 
 we have a full view of them while sitting there waiting. As 
 they come nearer I can make out Layman and Limner 
 leading ; there is old Myrtle, too, I thought she was dead ; 
 and that unrounded one must be my own beautiful puppy. 
 But I know he is dead three weeks ago. How did he get 
 here ? But now they are scrambling through the hedge, so 
 we will turn our heads the right way, and give them a cheer, 
 but it is no use. Hard lines, too, for no one who has been 
 with them can get over the fence, so we have them all to 
 ourselves. No voice, no horn, and no whip ! Was ever such 
 bad luck ? However they are on good terms with their fox, 
 and seem to glide along like phantoms, while the grey lays 
 himself out again and seems to fly. On we go through the 
 covert. There is no fear of the brook now, we know where 
 to have it and take it easily. Up a ride to the lane they 
 race into the open again, and there stands the old woman, 
 waving her apron. 
 
 " He's close before them ! they will kill him directly ! 
 Here's your whip, sir." 
 
 " Well done, mother ! here's a sovereign to get another 
 turkey." 
 
 A young farmer on a bay colt cuts in just at the nick of 
 time. 
 
 Yonder he goes through the rails into the garden. 
 
 Tally-ho ! Forrard you beauties, we never fear timber with 
 you. Come up, boss ! Well done again ; if your mistress 
 could only see you now ! There is a crash behind as the colt 
 comes through. We ought to have let him go first and save 
 us the trouble ; it is no good looking back, for we can't be 
 bothered with loose horses now, and the old woman will look 
 
134 TALES FOR SPOllTSMEX. 
 
 to them. Tally-ho ! tally-ho ! they catch a view and race him. 
 Loo ! Loo ! Loo ! Who-whooi^ ! they've got him. I jump 
 from my horse and get him by the scruff of the neck to hold 
 him up. 
 
 Confound it, he's not dead yet. What makes him squeak 
 so ? and I'll be hanged if he is not licking my face. 
 
 Whether any of the field came up I do not know, for I 
 woke up and found I had laid hold of my favourite fox-terrier 
 who had been lying on my knee, and expressing her indigna- 
 tion at being so rudely disturbed. Luckily it was her master 
 and no one else, or she would not have been content with 
 licking their face. Although this has taken some time to 
 write it did not take long to dream, for on waking I found 
 the cigar which had dropped from my hand, and inflicted a 
 slight burn on the chin, no doubt when I lost my whip, was 
 still alight. Hunting news is scarce this week, as no hounds 
 have been out. So, as I have enjoyed such a run, and 
 accounted for a fox, single-handed, without the risk of riding 
 to hounds, I give an account of it as it happened. Having 
 spent a pleasant Christmas in spite of the weather, I hope 
 all other good sportsmen have done the same, and wish them 
 a happy New Year and open weather. 
 
 P.S. — Horray ! if it isn't a thaw this morning, and there is 
 a chance of our getting out with hounds again this year, 
 which we did. 
 
HUNT SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
HUNT SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 FEW words on 
 the above sub- 
 ject will not 
 come amiss, 
 and at the 
 same time will 
 draw the at- 
 tention of 
 readers to an 
 evil which I 
 am sorry to 
 say is yearly 
 on the in- 
 crease. This year especially the cry of hard times offers an 
 extra excuse, and in several countries I am sorry to hear com- 
 plaints of shortness of money and difficulty in raising the 
 required funds, whilst fears are already expressed that sport 
 will have to be curtailed in proportion. This is not as it 
 should be, for in spite of hard times and general cutting 
 down of expenditure, hunting should be the very last to 
 suffer. There is no need here to say anything about its 
 advantages, but it would be a very bad day for this country 
 
188 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 if hunting were to be given up, and all the sportsmen who 
 form the backbone of England's greatness were driven to 
 seek their pursuits in other climes. There is not much fear 
 of this at present, for there is no falling off in the number of 
 packs kept. Private packs and those kept up entirely at the 
 expense of the Master number about twelve, and all honour 
 is due to those noblemen and gentlemen who generously 
 keep up princely establishments to provide sport for the 
 benefit of their country. With them at present we have 
 nothing to do ; it is with the subscription packs, where the 
 Master is to a great extent dependent on his followers for 
 support. The old idea of a Master living out of his hounds 
 is a thing of the past, for no one nowadays ever undertakes 
 the Mastership of a pack without ample private means which 
 he is willing to devote to make up all deficiencies in the 
 hunt, besides a largely increased outlay on his own account ; 
 but this is no reason why the subscription lists should be 
 allowed to fall off, as they so often do when Master and 
 Treasurer are too easy-going. 
 
 With a subscription pack the office of secretary and 
 treasurer is almost, if not quite, as important as that of 
 Master, for while one is responsible for the sport in the field, 
 and all belonging to the management, the other has to find 
 the means wherewith to carry it on; and in some countries, 
 especially those near town, this is by no means an agreeable 
 post. A sportsman, whether he lives in the country or only 
 runs down from town to hunt, gives the treasurer no trouble. 
 These pay their subscriptions liberally and punctually at the 
 beginning of the season, knowing what obligations they are 
 under to others who provide sport and find land for them to 
 ride over. But in every country there are a lot of shufflers. 
 
UUNT SUBSCRIPTIONS. 131) 
 
 Patent screws, or as a very irate treasurer once remarked 
 over an incorrigible, " Can't find a word bad enough for 
 them ; but call them what you like, darn them — they are all 
 alike, and only one place fit to hold them," The excuses 
 these make when the treasurer calls on them would be 
 ludicrous sometimes were it not for the evil it brings about. 
 When a man subscribes to a hunt he identifies himself with 
 it, and is careful to keep up its reputation ; but those who 
 subscribe nothing have no identity, and do not care what 
 they do, so it is just ten to one if needless damage is com- 
 mitted it is one of these who is the culprit. There is a large 
 class of shuffiers living in every country who pass for good 
 fellows, and every one thinks that they subscribe to the 
 hounds, yet they manage somehow or other to evade the 
 treasurer. They promise to pay, and even put down their 
 names, but get out on some excuse or other; and if they 
 happen to own a covert or two, or perhaps have a little in- 
 fluence, the Master puts up with the loss sooner than make 
 a row. Often the excuse is, " Oh, the Master is a rich man ; 
 why should a poor man like me subscribe for his pleasure ? " 
 Ko one knows this but the Master and treasurer, so the 
 shufiler is enabled to keep an extra horse or two at the 
 expense of the country, so to speak ; and this goes on till, 
 perhaps, there comes a change of Master, and all have to put 
 their shoulders to the wheel to find a good one. The shuffler 
 grumbles at having to put his hand in his own pocket ; but 
 now is the treasurer's opportunity. He is Master ^jro tem., 
 and it he is half sharp he will not only have his year's pay- 
 ment, but, fearing no consequences, he may even obtain 
 arrears by threatening exposure. In this way a new Master 
 often finds a big subscription list, with no end of promises 
 
140 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 and even guarantees. So he enters on his duties with a 
 light heart. He likes the hounds, takes great interest in 
 them, lays out money accordingly to improve them as much 
 as possible, takes a house in the neighbourhood, and being, of 
 course, well received, he entertains in return, and lives well 
 up to his income, trusting to the subscription to keep the 
 hounds. When the season begins all seems to go well. 
 Invitations come in for the Master to dine and sleep the 
 night before meeting in outlying districts. The hounds are 
 extensively patronised by the local gentry ; but with a few 
 exceptions there it ends. Money is not forthcoming, and too 
 often, we fear, it is the fault of the treasurer, who does not 
 do his duty towards the hunt, failing to compel those who 
 come out with them to subscribe in proportion. We are not 
 speaking of the farmers, for of course they who find the land 
 should never be asked for a subscription towards the hounds, 
 and it would be hard lines on our best friends if they could 
 not have their sport for nothing. It is the shufflers of all 
 classes who are constantly out hunting, without ever sub- 
 scribing to hounds, that I would censure and if possible bring 
 to shame. 
 
 The countiy shuffler is bad enough, but the real pests of 
 the hunting field are those individuals who keep a horse or 
 two and hunt from town. The rail takes them anywhere, so 
 when one country gets too hot another is open to them. 
 They generally hunt in couples, and sometimes in gangs, 
 when the nuisance becomes intolerable. Having no interest 
 in any hunt, they do not care how they behave or what 
 damage they do. The treasurer can do little with them, 
 for when he speaks to them or warns them they shift the 
 scene for a bit, or keep out of his way till hounds are running 
 
HUXT SUBSCRIPTIONS. 141 
 
 and he is too occupied to look after them. Now and then 
 they catch a Tartar, however, and get a lesson to remember. 
 Perhaps the Master catches them tripping and makes an 
 example ; or, may be, the treasurer gives them a few whole- 
 some home truths before all the field ; but best still when a 
 farmer of the right sort gets a hint as to their character and 
 watches his opportunity to give them a caution. What 
 numberless tales could be told of their discomfiture, for no 
 one has any sympathy for them. Now what can be done 
 wdth them ? Why should sportsmen and farmers who keep 
 and support hounds be annoyed and over-ridden by a lot of 
 tinker-tailor fellows who do no good to anybody ? 
 
 Now every hunt has, or ought to have, its own uniform 
 dress or button ; and if the Master would request his sup- 
 porters to wear it at all times, they would not only be known 
 at home, but their badge would be recognised when on a 
 visit to other hunts. The slovenly fashion, of appearing in 
 mufti has a good deal to answer for; and as nowadays a 
 treasurer has often great difiiculty in knowing his own 
 subscribers, how is he to know other people's ? So if a big 
 subscriber to another hunt appears in mufti, he must not be 
 surprised to hear a few remarks to which he would not be 
 subject if recognised as a member of a neighbouring hunt. 
 Let it be once known that all subscribers and members of a 
 hunt are to wear a distinctive badge, the treasurers would 
 have little difficulty in spotting strangers, making out a black 
 list of shufflers which they might occasionally compare with 
 one another, and bring the incorrigibles to light. The very 
 worst of the black sheep would not care to be shown up too 
 prominently, and they might soon be brought to see the 
 error of their ways. Far be it from any sportsman to forbid 
 
142 
 
 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 a poor man from following hounds, but all should contribute 
 according to their means. 
 
 In conclusion, I would give a word of advice to hunt 
 treasurers. While every one is grumbling and making 
 excuses about hard times, your Master of Hounds is going 
 through the same ordeal. He cannot beg, so on you rests 
 the responsibility of keeping the hunt together. Make 
 every one pay according to his means ; and though you will 
 come in for a good deal of abuse from the wrong sort, you 
 know that you have the support and good wishes of all true 
 sportsmen, who always look with distrust on a man who 
 abuses a hunt treasurer. 
 
A LEGITIMATE SWINDLE. 
 
A LEGITIMATE SWINDLE. 
 
 
 -^ m^m 
 
 " _ "" •» 
 
 it happened some years ago, and of the principal actors 
 in it one whom we will call old Screwtight is dead, while 
 young Tom Smith has gone abroad, I alone being left to tell 
 the tale, it is no breach of confidence and can harm no one, so 
 I will give it as it occurred, and perhaps the moral may be 
 of service as a caution to others of the genus Screwtight. 
 The Blankshire Hounds were then at the zenith of their 
 popularity, and showing such sport as has rarely fallen to the 
 lot of their followers before or since. The Master was a keen 
 sportsman, hunting them liimself and doing everything to the 
 
 L 
 
146 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 best of his ability. He had but one foult — being rather short 
 of money, but, sooner than lose his services, we made up for 
 this by increased subscription, which answered well enough 
 amongst the good fellows in the county ; but of course there 
 was some trouble amongst outsiders, especially to keep the 
 field select, so it was necessary to appoint some one as 
 treasurer and secretary to look after these very strictly. 
 The choice fell upon me, and being well backed up by the 
 rest of the field, it was easy enough to collect the money and 
 keep ordinary strangers from coming often without subscribing. 
 However, with old Screwtight it was no go. Though of 
 course cold-shouldered by all, the old beggar had no conscience, 
 and with a hide like a rhinoceros no dunning or bullying 
 would ever draw him. He would just leave us for a bit and 
 visit other packs in the same way, then drop down on us 
 again ; so we treated him with contempt and left him alone. 
 There was no excuse for him, for he was a rich man and gave 
 long prices for his horses or anything for his own benefit 
 and comfort ; so when he came to ask if I knew of a horse to 
 suit him he gave me a chance, which of course I did not let 
 slip. The " crack " rider of the hunt was Tom Smith, a young 
 farmer who bought all the incorrigibles in the county, made 
 them into hunters by his fine riding, and generally sold them 
 at a considerable profit. It happened just then that he had an 
 unusually good-looking one on hand. Our Master had 
 bought it cheap enough at Tattersall's some time before for 
 its looks alone, but finding it had such a temper as to be 
 dangerous amongst hounds, neither he nor his servants could 
 manage it, so he sold it to Tom for £25 ; and under his tuition 
 it was becoming a useful animal to any one who could ride 
 above the average, though not the sort to suit a duffer. It 
 
A LEGITIMATE SWINDLE. 147 
 
 was a good-shaped, long, low bay gelding, six years old, well 
 bred, and a wonderful fencer when in the humour, but the 
 least thing that upset his temper, it took a very good man to 
 make him jump. Luckily Tom was not riding him on this 
 particular day, but when asked about the horse he invited us 
 both over to the farm to lunch next day to see it and have 
 a ride, which we arranged to do. This just suited old 
 Screwtight, who would sponge on any one, and reckoned he 
 would have a pleasant ride and good lunch, whether he bought 
 or not. When he had moved otf after the hounds, Tom 
 turned round with a wink. 
 
 " What shall I get out of the old beggar ? Lord B. offered 
 me £80 for the horse with all faults, but I would not let him 
 have it in case of accidents — he is such a good fellow ; but 
 this old Screwtight, we'll make him pay." 
 
 "Ask £150," said I, " if he likes the look of the horse, and 
 can ride him at the farm. Then, if he beats you down, as 
 he is sure to do, take £125, and give me £25 for the hunt, 
 which will stojo his mouth in case of a row. The horse is 
 well worth £100 to any one who can ride him, and if the old 
 buffer can't do that it isn't your fault." 
 
 Tom's farm was about five miles from my place, so next 
 morning I cantered over on a favourite old hunter that would 
 lark anywhere, and never turned his head, so we could give 
 Tom a lead if necessary. Arrived about twelve o'clock, I 
 found old Screwtight already in the stable examining the 
 bay, and evidently pleased with his looks. Tom, booted and 
 spurred as usual, was standing by, throwing in a word now and 
 then, or answering questions as the case might be. Coming out 
 with the excuse to take my horse, he whispered, " Keep him 
 in at luncheon while I slip out and mount, then there won't 
 be a row." Raising his voice, he continued, " We had better 
 
 I, 2 
 
148 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 go in to luncheon and have them out afterwards ; don't you 
 think so, Mr. Screwtight ? " The ride over had sharpened 
 the old beggar's appetite, as if that were necessary with one 
 of his class, so we plied him well, priming him with old brown 
 sherry till it must have warmed his heart, and he hardly knew 
 himself. I kept him talking so he did not miss Tom, who 
 got a good half hour's start, which enabled him to mount the 
 bay, and give him a drilling before we went out. 
 
 Screwtight preferred mounting his own horse first, and 
 seeing the other perform, which just suited Tom, of course, 
 though the bay happened to be in the sweetest possible temper, 
 and behaved as though he was the quietest, best-mannered 
 animal in the kingdom. There was a rare larking ground 
 round the farm, and of course the bay knew every fence. 
 We were soon mounted, and Tom led the way. It is always 
 a great treat to see a good man and horse jumping when they 
 understand one another. Old Screwtight did not jump much 
 himself, but watched the performance with evident j)leasure, 
 and we could see he had made up his mind to buy. He 
 mounted him, and even followed me over a flight of hurdles 
 so pleased did he seem. To make a long story short, they 
 soon began to talk about price ; and after a lot of higgling, 
 during which more sherry was consumed, old Screwtight 
 gave a cheque for £125, and the horse was to be sent to the 
 Anchor stables, where his groom was at present located. Torn 
 was delighted, never having made so much out of a deal 
 before, so gladly handed over the £25 for the hunt, and laid 
 out the rest in the purchase of two more horses. 
 
 A hard frost set in just then, so old Screwtight, having no 
 chance of trying his new purchase with hounds, had to content 
 himself with admiring his fine shape and showing him to his 
 friends at his stables in town, where he had taken his stud 
 
A LEGITIMATE SWINDLE. 149 
 
 on the first appearance of frost. The first day of hunting he 
 brought him down by train to have a day with us. Now, if 
 there was one thing more than another likely to upset that 
 horse, it was traveUing in a box. But when they arrived at 
 the country station, the train being late, he had to hurry to 
 the meet, so there was no time for a row, and luckily there 
 were three or four others for him to follow on the road ; but 
 when he arrived at the covert-side and saw the hounds, we 
 could see in a minute that his monkey was up, and only waitino- 
 an opportunity for a jolly shine. It soon came, hounds found, 
 and away we went, all riding like schoolboys let out for a 
 holiday after the frost. Old Screwtight, looking the picture 
 of misery, tried in vain to hold him ; it was evidently one 
 of his going days, and go he would right up to the hounds 
 as if Tom were still on him ; but he soon found his mistake, 
 and getting tired of the loose bucketing seat and heavy hands 
 of his rider, he began his old tricks to get rid of him. Going 
 forty miles an hour at a small fence he stopped short, shooting 
 his rider like a catapult, and followed the hounds alone till 
 they killed. Luckily the old chap fell soft, so was not hurt, 
 and three or four good Samaritans stopped to help him, 
 though he was well known as a screw, so not much sympathy 
 was shown when he told the tale how he had been done by 
 Tom, and that he would return the horse or have the law of 
 him. So, knowing how Tom had paid his subscription for 
 him, they informed him of the fact and shut his mouth. 
 The horse was sent to Tattersall's, and somehow found his 
 way back to Tom's stables, where he soon attained such a 
 reputation, that a noble lord gave £200 for him at Tom's sale 
 before he went abroad. 
 
DRAG HUNTING. 
 
DRAG HUNTING. 
 
 ^) ULLO: What next? 
 The idea of any respec- 
 table author devoting 
 his time to such a sub- 
 ject ! " is the remark 
 that I fancy will be ma^e by many a sportsman of the 
 old school on reading the above heading, but my object in 
 ■writing is to show how a pack of hounds may flourish and 
 afford great fun (no one would wish to call it sport) in many 
 a countrv where game does not exist ; and, even if it did, it 
 
1.54 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN'. 
 
 might be impossible to follow hounds on horseback, unless a 
 line is picked out. 
 
 For instance, in the vicinity of towns or places intersected 
 by railways, wire and iron fencing, mines or big woods, and 
 even in some parts of Scotland, amongst mountains, crags, 
 and ravines which no horse could climb, good runs might be 
 enjoyed with a drag, for we can avoid all these, and the line 
 can be taken over a country which, however stiff it may be 
 in the way of fencing, horses can follow hounds without fear 
 of being stopped by impossibilities. Some people would 
 sooner pursue what they call " legitimate sport " in the most 
 impracticable country, and under the most disadvantageous 
 circumstances ; but to my mind, fond as I am of all kinds of 
 true hunting stag, fox, or hare, it is poor fun to be stopped 
 by a railway (both gates locked and no bridges) while hounds 
 are in full cry, and probably not see them again until the 
 finish, even if one is lucky enough to get there. 
 
 Every year, riding straight to hounds in some countries 
 becomes more and more difficult, so that a man who knows 
 the country with its railways and canals and how to cross 
 them, although he may never jump a fence, often gets on 
 better than the harder riding division, who are liable to be 
 pounded by some obstacle that no horse could possibly get 
 over or through. There is a great deal of prejudice against 
 drag-hunting amongst sportsmen, I know, but though I 
 should be the last to advocate this kind of amusement when 
 good sport is already shown by other packs with which drag- 
 hounds would interfere, I never can see why they should not 
 be established in many countries where hunting men are 
 forced to exist without ever being cheered by the sight or 
 sound of hound and horn. As to prejudice, how many men 
 
DRAG HUNTING. . 155 
 
 who don scarlet and go out coffee-housing ever see a fox or 
 care what hounds are doing so long as they can ride about 
 and show themselves ? 
 
 If any one were ever to mention a drag, these would be the 
 first to condemn the practice, because it would do away with 
 half their show and gossip ; but if a drag were laid from a 
 favourite covert, and their hounds dropped in for a good run, 
 they would just watch them away, and settle down to jog- 
 along the lanes as usual, picking up accounts of the wonder- 
 ful run on the way home, and detailing it afterwards as 
 though they had been in the first fiight all through, so they 
 would be just as happy. 
 
 The drag is by no means a modern invention, as some 
 people think, for in several old sporting books I see mention 
 of drag, or rather trails being laid, chiefly for a lark, or some- 
 times to enter young hounds, and once it was the means of 
 deciding a great match between two packs of fox-hounds on 
 Newmarket Heath, where no fox could have stood the pace. 
 
 Putting aside all prejudice, let me deal with the many 
 advantages which are to be derived from this amusement, 
 which, to say the least, brings hunting in a certain shape 
 within reach of many who would be otherwise unable to 
 enjoy it. In the first place, there is no time spent in draw- 
 ing coverts, so this is an advantage to men of business with 
 whom time is an object. Then the line may be a short 
 one, over a stiff country at a great pace, like a steeple-chase, 
 to suit a fast set of riders, or, by giving the dragsman more 
 law and proper instructions, he can take them over an easier 
 country at a pace that would suit an old gentleman on a cob, 
 and often show a really good hunting run if properly 
 managed, so that even a huntsman might be deceived if he 
 
156 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 dropped in with them by accident without knowing what 
 they were running. Checks can be made when necessary by 
 lifting the drag, and all railways, canals, lanes with deep 
 drops, bogs, and impracticable places are avoided by a good 
 man who understands his business, while those cantankerous 
 individuals who exist on a few acres in every country, and 
 object to sport in any shape or form, can be as carefully 
 avoided ; and it is as well to give these sort a wide berth at 
 all times, and not tread on their toes. Wheat fields or 
 newly-sown lands can be avoided, and the line kept on 
 the headlands, and no good dragsman would ever cross a 
 field where cattle or sheep were at large, so the damage done 
 by a pack of drag-hounds crossing the country is reduced 
 to a minimum. 
 
 Permission is, of course, asked of the landed proprietors 
 and farmers whether hounds may go across their land, and 
 such is the love of sport inherent in the breasts of all true 
 Englishmen that only in a few instances is it ever refused. 
 Of course in such cases the drag does a bit of road -work, or 
 else takes a line across a better sort of neighbour's land with- 
 out spoiling the run in any way. Another advantage is, that 
 drag-hunting can be followed all the year through if one is so 
 disposed. When the ground is soft enough a line might be 
 taken across commons and rough uncultivated lands, even 
 in June or July, and it is a first-rate way of breaking young 
 horses and getting them used to hounds without the crowd 
 or bustle of the regular season. In this way I have ridden 
 to hounds some few days every month in the year ; for when 
 we kept a small pack some years ago, so soon as the grass 
 was cut and carried we used to go out, either on our hacks 
 or young horses, and steal a gallop — round, home, or across 
 
DRAG HUNTING. 157 
 
 a friendly neighbour — at five in the morning, while the dew 
 was on the ground, and all good folks still abed. 
 
 Of course, jumping was out of the question, but we always 
 had plenty of that through the season, so it did not matter. 
 We tried our young or unentered hounds, and had rare fun 
 sometimes in these early gallops. Our season began in 
 September or October, whenever the ground was soft and 
 fences clear enough ; so, when the regular hunting season 
 commenced, our horses were thoroughly fit to go and stand a 
 day with any hounds. 
 
 Let us suppose that a few gentlemen wish to start a pack 
 in a neighbourhood where no hounds exist at present, one of 
 whom is willing to take the management and hunt them, 
 finding his own horses ; but the hunt will provide a horse for 
 the kennel huntsman to act as whipper-in. Having obtained 
 permission from the landed proprietors, they find that they 
 will be able to get a line twice a week throughout the season. 
 For this they will require ten couple of hounds, so as to have 
 eight couple in the field and a reserve in case of accident, 
 illness, &c. Nineteen or twenty inch hounds will be found 
 to be the best sizes for the purpose, as bigger hounds get 
 away too fast, while lesser-sized ones cannot get quick 
 enough over big fences, and are apt to be ridden over. 
 Some people think that anything will do to run a drag, so 
 that some kennels contain a ragged scratch lot, consisting of 
 three or four couples, blear-eyed, crooked-legged twenty-four 
 inch foxhounds, two or three of unrounded nineteen inch 
 harriers, and perhaps a few little beagles, which are all 
 expected to run together ; but there is no reason why drag- 
 hounds should not be as smart and level as their more 
 sporting brothers, for a good-looking hound costs no more to 
 
158 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 keep than a bad one, and little more to buy, if a man knows 
 how to get them. 
 
 In the spring-time, when all huntsmen are drafting their 
 packs, a good many hounds change hands, so that is the best 
 time to get a good pack together. Many journeys to different 
 kennels, and much time, will be saved by going direct to 
 Wilton, who has always a full kennel of fox-hounds, harriers, 
 and beagles, of all sorts and sizes, from which a level pack 
 of either can soon be chosen to suit any customer. This is 
 not a trade advertisement, for Wilton is known to every master 
 of hounds and huntsman in England and abroad ; and he 
 ships large numbers of hounds to foreign ports every year. 
 
 Of course proper kennels will be required, with boiling 
 house, meal and flesh houses, sheds, &c., which may be built 
 elaboratel}', or run up temporarily, according to circumstances ; 
 also a stable, with rooms for the kennel huntsman. The 
 next thing will be to engage him. So long as he has a good 
 general knowledge of hounds, how to feed and keep them in 
 health (of course, no one would ever think of breeding from 
 such a pack), that is all that is required. He must be strong, 
 active, and willing, a light weight, good rider, so as to whip 
 in when necessary, though this duty is often undertaken by 
 one of the field. 
 
 Then a dragsman will have to be found, and this is more 
 difficult than many people would believe. He must be a 
 good runner, of course, and have a thorough knowledge of 
 the country and its inhabitants, with a good eye for a 
 practicable place, and also know whether it is possible for a 
 horse to jump it or not. Some people prefer a man on 
 horseback to take the drag, but this has many objections. 
 In the first place, it cannot be laid so thoroughly v^hile 
 
DRAG HUNTING. 159 
 
 trailed behind a horse, and it has to be hfted at fences, which 
 causes hounds to dwell at them, and baulk horses coming 
 behind them. 
 
 Another thing, a man cannot ride so straight in cool blood 
 as with hounds ; no matter how clever his horse may be, 
 he is apt to crawl over awkward places, rather than take a 
 fair fly, or even to throw the drag over a big place, and ride 
 round to pick it ujj again. This I know to my cost, for it 
 was the means of killing the best horse I ever possessed, by 
 falling at a place, thinking that, as the dragsman's horse had 
 jumped it, mine could, but he had ridden round. After 
 that we always had a man afoot, so that if we did not 
 like the place Avhere he liad gone Ave chose another, 
 the same as in regular hunting ; if we fell it was our own 
 fault. 
 
 The best drag is made of a skin with the fur on it, well rubbed 
 round a foxes' den, Avhich is kept on purpose, the dirtier the 
 better, and then a few drops of oil of aniseed are added every 
 now and then as he goes along. This will be strong enough 
 to last two hours on good scenting days, but of course these 
 vary the same as with hunting animals, and it is only practical 
 experience which Avill enable our young Master to regulate 
 his runs accordingly. As a rule, an hour's law will give a 
 good man plenty of time to show a run that will give men 
 and horses quite enough to do if the country is at all stiff or 
 the going heavy. 
 
 Tw^o or three fresh paunches make a good worry for the 
 finish, at a small cost, and are easily carried. Hounds come 
 together quicker, and are not so likely to run off heel if they 
 see the others tearing, and soon learn to know what " who-oop " 
 means, even without running from scent to view, but if they 
 
160 TALES FOR SPORTSMExY. 
 
 are constantly run without being rewarded at the finish, they 
 become slack, and of course useless. 
 
 The whip's horse must be able to gallop and junip, and 
 of course quiet amongst hounds, as he will have to be always 
 at exercise with them. 
 
 The following is an account of the probable outlay in 
 building kennels, buying hounds, &c., also the expenses of 
 keep and working for the year : — 
 
 Outlay. 
 
 £ s. 
 
 Building kennels, benches, yards, fittings, &c 50 
 
 Boiling-house, fittings, &c 30 
 
 Meal and flesh house 20 
 
 Stable, two stalls, one loose box, whip's rooms, saddle room . 150 
 
 Ten couple hounds, say £5 per couple 50 
 
 Horse for whip, say 50 
 
 Saddlery, clothing, couples, whips 15 
 
 £365 
 
 Yearly Expenses. 
 
 Keep of ten couple, at £8, say 3s. per week 80 
 
 Taxes, hounds and man 8 5 
 
 "Whip's wages 60 
 
 Clothes for ditto 10 
 
 Cragsman, forty dnys at 10s 20 
 
 Scent 1 15 
 
 Firing 10 
 
 Keep of horse 50 
 
 Saddlery, sundries 10 
 
 £250 
 
 It may cost a few pounds more or less, according to circum- 
 stances ; but the above will give a pretty good idea, according 
 to my experieuce. Therefore, if a few gentlemen can give 
 the Master a subscription of £250 a year, he will be able 
 to do it well, and only have extras to pay out of his own 
 pocket. 
 
DRAG HUNTING. 161 
 
 Like other masters he should always have a sovereign handy 
 in case of emergencies, and never go out hunting without, at 
 least, a pound's worth of loose silver in his pocket. A 
 shilling thrown to a man holding a gate open, will insure its 
 being shut again after all have passed through, and half-a- 
 crown at the time, will mend a gap, and heal a sore place 
 better than ten shillings a month after, when, perhaps, some 
 beasts have gone astray. 
 
 To give an instance of this — One morning, early, going out 
 to exercise, I told my boy to start with a drag two miles off, 
 and take a line for home to try some new hounds, while I 
 took a round and worked back that way, to give him law. 
 Laying them on, they ran across one or two fields, but instead 
 of crossing the land of two old ladies, which we generally 
 traversed, the line took me up a lane past their farm, and on 
 for home by our own fields. Blowing up the boy after the 
 worry for road running. 
 
 " Please, sir, Mrs. — met me, and said she would pull my 
 ear if I went across her fields, and you are not to go there 
 any more." 
 
 Surprised at this from a neighbour, I kennelled up and 
 trotted back to know the reason, for we had always been 
 across there before, without a word. Meeting the old lady 
 on the farm, T questioned her. 
 
 " Well," she said, " I don't mind you coming, for your 
 horses always jump ; but the last time you came, there was 
 a rough young man on a grey horse knocked a great gap in 
 that fence, and let my pigs out, so my next neighbour 
 pounded them. It cost me 5s. to get them out, and took 
 John nearly all day to find them." 
 
 " I am very sorry for that," said I, " but you must let me 
 pay the os. ; and here, John, is 2s. Qd. for your trouble." 
 
 M 
 
162 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 After a little demur, the old lady let me pay it, and 
 I never had any more trouble in that direction. 
 
 Now, let us suppose that a young master has managed to 
 get a pack of hounds together, and engaged an efficient whip ; 
 by dint of plenty of morning exercise, and a few short drags, 
 he has made them handy and steady, for it must be remem- 
 bered that a draghound is no use if he is not keen, and of 
 all others they are most prone to run riot. They will 
 sometimes break away, and run a cur dog for miles along the 
 roads, unless under proper control, for he may have been 
 pottering about on the scent, and picked up enough on his 
 feet just to give him a flavour. 
 
 Receiving an invitation to meet at some well-known 
 mansion for the opening day, he sends out cards to his 
 subscribers, and all the farmers in the district, giving the 
 place and time of meeting. 
 
 As there are no coverts to draw, it matters little at what 
 time they meet, so long as it suits the majority of their 
 supporters, but, as Mr. Jorrocks has it, punctuality is the 
 politeness of princes, so that whatever time is advertised on 
 the cards, it should be strictly kept, and hounds laid on, at 
 the very latest, half an hour after arriving at the meet. 
 
 The dragsman, having received instructions as to the line 
 to be taken, starts an hour before, taking care to lay the drag 
 some way from the meet, and not crossing any lane by which 
 hounds are likely to come on their way, or they would break 
 away and spoil the run. 
 
 It is not necessary for the huntsman to know the line, and 
 better for him that he should not, but it is as well for the 
 whip to know something of it, so as to stop hounds if they do 
 wrong, and it also enables him to ride so as to save his horse, 
 as he has only one for two days a week. 
 
DRAG HUNTING. 163 
 
 If the huntsman has a second horse, he can be sent on to 
 some point. No one else riding should know it, or even 
 where the finish is to be, as that leads to racing, and spoils 
 the hounds by riding over them just when they want most to 
 be left alone, and got together at the worry. 
 
 Drag-hunting should be conducted in a sportsmanlike 
 manner, and not made a burlesque, as is so often done, and 
 which brings it into disrepute. 
 
 Huntsman and whip should be neatly and quietly dressed ; 
 black caps, grey coats, white cords, and brown top boots look 
 like business, but of course that is only a matter of taste. 
 
 Arrived at the meet, should there be a luncheon provided, 
 let the field enjoy it ; never get off your horse while amongst 
 hounds, as they are apt to stray away if the huntsman leaves 
 them, and it looks so bad to shut them up in an outhouse. 
 If you require refreshment, sit on your horse and have it 
 brought to you ; you will find your hounds much quieter and 
 handier for it. When time is up and every one rea;dy, trot 
 gently off to where the dragsman has laid it down. Cheer 
 your hounds to draw for the scent^ and let them find it ; once 
 they settle, give them room, sit down, and ride like blazes. 
 Ride a bit wide of your hounds, and keep your field in order. 
 No one but the huntsman should be allowed to go within 
 twenty yards of the pack, for even draghounds cannot stand 
 being ridden over, and there are some men who will do their 
 worst to do so. When you get to the finish, jump from your 
 horse, get hold of the worry, and who-oop your hounds well 
 to it, so that all share alike. Take care they do not get on 
 the stale line on the way home, for it will sometimes lay 
 strong for some hours, and whipping them off will do a great 
 deal of harm. Get them home to their kennels as soon as 
 possible, feed them at once, and let them have plenty of 
 
164 
 
 TALES FOR SPORTSMEN. 
 
 straw to keep them warm ; for they require just as much 
 care and attention as other hounds, and there is no reason 
 why they should not obtain it. Then they will be fresh and 
 ready to hunt two days a week. Now a few words in 
 conclusion. No man calling himself a sportsman would 
 start a pack of draghounds so as to interfere with any exist- 
 ing pack of stag or foxhounds, nor would any one in his 
 proper senses ever wish to see this kind of amusement 
 substituted for either ; but in many parts of this country, and 
 also abroad, where no hounds are to be found at present, if 
 this chapter should be the means of bringing them within 
 reach of good fellows who know how to appreciate them, 
 then it will not have been written in vain. 
 
 
 
 
 ^ Y) W H O 
 
 4 
 
Webster Farn,' , ^, „■ ,dry Medicme 
 
 CummingsSc, iriary Medicine at 
 
 Tutlc. -oij.vfcrsity 
 
 200 Westboro Road 
 
 North Grafton MA 01536