TCOTT

Illustrated.

John B.Wollocombe,

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JOHNA.SEAVERNS

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THE TETCOTT HUNT WEEK.

TJje Teteott ilunt
Week..

ANTECEDENTS AND CONSEQUENCES.

WITH FIFTEEN ILLUSTRATIONS.

BY

JOHN B. WOLLOCOMBE.

ILoittfoii :
SKEFFINGTON & SON, PICCADILLY, W

PUBLISHERS TO H.R.H. THE PRINCK OF WALES.
1895.

PREFACE.

The stories related in this book, incredible as some may
seem, are true. The most improbable of all — the one
which tells of the dignity conferred on an ancient
carriage — actually happened, but at a date prior to that
assigned to it. My grandfather. Colonel Wollocombe,
of the 2nd Queen's, who was born in 1742, and had the
honour of being associated with H.R.H. the Duke of
Kent when quartered at Gibraltar, was the envied
possessor of the old chariot which the Vicar's wife
converted to the use described.

The two following letters from H.R.H. Her Majesty
the Queen's father, though " nihil ad rem," may interest
some of my readers, and serve as an introduction of
myself to the public.

Gibraltar,

April Sth, 179 1.
Dear Colonel Wollocombe,

As a former commanding officer and old
friend of the Queen's Regiment, I hope you will
not refuse me when I press you to let me have
Holmes, Baker, Bromfield, Harrison, and Spice in
exchange for the five men of ours mentioned to

VI.

you by Capt. Schuttleworth this morning. Having
Sir Robert Boyd's consent, nothing but yours is
wanting to obhge me in this, I shall esteem it a
very particular mark of friendship from you if you
will give your consent and allow the exchanges to
be transacted to-morrow. My new clothing can
then be immediately fitted to these men, which is
a very great convenience to me. I am sure Major
Grey will approve of your having thus obliged me,
particularly as Colonel Dalrymple in his letters
while he still belonged to the Queen's Regiment
particularly said, " I have it in orders from General
Jones to desire your R.H. will lay your command
on the Queen's Regiment for any exchange you
may wish for." Trusting therefore, dear Colonel
Wollocombe, that you will acquiesce, I have only
to desire you will not let the officers of the
Regiment know of the business till completed.
I wait for an answer, and beg to subscribe myself
in the meanwhile

Your most obedient

humble servant,

EDWARD, COLONEL R.F.

Vll.

Kensington Palace,

lotli March, 1813.
My dear Colonel,

I have to acknowledge your letter of

the 8th, and to assure you that a remembrance

of our former service together will most readily

prompt me to apply to Lord Melville in behalf

of your son's promotion. I only wish that by

doing so I could by any means ensure success to

mv application, but unfortunately I cannot boast

of that influence with His Lordship which will

enable me to encourage sanguine hopes of my

success in Lieut. Wollocombe's favor.

I remain.

With sincere regard.

My dear Colonel,

Yours faithfully,
Col. Wollocombe. EDWARD.

His Royal Highness's influence with Lord Melville was greater
than he supposed. My uncle got his promotion.

MR. CORYTON AND MR. CALMADY.

THE TETCOTT HUNT WEEK.

monday, ^ehrUBpy 12th, 1894.

0-DAY Mr. Coryton brings his hounds to
Tetcott for a week's hunting with his
brother M.F.H., Mr. Calmady.

The fixture for to-morrow, the first of the four
days on which they hunt during the week, is
" Halwell Station."

I have selected '' Merrilegs," the most, showy of
my horses for my mount. It is not customary in
these parts to have out a second horse.

One day, one horse. A good Devonshire hunter
does not strike, though his day's work exceed eight
hours.

I am anxious about to-morrow. The gathering
will be a large one. Hope to distinguish myself,
but cannot feel very sure of doing so, having had
only three or four months' experience in the noble
science and in learning how to cross this very
difficult country.

" Coming events cast their shadow before." And

A

The TetGott Hunt CJdeek.

something within me foretells failure. I have not
as yet been successful in my attempts to lead the
" field." When a small boy I went well ; why can-
not I do so now? I sit down and recall to mind my
early, boyish experiences of hunting before the first
real sorrow of my life came upon me.

When about seven years old, I was committed to
the charge of a trusty old servant, who took me to
*' see the meet " at a neighbouring squire's place.
But I made up my mind that I would see a little
more of the fun than the mere *' meet." I would
follow on with the rest of the field. How well I
remember this my first day with hounds ! It comes
back to my mind as if it were yesterday. I see
before m.e now the important huntsman with his
loving and highly-prized pack of '* beauties," and
the distinguished members of the hunt on their
noble horses. To be one of such a brilliant " field "
was indeed an honour ! But then came the doubt,
could I be accounted "one of them," so long as I
remained attached by a leading rein to a fat coach-
man on a carriage horse ? No. I was merely an
appendage. That my father's son, a man of my
age, should be thus led about like an organ grinder's
monkey, was not to be endured. So when old
coachee was having a tell with a friend, and his
head turned away from me, I reached forward, un-
buckled the rein from my pony's bit, and went off

(Donday, Febt^uatry 12th, 1894. 3

after some riders who were carefully picking their
way across a soft, miry bit of ground, which my
pony got over cleverly. When my old proprietor
and leader turned round to propose our moving on,
great was his astonishment and dismay on finding
nothing at the end of his line. I was near enough
to see the expression of his countenance. No
salmon fisher, when a thirty pounder has broken
away, could look more disconcerted than he did, as
he gathered in and pocketed the rein. He soon
caught sight of me, however, and followed in pur-
suit ; but was immediately stabled in the bog, which
I had just crossed, and did not come up with me
until I and my pony were on such good terms, and
getting on so well, that he was content to follow in
my wake : and hard work he found it to do so.

Man and horse were done to a turn when " we
killed our fox."

Soon after this my entry, there came into our
neighbourhood one of England's naval heroes, who
had determined to refresh his war-worn spirit with
the grand sport of fox-hunting.

The first thing towards the accomplishment of
his purpose was to find a horse strong enough to
carry his bulky person, and at the same time fast
enough to live with hounds. He himself, though
well up in nautical matters, was quite ignorant as
regards the different parts and members that go to

4 The Tetcott Hunt CUeek.

the making up of a horse. But fortunately a friend,
who lived near him, discovered the requisite animal,
w^hich henceforth became the hunt's ship. A camel
is called the ship of the desert, and this horse was
yclept the ship of our happy hunting grounds.
He was eighteen stone burden, built on good lines,
of moderate breadth of beam, neat figure-head —
displacement not as yet ascertained — and bearing
the name of " Neptune."

But the gallant captain had to learn how to
manage this conveyance — the use of the yoke lines,
etc. — before venturing to make a voyage. The
attaining a perfect balance when on board was as
difficult to him as the acquiring sea legs is to a
landsman. And he had to learn on which side to
board, and which foot to commence with in climb-
ing on deck.

But every difficulty is at last overcome by the
painstaking and persevering, and after a time our
friend thought himself capable of making sail for
the nearest town. He had a successful voyage, and
landed at the inn from the left side of his convey-
ance, and alighted on the curb of pavement in front
of the inn door. And as he had to mount from the
left side, there, on the same spot, would he station
himself when the homeward voyage had to be made.
The help of the curbstone in climbing up would
be great.

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monday, pebnuapy 12th, 1894.

But things sometimes occur which alter the whole
tenor of our plans. " Neptune" was brought up to
the inn door with his head pointing in the direction
opposite to that it had been on his arrival. This
upset and deranged all the captain's calculations.
He approached what he supposed to be the left side,
and put his left foot into the stirrup. But the right
foot, which had so cleverly made its way over the
saddle on leaving home, now struck against " Nep-
tune's " neck, entangled itself in the tiller ropes,
and could not be got over. How was this ? He
had been so full of theory and rules for regulating
his movements, that he had not taken a general
observation of his position and bearings ; but now
that he does so, he perceives that his face is towards
the tail of his horse, and not towards the head, as
he had been accustomed to find it in his daily
practice at home.

** But this," said he, when speaking of the adven-
ture, '' would not have much mattered, for I could
have slewed round and headed the other way, but, as
ill-luck would have it, up came Mr. A.'s four-in-hand
drag at that critical moment.^ * Neptune' became
unsteady, and in his pitching and tossing off went
my hat in front of the leaders' feet, whilst I was left
grimly clinging to the saddle, and unable to clear
my foot from the stirrup so as to profit by the
ostler's suggestion that it would be better to * unlight,'

6 The Teteott Hunt CJUeek.

as I could not possibly gain my seat on the saddle,
except by some feat of agility unknown to him,
simple landsman that he was."

But in course of time our gallant friend was able
to follow hounds, though he sometimes came a
header over the port or starboard bows.

Two years after the coming of this ocean swell
upon us, when I was the proud and happy owner of
a clever cob, and beginning to feel myself really a
member of the hunt, joy and gladness fled from our
hitherto happy home. My mother died. And my
father, who was old and infirm — he had married
very late in life — was ordered by his doctors to the
South of France. I accompanied him thither, and,
after ten years' sojourn in a foreign land, returned
alone to my once bright and joyous home. How
changed it seemed without those kind and loving
ones who had made it such a happy home to me.
But it is in itself the same beautiful old place, and I
must try to make it the same happy one to myself
and all about me that it was of yore. Farming will
add to its interest : a dairy and poultry yard to its
comfort.

I have the home farm on hand, and am about to
stock it. An agent is to buy some cows for me on
Wednesday. I am not knowing enough to do so
myself. Mistakes are sometimes made by the in-
experienced. I remember my father's story of a

monday, February 12th, 1894. 7

music master in the north of Devon who was, on a
certain occasion, sadly disappointed in a purchase.

Whilst passing through the butter market of his
town one day, the thought occurred to him that a
cow would be more useful and profitable than the
pony on which he was accustomed to ride when he
visited his pupils in the country. He could easily
walk to any of their residences. So at the next fair
he looked out what he considered a very fine cow,
and asked its price, and also the amount of butter
it produced. The owner told him the price, and
putting his finger to the side of his nose, screwed up
his right eye, which manoeuvre our friend supposed
to be a signal that the price was a secret between
them, and revealed in confidence.

The animal seemed cheap. But how about the
milking qualities ? " You have not told me how
much butter it will give," he said. *' Come now,
my good man, will you warrant it to give a pound a
day?" The farmer, thinking our friend facetious,
replied in what he supposed to be the same chaffing
vein — '*A pound of butter a day! O yes, I'll
warrant it will give two pounds, if it will give an
ounce." This was satisfactory indeed. And the
owner of this heavy milker, consenting to take the
pony with saddle and bridle in part payment, the
new purchase was driven to the Professor's stable,
and his servant maid sent out to milk it. But she

8 The TetGOtt H^nt Oieek.

returned in a state of great consternation, and cried
out, '' Why, measter, tes a steer ! "

So it is well to be cautious in buying animals of
which you know little or nothing. But, I flatter
myself, I do know something about a horse. And I
have picked up four short-legged, well-bred hunters
that are said to be well up to their business, which,
I must confess, is more than I am. I can ride a
bit, and have had plenty of practice, as my father
always had some good horses, up to the time of his
death. I have a fair hand and seat, and am not
like our French Count who "when his horse did
not shomp sthraight did not remain." But I know
nothing of hunting, or of the way to negotiate the
enormous banks and fences of my native county.

In consequence of my long residence abroad I am
almost a foreigner, and " a fox-hunt to a foreigner
seems strange."

I would give anything to distinguish myself in this
noblest of all sports ; but, after three months' ex-
perience, I am not very skilful in crossing a country.
The bogs seem to beckon me into them, and the
banks make me giddy when I look down from their
top. The height of man and horse, added to that
of an eight-foot bank, gives a perpendicular drop of
sixteen feet, and allowing for deviation, say twenty
feet of space through which — should the order of
landing be head first, heels second — the head has to

monday, FebPuapy 12th, 1894. 9

traverse before it reaches the ground. There are
also many streams and rivers intersecting this
county, and these have to be crossed occasionally
when there is not much time to select a place. The
banks are often steep and slippery, and sometimes
give way beneath one — there is an awkward move-
ment of horse, a splash, a plunge, a flounder in the
rocky bed of the stream, and a risky jump and
scramble up the opposite bank.

Then, again, there are endless woods and coppices
through which one has to crash and struggle, at the
risk of a blow on the knee or a flick in the eye.
But I am told that all these difficulties and dangers
by flood and field increase the excitement and
pleasure of hunting, and that I shall soon get used to
them. It may be so, for I have heard that eels get
used to being skinned alive. Who knows but that
I shall some day smile at my present estimation of
obstacles which now appear to me serious ones.

But what has hitherto brought me to grief is a
nervous, restless anxiety to distinguish myself and
to lead, instead of being content to be piloted by
others more experienced than myself. Ah, well !
h'm ! Surely my chair must have some magic
power to make life change its sombre hue to
brighter colours. As I give myself up to its in-
fluence, my troubles and anxieties gradually grow
less and less, and at last fade away, as phantoms,

lo The Teteott Hunt CXleek.

into thin air. They disappear as does a scene in a
dissolving view. And lo ! there stands before me a
graceful form, w^ith face radiant with beauty and
goodness — such a face as England alone produces,
and yet her sunny, nut-brown hair is encircled with
gardenia, and flowers of the Riviera festoon her
robe. In her hand is a cluster of oleander blossoms,
the scent of which I am so fond. This she holds
out to me, but I cannot reach it. She pauses for a
moment, and then, with a look of surprise and dis-
appointment, vanishes from my sight. She is gone:
perhaps for ever.

A chilly feeling creeps into my heart, and I
shudder at the thought that some more favoured
suitor may gain the prize that I have been unable
to grasp. I gaze on the spot where she just now
stood, but see nothing but the ashes of a fire that
has burnt itself out, and a clock on the chimney-
piece which points to the hour of midnight.

Must to bed, for I intend to be stirring early
to-morrow. I wish to have plenty of time to get
myself up correctly for the grand meet at " Halwell
Station." Hundreds will be there.

At all times I dislike to be hurried of a hunting
morning — obliged to bolt my breakfast and to rush
off in ill-temper and in a slovenly state of attire.

To-morrow I must be very particular as to my
appearance, and have decided not to take sandwiches

monday, Febt^uapy 12th, 1894. ii

and flask with me, as they spoil the sit of one's coat.
I have no horn case and leather pocket contrivance
attached to my saddle

If I make a hearty breakfast I ought to be able to
hold out till dinner-time for once in a way.

Must not overdo the provisioning though, for a
friend of mine, about to start on a week's visit to a
delightful country house, took in a double cargo to
save lunching on the road, and after riding a mile
or two on his journey, became so faint and ill that
he was obliged to return home and give up all his
anticipated pleasure.

Tuesday, pebt'Uary 13th, 1894.

KNOCK at bedroom door. Man enters to
say that breakfast is ready. Seems sur-
prised to find me in bed. He brought me
my hot water half-an-hour ago. I was then awake,
he says, and asked him the hour. I jump out of
bed. Make hasty toilet. Pity ! Sure to be a lot of
ladies at the " meet." No time for breakfast. Cram
some food into my pocket. Will eat it on the way
to covert. Can't. Horse too fresh. Try to think
a ride before breakfast very enjoyable.

On the road nothing worthy of note occurs, except
that I have to dismount to take a stone out of
horse's foot, and in regaining his back, my breeches
give way at the hinder part of the thigh. Rent,
however, scarcely visible when I am in the saddle.
Meant to have sported leathers to-day, but in my
hurry caught up the cords, laid out in readiness for
wet weather. Marvelling much at such an over-
sight, I put my hand to my chin. I have not shaved.
And from the glimpse which I get of a broken and
wavy brim, I am convinced that it cannot belong to
the bran new hat, bought for this especial occasion.
Cannot venture to take hat off to determine the

Tuesday, pebfuafy 13th, 1894. 13

point as two lively gloves are in it. I feel them
dancing on the top of my head and beating time to
horse's trot. My necktie too bothers me. It has
been creeping up the back of my head higher and
higher till stopped by brim of hat. And my breast-
pin is so near my nose that it makes me squint. I
must be more like a Guy Fawkes than a gay fox-
hunter. This is not what I had intended. My usual
hunting get-up is perfect ; and my arrival at the
covert side creates quite a flutter in the dovecot. I
arrive at the "meet," but there is no one to welcome
me. All for the best, perhaps, under my present
dilapidated circumstances. Hounds have moved off.
I follow on to the covert, which is close by. Presently
a lady trots down a cross-ride and approaches me.
I salute her in my usual courtly style. When hat is
removed, out flutter the gloves like a conjuror's pair
of pigeons. Effect startling ; but not good. In fact
my bow is spoilt by those ungrateful elves, who are
amusing themselves at my expense, as they have
been doing the whole way to covert. And are,
perhaps, looking forward to the fun of making me
reveal to the lady the ragged state of my nether gar-
ments. If so, this part of their joke is spoilt, for a
young lad chances to be near, and restores these
wicked gloves to me. Lucky ! as the lady is on my
near side. She passes on down a ride crossed by
deep, boggy ditches and blind drains. I decide not

14 The Tetcott Hunt CUeek.

to follow, but to retire to that part of the plantation
which the hounds have drawn, and there to break-
fast. The parcel of food is not easily extracted
from my pocket — I had seized on an old newspaper
in my hurry, and had wrapped it loosely round a
junk of meat and bread. Get it out at last, and
place it with my clasp knife in front of me on the
saddle, and then proceed to arrange my tie, which
is sadly aggravating me. At this moment the hounds
find, horse plunges, hat, having no string, comes off,
and together with breakfast and knife rolls into the
gutter. I jump off to recover these things, when, lo !
the whole ''field" come sweeping by me. Whilst
bareheaded, with waistcoat unbuttoned, ends of
necktie hanging loose, I am, at one and the same
time, struggling with my horse and endeavouring to
collect the scattered fragments of my breakfast.
Fox takes another turn in covert, and back come
the equestrians, whilst I am now endeavouring to
press out and restore to some shape my unfortunate
hat, which has been trampled on by my horse. I clap
on hat, roll up a portion of the bread and meat,
button up waistcoat, mount, and make for the top of
covert, where I arrive just as the hounds are getting
away with their fox at this very point. The exit
from the plantation has bars across it. I get off to
take down the top one, and am about to lead over,
when horse takes the initiative, jumps before I am

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ready, and knocks me over the bars. Reins are on
my arm, and as I fall the horse is checked in his
jump and nearly brought a-top of me. Mount, and
away across the first field to gateway fenced with
pole and faggots. A stiff jump. But not wishing to
get another thump on the back from horse, I harden
my heart, and go at it. Over ! All right ! Splendid !
Wonder if any of them saw that ? I am leading,
and in style, too. Next we come to a bank, through
which cattle have made a narrow gap. Looks easy
enough ; but my toes strike against the sides.
Fortunately the hedge is a loose one, large portion
comes away on each foot. Might have been worse.

Now hounds cross a river easy of entry, but bank
on further side looks rotten. Lay hold of a young
alder and swing myself from the saddle to top of
bank. Alder gives with my weight, and inclines
towards the river. Horse jumps bank all right, but
I am left dangling over a deep hole. Manage to
drop on a rock, and then, with a hop, skip, and a
jump, I reach the tail end of the pool, just as hat,
whip, and gloves — both right-hand ones, the im-
postors— are on the point of entering the stickle to
take a merry dance down stream. As I secure these
I look up, and, to my dismay, there are the first
flight — young ladies amongst them — making merry
at my expense. They have seen the whole move,
which did not take many seconds. They cross, and

i6 The TetGOtt Hunt UXeek.

take the bank with perfect ease. It is not rotten,
after all. My horse's bridle, fortunately for me, has
got entangled in a thorn bush. But just as I have
cleared the reins, and am about to mount, up come
the rest of the " field." And this so excites my
horse, that whilst I am making vain efforts to mount
him, he is continually dragging me further and
further up the wood that ascends from the river.
Again and again I endeavour to get up on his back,
but am unable to do so. He will not stand still a
moment. At the top of the wood there is a gate ;
against this I press him so close that he cannot rise
at it. Then I mount by aid of the bars of gate,
thus favouring the weak part of my armour, which
has been sorely tried by my late struggles in the
wood and up the hill. When mounted, I open the
gate, and find myself on an extensive moor, where I
might have seen the whole chase spread out before
me had I been a minute sooner. However, I have a
glorious spin over this open ground. Wonder how
many men, in the grand runs that we read of, see
much more of the hounds than I am doing now.
Some men imagine themselves in the run when they
are following, at a respectful distance, the last bit of
pink visible. Why should I not call upon imagina-
tion to do without that bit of pink. I am with
hounds, if not in the same field, I am in the same
county with them, and going well — and safely, as I

Tuesday, F^btruafy 13th, 1894. 17

suppose — when, suddenly, my horse's forehand dis-
appears, and I am shot off into a spongy bog. Ugh !
My horse flounders out of the mire, and I am just
about to lay hold of his reins, which are trailing,
when, with a toss of his head, he turns from me, and
goes off tail on end, and blowing like a grampus.
He turns his head from side to side to catch a peep
at my amiable countenance and mud-laden boots,
and to see how / go through dirt. He is poking fun
at me. Sometimes he stops to let me come up with
him ; and when I try to put the crook of my whip on
his reins, lo ! with a wheel, he places his tail where
his head was the moment before, gallops off a few
strides, and then settles down into a grand high-
stepping showyard trot, pulling up every now and
then with a loud snort. The hounds and horses are
too far ahead to attract him, so I absorb his whole
attention. After a time we get into a corner near a
gate. Here I make another attempt to capture him,
but he evades me, and makes for the gate, beyond
which is an extensive moor, where he will have
plenty of room for the carrying on of his Tom
Tiddler's Land game. Luckily for me, on each side
of the gate — a low, rotten thing — there is a pool of
water. At this he stops, sniffs, and snorts, to find
out what sort of bottom it has. This is my oppor-
tunity, my last chance. I rush in, and stop him
just as he is rising for the jump. I turn him round,

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i8 The Teteott Hunt OUeek.

head from the gate, mount, face round again, and
put him at the rotten timber. But our previous
struggle in the water has broken into some drain or
soft place. His hind legs sink as he is taking off in
his jump. He is unable to clear the gate, and an ash
stick, laid across as a support, prevents his going
through. We come a cropper into the pool of black
water on the other side. My hat is compressed like
a gibus, and my garments are made still more black
and unsavoury. But such adventures, I am told,
add to the excitement and pleasure of the chase.
Certainly, a gallop over a mile of springy turf and
heath, added to my late accidents, produces the
promised effect. My blood is up, I fancy myself
leading in the shires. Feel as if nothing could stop
me. Ride for a gate in the distance. But the
nearer I approach it, the stiffer it looks. And as I
am not really leading in the shires — indeed, a forward
place would hardly suit the tattered state of my gar-
ments— it will be better to open the gate. Ha ! it is
padlocked, and the upper hinge reversed. The little
bay horse's rider has had enough of pleasure and
excitement for one day. And see ! There is wheat on
the further side. It is unsportsmanlike to ride over
wheat. I will not do mischief to either gate or field.
I turn from the wheat field gate and see that
others have done the same. I follow their tracks
as long as I can, but miss them when I come to

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Tuesday, pebfuat^y 13th, 1894. 19

some heath and short furze. After that I follow my
nose, and come to' a boundary fence, high and newly
made up. I select a place free from layers and
binders. Horse refuses, but after some persuasion
jumps to the top ; but then instead of executing a
forward movement, slips back suddenly from between
my legs, to clear his feet from a pole and hurdle or
iron harrow guarding the unfinished outer side of
hedge. I find myself on his neck. His ears only
are visible to me. Whilst I am thus placed, he
takes a flyer into the next field. I have his neck
between my knees as he lands, but the concussion
shakes me off, and I fall heavily. Up all right, but
collar bone painful. On again, more cautiously now,
over ditches, gaps, and low fences, to a lane full of
yellow stews, that send jets of liquid ochre into face
and eyes. It is rather fortunate that I have no one
immediately in front of me now. I would not object
to having the whole field in my rear. What a
splendid run they must be having over this fine wild
country ! If I could but see a tail hound, or even a
tail coat, I might more easily fancy myself in the
run. That ill-judged getting off at the river has cut
me out of the fun, and from all hope of distinguish-
ing myself. Lost my chance. " There is a tide in
the affairs of men, which taken at the flood leads on

to " But what do I see ? Surely if the mud of

this lane has not confused my eyesight, there are

20 The Teteott Hunt UUeek.

men and horses in that wood yonder. Hounds have
earthed their fox there. I am in time, after all, for
the finish. I shall be mentioned in the report of the
run as one of the few up. I hurry on, tie up my
horse to a bush, and steal in amongst the group of
first flight men. They are watching and listening,
with their faces turned from me. I am unnoticed.
I pull out a cigar and strike a light with as loud a
crack as I can. This has the desired effect of calling
attention to my presence. But, alas ! only to blast
my hopes. For one of the party turns towards me
and sings out, '' What ! you here ! Where the
dickens did you drop from ? You have not been
heard of since we left you collecting curiosities in
the river." " Pity you did not come on with us,"
says another, " for we have had rather a good hunt-
ing run, though scent was indifferent and it died
away at last. Lost our fox about a mile from here ;
came back to this covert and found a fresh one,
which has gone to earth. The farmer, who lives
' handy by,' says, ' 'e's a proper old chap, that's
what 'e is. My volks have seed un in our yard in
broad day. I wish 'e was dead.' So, as most of
the field are gone, and he will not draw any more
to-day, Mr. Coryton has consented to wait five
minutes or so, whilst the terrier is in. We may
have a scurry to finish the day, and then it will be
home, sweet home."

Tuesday, Febi:'Uat^y 13th, 1894. 21

I am too wet to remain for the end of this.
Crestfallen and disappointed I mount and depart.
There will be no mention of me in the report of
this day's proceedings. These men, and probably
all that were out — since the run was a slow one, and
allowed them time to remark who was there — know
that I am a defaulter.

I turn and go home very worn and hungry. Put
my hand into pocket for my food. What can this
be so soft and pulpy ? Draw out a giant horseball,
or something very black and nasty. It is my break-
fast, saturated with filthy bog water. Try to eat it,
and to imagine that the black liquid is walnut pickle.
Imagination objects to the smell of the thing. My
effort, however, is not to go unrecorded, for just as I
am about to try once more, there issues from the
yard of a roadside inn a bevy of young ladies with
their attendant esquires. They had turned home-
ward at the end of the first run, and had put in here to
give their horses gruel. They appear to be in high
spirits. "What have you got there?" says one. " It
looks very nice I " says another. " Won't you give me
a bit ? " pleads a third. Whilst a satirical male of
the party tells them not to touch it, as it is a black
pudding and made of pig's blood, a thing unlawful
to eat. " He does not care for fox's blood, or he
would have come on with us on the spec," is the
taunt of a mere schoolboy, and capped by a heavy

22 The Tetcott Hunt CUeek.

dragoon's *' Haw, haw ! pwefers tickling twout ! "
And these are the people whose admiration I
was to have gained. Here are some of those fair
creatures in whose eyes I hoped to shine as a hero.
And these fiends, rather than men, are they with
whom I was ready to contend in manly rivalr}^ and
to admit to my heart as brother sportsmen.

Fortunately — *' for it is ill jesting with a hungry
man " — our roads branch off at once. Then it is
that I recognize among the party my lovely Riviera
acquaintance, who had long reigned supreme in my
heart. Little did I dream of seeing her here. On
the three occasions of my confronting the "field"
to-day, I was too abashed to distinguish anyone.
Not for worlds would I have appeared before my
love in the ridiculous positions in which I was then
placed. And, that she should have seen me regaling
myself with such food as this ! Begone, thou worse
than Dead Sea fruit ! But my misfortunes do not
appear to have altered her kind feeling towards me,
for she pulls up to greet me, and as she departs,
casts back a look of love and sympathy, which is as
balm to my troubled spirit, reconciles me to all
mankind, and blots out the remembrance of the
disappointments and vexations of the day. Foolish
anger vanishes at that glance. My fast, too, has
humbled me, and as I pursue my way I begin to see
things in a new light. May it not be that I myself

Tuesday, Februair^y 13th, 1894. 23

am the cause of all my worries and mortification ?
Why should I, an ordinary mortal, aspire to out-
shine all my compeers in the hunting field, and to
gain undivided dominion over Eve's fair daughters ?
They have ever given me more consideration than I
deserve. Even those from whom I lately parted were
not really unkind and inconsiderate. They knew not
of my disappointments, or of the gnawing hunger that
is consuming me. Their high spirits and cheerful
voices offended me, because I myself was so morose
and ill-tempered. Shall I deny the sweetness of the
flowers because I am incapableofsippingtheir honey ?
Dear creatures 1 your rippling laughter and happy
voices now come back to me as sweet music. Your
merry glances and bright bewitching smiles are as
gleams of sunshine across my path.. And from
behind each bush your fair faces seem to peep forth
at me as I pass along. And thine that saddened at
my distress and at thy fair sisters' jesting, now
shines on me radiant and bright as the evening star.
Love and sympathy, kindness and truth, illumine
that countenance. And when I think of my own
mean, paltry ambition, that aims only at self-glory,
I despise the man that rode forth from my home
this morning. I will try to be more worthy of her,
and to take pleasure in the achievements of my
comrades, as well as in my own, that when old age
withdraws me from the fore, I may be able to live

24 The TetGott Hunt CJUeek.

again in my children — ^joy in their happiness, glory
in their success.

Home. Dinner : very acceptable. When I have
appeased my hunger, I call my man to me, and say,
" William, to-morrow is to be a new departure day.
Get me out of bed in good time. I shall not
be offended — when up — at any necessary force used
for that purpose. Get me out of bed by some means
or other, even if you are obliged to have recourse to
dynamite."

William replies, " Yes, sir. Certainly, sir. But
you said, sir, just now, that to-morrow is * New
Departure.' I thought it was ' Moorcombe Corner'
in the fixtures for the week. If Jim has to go on
with your horse I must make enquires about the
road, as he is a stranger to the country, and depends
on me for instructions."

** No, William, I shall not send on. Certainly
not to ' New Departure.' Jim would hardly find it,
even with your assistance. A new departure is not
the name of a place, but is a term which means a
new manner of life — a new order in the conduct of
affairs. For instance, I shall breakfast before leaving
home. Allow time for my ride to covert. Com-
mence my ride in good leathers, not in unreliable
cords, which, after serving me well for a year or
more, and having gained my perfect confidence, fail
one in the hour of the utmost importance. I shall

Tuesday, FehvusiPy 13th, 1894. 25

take 3. pair of gloves with me. See to this, WiUiam,
and that I have my new hat. And tell the cook to cut
some very thin sandwiches, and to put them up in two
sealed packets. I may have to offer one to a — a
friend. And, William, put some port wine into my
small silver flask. I believe port is the correct wine
for la a new departure, I mean. Good night.

** But stop, William. Let me caution you to
approach me warily in the morning twilight. I have
been known to slip my foot suddenly from beneath
the bedclothes, and to thrust it violently against the
lower buttons of a waistcoat, reducing the wearer of
said waistcoat to collapse. Remember also to remove
all missiles from my reach. Then approach, and
insist on being master for the nonce. Be bold, but
be cautious. I should not like to hurt you. Nor do
I wish that I myself should appear in a disfigured
state at the meet. So if you can get me up without
the use of dynamite, do so."

William retires. I wonder what he will do to
rouse me.

I get me early to bed, and am soon in the arms of
Morpheus. Fairy forms with^ smiling faces hover
around me. They take to playing bo-peep from
behind armchairs, wardrobes, and other hiding-
places. Then they dance ; and placing the most
lovely of the group in their centre, crown her queen
of the revels, and circle round her in graceful move-

26 The Teteott Hunt CUeek.

ments. On a table in window recess they place a
chair, as throne, the curtain hangings form a canopy
to it. On this they place my love, and lowly bow to
her, and kiss her hand. Then they take up to her
all my treasures, one by one, as tribute offerings.
Pins, rings, watch, toilet ornaments, and nicknacks,
all are presented to be examined, admired, and laid
at her feet. Next they proceed with my clothes,
and carry up each of the garments placed out for the
morrow's hunting. The buttons of waistcoat seem
to be much admired. All is going well ; when, lo !
horror of horrors ! One of the fairies advances with
those very garments which had played me so shabby
a trick on the road to covert. Where she could
have found them I cannot conceive. They were not
in my room when I came to bed. In another
instant she will shake out the wretched, ragged, and
bespattered things for the inspection of my Queen
of Beauty. Not a moment is to be lost. I spring
out of bed. And wake to the consciousness that it
is all a dream. William enters with hot water. He
has a candle in his hand, and I am able to see his
look, first of astonishment, then of relief, which
again changes to one of indifference and usual calm-
ness as he feigns to account my early rising as quite
an everyday occurrence, and all the overnight
arrangements as mere moonshine. It is the dawn of
St. Valentine's day.

LUednesday, peb^uair^y 14th, 1894.

GET into my tub at once. And because I
am not late and in too great a hurry,
complete my toilet in less time than it
took yesterday, yet I am, if my glass deceive me not,
sufficiently well got up.

I sit down to a comfortable breakfast table, which
is covered with something better than junks of meat
and bread or black puddings. Then, in good time,
I mount my horse, in no fear of anything giving way.
And no longer impelled by " vaulting ambition that
o'erleaps itself and falls on the other side." For I
am resolved to be content to see and enjoy the run
without my old craving to eclipse all my companions.
Few are able to lead, and I am not one of the few —
as yet. My frequent failures prove that something
still remains to be learnt before I shall be accounted
the Jack Mytton or Osbaldeston of my generation.

I arrive at the meet in time to see Back jog up
with the hounds, all looking bright and businesslike.
Soon after comes the genial Master, whose hearty
greeting does one good, and is a pleasant commence-
ment to the day's sport. With the Master comes
Mr. Coryton and others, who are guests at Tetcott

28 The Teteott Hunt CUeek.

during the week. Here I have before me the care-
fully-bred pack, with its very neat huntsman and
whip. Here I have before me the Master and his
guest, two of Devon's worthies, and who may rank
among her best sportsmen. Here also is Mr.
Sperling, another popular M.F.H., and the Messrs.
Lobb — *' par Lobbilefratnmt" — good men and true,
his predecessors, and who, succeeding Mr. Henry and
James Deacon and " the Leamons," made the third
pair of brothers that have of late years hunted the
country now called Mr. Sperling's, Mr. Kelly, of
Kelly, a most popular and successful Master, having
resigned it to them. Here, too, is Lord Ebrington
and Sir William Williams, the past and present
Master of the Devon and Somerset staghounds, also
many other distinguished lovers of the chase.

But my attention is drawn away from this galaxy
of hunting men to some young ladies, who are now
advancing along the road. It is the same party —
accompanied by the same esquires — that assailed me
yestere'en with their lively jests. They come up to
me at once, as if wishing to make amends for any
offence they may have given me. The men whom I
called fiends are pleasant and friendly now. And
the ladies ! How could I have been so lost to
myself as to feel angry with such charming creatures !
Now doubly charming, as they bring with them one
dearer and more welcome than the flowers in May,

LCtednesday, pebtruat^y 14th, 1894. 29

and whose sweet voice now greets me in the soft
music that has Hngered in my ears ever since we
parted in the South of France. She tells me that
she is staying with a friend who resides in the
neighbourhood, is so glad to meet someone that she
knows, and will enjoy to talk over old times, and the
people and places which we remember. I am
delighted to escort her, but acknowledge that,
although I am beginning to know the country, and
can guide her through the boggy and difficult ground,
I cannot rely on being always in the first flight. She
assures me that she is not ambitious, and will be
quite contented to see as much of the run as she
can, without any great amount of riding.

Indeed, I guessed as much, for though a perfect
horsewoman, as one can see at a glance, her style
of riding is of that quiet order which betokens a
gentle nature. In our excursions through the lovely
country of the sunny South, we had often indulged
in an occasional canter which sometimes resulted in
a race, but for the greater part of our rides we
allowed our horses to proceed at a foot-pace, so that
we might enjoy the view and converse on such
things as interested us. Our surroundings were
not such as to suggest " the chase " as a subject for
conversation. And as we wandered on in dreamy
bliss, I never imagined that our next meeting would
be in a stirring hunting field. But here she is, and

30 The Tetcott Hunt (Xteek.

will no doubt expect to see something of the run. I
must do my best to shew her the way as far as I can
safely, and without my usual blunders. But having
my adventures of yesterday before me, I think it
right to warn her that I am not much of a pilot.
This confession, however, does not seem to trouble
her in the least, or to be of any consequence. For
no sooner do we find, than she calls out, " This
way ! " and makes towards a gap which no one else
appears to have noticed, as all turn in a different
direction. Soon after she again calls out, " This
way ! " and I perceive that I am on the eve of riding
into a green bog. She selects the soundest crossing
place, and leads me to a hand-gate — leads me, her
self-appointed pilot.

Presently we come to a bank with a deep gully on
the further side, and this she takes so neatly that
the place seems to be quite an easy one. But when
I get to the top and look down into the depths below,
I shudder. Bound to follow, I seize the cantle of
saddle, and shut my eyes, leaving all responsibility
to my horse. There is a slide, a jump, a scramble
up the other side, and the peril is past. With hat
receding, and ears laid back like a frightened rabbit's,
weak knees, and "all over of a trimmle," I follow
my leader over an ugly stile and a stone fence with
steps on either side. The top of the fence is slippery,
and I am glad she does not see the expression of my

LUednesday, Febi^uapy 14th, 1894. 31

face at the moment of my attaining this uncomfort-
able elevation. However, we land safely and find
ourselves in a farmyard, where we create no little
disturbance amongst the pigs and poultry, as we
dash through them, and out of the yard gate, and on
to the high road. Here we pull up to give hounds
time to cross. And my companion turns to me, and
in great glee, says, *' We had the best of that. Isn't
it fun ? How glad I am that I kept with you instead
of joining the others." Here the others come up.
Hounds run for a short distance parallel to the road
and then cross it.

My fair leader, who has been with them ever since
the find, and has thoroughly enjoyed herself — I have
been too anxious for her and my own personal safety
to do so — again takes to the enclosures, which she
seems to prefer to the road. Hobson's choice for
me ! I must follow. Indeed, I am beginning to like
the fun. Fence after fence we negotiate, keeping in
the same field with hounds.

At length the fox takes refuge in the village of
Bradford. And as we have no magistrate's warrant
for a house to house search, and no wish to endanger
the china and chimney ornaments of the good dames
of this quiet town, all further proceedings against
Mr. Reynard are stayed. For hounds are dangerous
animals to introduce into a neat old lady's abode.
I have seen a hound come out through glass and

32 The TctGott H'^nt UXeeU:.

framework of an upper window at toot of huntsman's
horn.

We draw off well pleased with our day's sport.
Now the run is over I can look back on it with
pleasure. Though I was at first far from convinced
of the prudence of our movements, and at times,
'' as limp as a scared corncrake," I began at last to
enjoy the run which we — or rather my fair com-
panion saw from find to finish. Thanks to herself,
though she puts all the credit to my account, and
says, " How well you managed to keep with the
hounds ! I have enjoyed myself immensely, I am so
much obliged. You have given me a great treat."

Mr. Calmady regrets that there is no brush for
her. She assures him that she is quite satisfied
with the enjoyable run, and thanks him for a very
pleasant day. Then turns for home. She begs me
not to think of accompanying her, and so lose the
chance of another run. But I tell her that I wish
to keep the recollection of this run distinct from any
other.

Very fortunate to-day in my journey across
country, I have gone well. And, though in the first
part of the run ** you could have knocked me down
with a feather," I have taken a very forward place,
and got off without a single mishap. Why should I
not be content to let well alone ?

Besides, I look forward to a pleasant ride with my

Ujednesday, pebtruat^y 14th, 1894. 33

love. And a very pleasant ride it proves to be.
The subject of our discourse I leave my readers to
guess. Suffice it to say I return home so full of
happiness, that I cannot refrain from giving William
a hint as to the cause of it. And just before dinner,
when on my way to the cellar, I overhear William
say, " Cook, do you know the meaning of a new
departure ? According to master's account it means
a mort of things from port wine and thin sandwiches
to matrimony."

Dinner ended, my easy-chair receives me, a
happier and more fortunate man than on the
previous evening. I try to realize my bliss, and to
assure myself that it is not all a dream. How much
it would have added to my father's happiness during
his last days, had he known what was to be the
result of this afternoon's ride. He was a great
admirer of my chosen one, and so charmed with her
loveliness of person and mind, that I feel sure he
had set his heart on her becoming my wife. He
had seen her almost daily during her stay in the
Riviera, as her brother and his invalid wife with
whom she lived had taken a house close to ours. I
used to drive and ride about the country with them,
and sometimes wander with her alone through the
sweet-scented orange groves, and along the bright
shores of the Mediterranean.

What a blissful time was mine, while those happy
c

34 The Teteott H^tnt LUeek.

months lasted ! How sad, after the departure of
the delightful family for their home in England ! I
think my father guessed that my mind dwelt on the
loss of my fair companion more than was good for
me, and to arouse me from my melancholy he used
of an evening, when we were alone, to tell me stories
of things that had occurred in the merry days when
he was young.

I remember his describing what a very different
thing shooting was in those days to the present
mode of slaughtering game. It took no little time
to load a " piece " fifty years ago. And when the
flint locks were in use some of the guns were nearly
six feet long, and had to be sloped to an angle of
forty-five degrees before the shotsman could get at
the muzzle. This of course added to the labour and
difficulty of loading. But even in my father's time
it was a long operation, particularly to those men
who did not possess a spring-top powder flask and
shot pouch.

The manner in which the loading was done, my
father described thus : — The shotsman, after ground-
ing his " piece," drew from his pocket a cow's horn,
its larger end, stopped with a bit of oak wood, formed
the bottom of flask. The pointed end of horn was
made to unscrew, and to hold such a charge as
would send off two or three ounces of shot with a
very perceptible recoil, which often left a bruise on

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- -H^v'R^^.- - ,^^ Iv^'-

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<
O

w

X
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a

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o
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LUednesday, pebt^uat^y 14th, 1894. 35

the shoulder of a. neophyte. When the top of horn
had been unscrewed, filled with powder, emptied
into barrel of gun, and screwed on again, and the
flask committed to an inside breast pocket, then
began a search for paper, which was used instead of
wadding. The pockets of a shooting-jacket were in
those days numerous, very deep, and with narrow
openings, so that the search took time, and when
the brown paper or news sheet was at last drawn
forth and a piece of required size torn off, folded,
and placed at the gun's muzzle, the ramrod was
drawn forth from its loops and applied to the paper
to send it down on the powder and to give sundry
sharp raps thereon, till the rod rebounded freely.
This was often accompanied with a sort of incanta-
tion— " Ram the powder, not the lead ; Fire straight,
and you'll kill quite dead." When the ramrod had
been temporarily placed in the sportsman's mouth,
a bag of shot was produced, its string untied, and a
load scooped out with the bowl of a clay pipe — two
or three pipes to a load. Sometimes the brass nose
of an umbrella was used as a measure, but this bit
of grandeur could only be indulged in by the more
wealthy part of the community. The palm of the
hand was used if there chanced to be no other
measure. When the shot had been poured into the
gun, the paper and ramrod process was repeated,
but without the finishing raps. Then before the

36 The Tetcott Hunt LUeek.

ramrod was drawn out, the measure of the whole
load was taken b}^ placing the hand edgewise across
the muzzle to see if the ramrod was a hand breadth
or four inches higher than in the unloaded gun. After
returning the rod into its loops, the nipple had to
be examined, to see if the powder was up, and if
not up, the cock was let down on the nipple, the
gun turned hammer under, and saaitten with the
hand. If this did not succeed, the powder horn had
to be again brought into use, and some powder
shaken out on the top of nipple and forced down
grain by grain with the point of a pin. Then was
drawn forth a tin box of percussion caps, one of
which was taken out, bitten to ensure its clinging to
the nipple, where it was now placed, the hammer
pressed down on it, then raised to half-cock, and
the shotsman was again ready for action.

And, during this lengthy process, a thorough
explanation was given to any chance bystander as
to how the deed of blood had been accomplished.
From the first suspicion that game was lurking in a
certain spot, to the last act of the drama — the final
catastrophe. Or if the shot had been an unsuccess-
ful one, a full and satisfactory explanation as to the
cause of failure was duly rendered, and the by-
stander made aware how the unlucky and unlooked-
for miss had happened.

By the present mode of using two, or as

OUednesday, Febttua^y 14th, 1894. 37

some do three, breech-loaders, a man might have
made considerable havoc among his birds while
these intricate manoeuvres were going on. But the
triumph of each successful shot would not have been
so great, or celebrated with so much joy, and even
reckoned worthy of being recorded in history.

My father's old keeper had lived in the days of
flint-lock guns, and been one of the few who could
shoot a bird on the wing with that sort of weapon.
No easy feat ; as half or quarter of a second had to
be allowed for the interval between the flash in the
pan and the igniting of powder in the breech. But
these guns seem to have possessed power and wide
scope, as the old fellow, who was truth itself, said,
that with a single barrel he once pulled down a
covey of seven, as they passed through a narrow
opening in a hedge.

His brother used often to accompany him in his
pursuit of game, but was not very skilful with his
weapon, and did not bring much to bag. But he
always considered that he had hit the object fired
at. A hare would go away with the whole load in
his side, and a woodcock mortally wounded, and
ought to have known that it was so, would persist
in flying on as if nothing was the matter. The
report of this man's "piece" was usually followed
by a cry — and a very squeaky, quavering cry it was —
of " Mark, Sam, crippled cock, er's a crippled, er's

38 The Tetcott Hunt LUeek.

a crippled ! " And his brother would say, " Why
ever don't 'e knack 'em right down at wonst."

My father had, as he supposed, this one old keeper
only to take care of a wide tract of rough country
in mid Devon. But when, on his return from the
Crimean War, he, with some friends, visited this
part of a property, to which he had succeded whilst
still a young lieutenant, he found fifteen keepers
awaiting his arrival. Men that had been preserving
the game on their farms and small holdings for the
young squire. All were armed with '* brishers,"
sticks about four feet long, on which, when standing
still, they usually leaned with arms crossed. All
these men had come to show the whereabouts of
coveys that " belanged " to their farms, and to see
the sport.

The old keeper had at his heels, as companion,
retriever, and general servant, a little spaniel, which,
at a signal from its master, would go into the
thickest covert of brambles or furze, and run the
whole length of a blackthorn hedge, " Because,"
said the old man, " I never told un a lie," meaning,
that he never put the dog into creep or " bushment "
unless there were signs that flax or feather had
recently passed in, or when there was wounded or
dead game to seek for.

He was host of the inn where the shooting party
were to lodge, but his house was in a very quiet

CXlednesday, F^bt^uat^y 14th, 1894. 39

neighbourhood, where there was not much passing.
He did not see many strangers in the course of the
year, and the arrival of a visitor gave cause for much
speculation as to who and what the guest might be.

There had passed on the previous day a traveller,
who had very much puzzled him.

"A kurious sort of a gennelman come by here
yesterday," he said ; " a kurious body, sure enough.
Can't tell whaat a waas. Some perfession, so I
s'pose. Never shaves top lip."

A moustache had not been seen or heard of in
that primitive place. The Crimean War was respon-
sible for the introduction of what the old keeper
thought an '* outlandish thing."

My father never forgot the kind and hearty recep-
tion which he met with on this occasion, and prized
very highly the goodwill of these honest men ; for it
is not to be gained by everyone. And he felt sure
that their regard for him was sincere. In truth, he
was worthy of their regard and admiration. Kind,
genial, handsome, he had distinguished himself in
the charge of Yorke Scarlett's heavy brigade.

These men had seen honaurable mention of him
in the papers, and were truly proud of their land-
lord. I can imagine his arrival at the little inn, in
front of which his loyal and loving tenants stand,
hat in hand, and with beaming countenances, to
welcome him back safe and sound from the wars.

40 The Teteott Hunt CXleek.

A little in advance of the group, a tall, slight, active
figure, stands the old keeper, with his faithful spaniel
wagging his tail in sympathy with its master's joy
at once more setting eyes on the pride of his heart,
the boy whom he had taught to shoot, and had
initiated into the mysteries of woodcraft.

But all these men are now dead and gone.
Another generation has taken their place. Shall I
find the present men loyal and generous as their
fathers ? I am a perfect stranger to them, and must
not expect too much at first. But I will try to gain
their hearts.

And here I will end this chapter, and in the next
give an account of my father's day's shooting.

my Father's Adventures.

ERE is my father's story of his day's
shooting.

Arrived at the httle inn, the shotsmen
after tapping each pocket in order to feel if it con-
tained its own proper part of the ammunition, and
after calling over the muster roll of their forces.
Pow^der? Shot? Caps? Wadding? Gun? started
for the nearest barley arish where a fine covey of
nineteen " meated." They had not gone far when
they came upon a man leaning over a gate, and all
but concealed in its deep recess. He turned as they
passed, and took off his hat to my father. This ally
had been too shy and modest to **put 'isself fore at
the arrival of the gentlevolks," but being a great
friend of the old keeper's, he was now admitted
among the privileged ones who were to wait upon
the guns. Not so, however, the next man who came
in view, standing with arms crossed and leaning on
his " brisher." A hospitable saying of the country,
"Whenever you come within half-a-mile of my
house, I hope you'll stop there," was extended to
this man, who had come considerably within half-a-
mile of the nineteen covey's dwelling-place, and

42 The Teteott Hunt UXeek,

was requested to stop there, "where a waas," to
mark the birds if they should come back in that
direction. Presently the party came upon a group
of men and boys, all with arms crossed and resting
on their " brishers," and all come to mark, but
hopuig, no doubt, to have the pleasure of following
the shotsmen and witnessing their performance.
But this was not to be allowed — for the present.
Some of them were sent to high ground, where they
could get a good view of the flight of birds. Some
were told off to climb into the tops of trees, or to
place themselves on high banks, where they stood
the risk of being peppered. Whilst the privileged
ones, in groups of three or four, followed the guns,
and marked as far as they could. Immediately on
reaching the barley arish, the dogs stood, and the
men told each other in an excited whisper, " There
they he. That's them. That's the birds. I was save
they was here. I heerd 'em cal'ing in the old grass
outside about day's break." One of the guns had
stopped behind to do up a bootlace, but the dogs
remained still and rigid, and a murmur of admiration
at their steadiness went the round of the men, and
ended in " Tow-o, tow-o," which made the leading
dog look back contemptuously, as much as to say,
** I am tow-o-ing, stupids."

And when the covey rose the dogs were bewildered
indeed, and knew not what was expected of them,

CCiy Fathei^'s Adventures. 43

for from the lusty lungs of the fifteen went forth
such a shout of " Maark " as could be heard a mile
off. Even from the shy man there went forth a
faint cry, he quickly turned away, however, as if
ashamed at this display of boldness.

But could this be the covey. The markers, open-
mouthed and shading their eyes with their hands,
could make out only eleven birds in the air. They
turned to see how many had been killed; and when
they had collected eight full-grown birds from the
arish, great was their delight. And one old fellow
flapping the skirts of his coat, as a crowing cock
flaps its wings, laughed merrily, and in a shrill voice
sang out " Vine work, vine work." Good practice
continued, and the bag filled rapidly. Sometimes a
covey would be marked into rushes, or short furze,
or scattered along a hedge-grip from which they
would rise singly, or in twos and threes, when they
seldom got further than the top of the hedge-bushes,
or exceeded in their flight twenty or thirty yards : at
that distance they generally came to a full stop.
When the shooting party had advanced some dis-
tance, a cry or holloa of '' Way, way, yep," assembled
the markers from their stations to take up fresh
posts of vantage. There did not appear to have
been any casualties among them, though they had
exposed themselves so freely to the chance of receiv-
ing what was intended for a " patherage." Indeed,

44 The Tetcott Hunt CUeek.

they appeared in greater force, and went on increasing
as the guns advanced to fresh ground. So that
when luncheon-time arrived, though two huge pasties
had been provided, and the old keeper carried his
own "apple creamy," apple pasty with some cream
inserted, and the shy man refused to eat as his
** stomach wouldn't bear it," each one's share
amounted to only three inches of very heavy paste,
inclosing a bit of hard meat, which was washed
down with a modest pull at the cider firkin. Yet
they all seemed happy, and contented with their
repast, and on making a fresh start, laid hold of
their ''brishers" with renewed vigour. Indeed, so
excited was one of the boys, that, when a hare
jumped out of her form, he gave chase, and pre-
vented the guns from firing. '' Get out of the way,
you httle atterflitter," shouted my father, ''or I shall
shoot you." The boy began to zig-zag like a jack-
snipe, thus dodging, as he supposed, the shotsmen's
aim. He made for the gate forthwith, and got
behind its post. But from this shelter he ventured
forth again, when the hare had been rolled over.
The pleasure of picking up and handling a hare being
irresistible. And as the other guns had gone on,
and my father had discharged both barrels, there
was time to secure the prize and get back before he
had reloaded. But the boy was not happy until he
again put the fence between him and his enemy;

my Father's Adventui^es. 45

and was overheard afterwards telling a companion
of the escape which he had effected by his nimble-
ness, for said he, *' I reckon they would have shet
me ef I hadn't a rinned. But they would have bin
hanged for it, wouldn't mun ? "

The birds on that day's beat having been " properly
squandered," and the guns not caring to go back
after single birds, the markers were called in and
formed line, so many between each gun, to try some
"big breeches," as large enclosures of furze and
rushy, rough ground are called, where hares, that
travel long distances for their food, sit in retirement,
and where cattle who cannot get out are supposed to
graze. My father passed a horse that was a mere
skeleton, and remarked to one of the men that the
horse was starved. '* He must be a proper fule,
then," the man replied, "for a caters for 'esself."

When all the party were in their places, the order
was given that the whole line should advance. The
'* brishers," which had in the previous part of the day
been held as in an " Alpenstock," were now reversed,
and shaken at imaginary hares, as a schoolmaster's
rod is handled to intimidate refractory boys. Soon
there was a ** Say-o ! " And the two nearest guns
closed upon the man who spoke. For a hare must
not be allowed to get away " whatever." No matter
how many barrels are discharged at it. The fusillade
rather increases the fun, and adds to the glory of

46 The Teteott Hunt CJCteek.

the successful shotsman, who is henceforth looked
upon with respect and admiration — so long as he
can maintain his character as a good shot. But if
anyone be so rash as to take the whole responsibility
on himself, and happen to fail in his attempt, he
sinks very low in the estimation of all present. They
look askance at him.

The party had proceeded but a short distance
after the first " Say-o ! " when there is another.
One of the markers pulled up short, and said, *' There
'e sets, looking a peart as a postilegger." And again,
after some scattered birds had been brought to bag,
a hat was held up, and the owner, in an excited
manner, beckoned to the nearest guns, and when
they came up, said, '* I 'most a stepped on un, and
shoald 'ev, too, ef I hadn't seed the heye on."

The hare is forthwith poked out of its seat with a
** brisher," and the next moment is lying belly upper-
most, whilst from the beaters is heard the voice of
approval, each hare killed adding to their delight.
" That's capital ! " '' There a is again ! " " Fust-
rate work ! "

Then a pheasant got up, and though the first of
October was three weeks' distant, one of the markers
cried out, " Lay go tu un, lay go toon ! " And then,
as the pheasant sailed away unmolested, he took off
his hat, and, scratching his head, said, " Dassy, I
zim as orft to've 'ad thicky."

cny Fathet^'s fldventu^es. 47

Another marker, when many hares, birds, vencock,
and various had' been added to the bag, anxious to
increase the total to the utmost, said, " Now then,
sir, I've marked in a suite by that ' plump of virs,'
ef your honour would like to go fore and ha' a shot."
But as the ''virs" were a quarter of a mile back,
instead of " vore," my father declined, with thanks ;
and being rather done with the heat and hills, he
called at a roadside inn for some beer to refresh
himself and the others with him. When the beer
was brought out it was freely consumed by the
markers, but my father and his friends could not
drink it, as it had been doctored with sugar or treacle
to rectify the effects of a thunderstorm. My father
was longing for a fresh, foaming draught, and asked
the woman of the inn if she had any bottled beer or
bottled porter. She replied, " No, sir, we haven't
got any bottled beer or bottled porter, but we've got
some bottled rum and bottled gin." The latter
might have done if copiously diluted ; but the water
there had a red iron sediment in it. So the shooting
party, thirsty though they were, determined to
betake themselves to their own inn.

On the way back the markers, in groups of three
or four, turned off, from time to time, in the direc-
tion of their homes. And, with a bow, and " I wish
your honours a good aveling," departed, much
pleased with their day's sport. And though they

48 The Teteott Hunt llXeeU:.

had tasted but little food since their early breakfast,
looking quite fresh and cheerful, unsubdued either
by hunger or fatigue, and much pleased at having
been able to show the young squire so many hares.

The dinner at the inn was well cooked, and every-
thing nice except the beer, which had been brewed
after the same receipt as that with which the
markers had regaled themselves at the end of the
day's beat, and my father must have fallen back on
the bottled rum and bottled gin, if he had not
brought some wine with him. After dinner the old
keeper entered, carrying in his hand a plate of
hedgenuts, and stroking down his hair over his fore-
head, said, " Gennelmen, I can accommodate 'e with
some nits." A glass of port was poured out for him,
but being a very abstemious man, and modest, he
refused it at first. After some pressing, however,
he took the glass, and, raising it solemnly, said,
*' Gennelmen, you very good healths. And, better
luck still."

The old keeper was a long time over his glass of
port, and during the absorbing process told my
father of the illness of a tenant who lived *' home
by." " Mr. Lillicrap isn't likely to be no better, so
I s'pose." " I am sorry for that," said my father.
'* Is he confined to his bed ? " " Well, sometimes
he"s to bade and sometimes down over stairs. But
he's not likely to be no better." " Has he seen any

CCly Fathet^'s fldventut^es. 49

doctor ? " asked my father. " O, iss, sure, 'e's bin
down to Plemmath to Doctor Wise for advice, but
Doctor Wise don't gee no advice now. A's radoosed,
so I s'pose, for 'e doesn't ge no advice, but 'e charges
a guinea, and then you go to a shop and have 'is
subscription made up. Wall, Mr. Lillicrap went to
un all the same, and took a guinea with un, and
shewed Dr. Wise his leag — 'tes 'is leag that's bad — •
and Dr. Wise said 'e'd never zeed such a thing —
never — in all 'is born days ! Then after thinking a
bit 'e zaid 'e thought 'e 'ad knawed a case something
simler. But 'e couldn't tell whaat 'twaas. 'E'd look
tu's buke, and if Mr. Lillicrap would cal again 'e'd
tell 'n. Wall, he sarched 'is buke, and there 'twaas !
And when Mr. Lillicrap comed again he told un —
"Tes toadstools!'" ** What ! " says, my father,
" toadstools ? " " Iss, vay, 'twaas toadstools !
'Twaas toadstools between the skin and the vlesh.
'Twould come out all scruffy like. Didn't bust.
And 'twould hitch most dreadful. Wus hitch 'e
ever knawed." At this report of Mr. Lillicrap's
state, the party began to scratch themselves. The
sufferer lived *' home by." Infection was in the air,
or contagion in the walls and door-posts, and even
in the very chairs they were sitting on ! They had
caught the complaint. They could feel the toad-
stools growing. They would to bed, and examine
themselves closely. But when they had divested

D

50 The Tctcott Hunt UXeeU:.

themselves of their garments, they could see no
appearance of the disease. Nothing scruffy had
come out, as yet, but the cold which my father felt
after getting into bed was enough to check its
coming out, and to throw it into the system.
Knowing the danger of this, he took immediate
steps to obviate it. The clothes were only sufficiently
wide to cover the bed when empty, and having my
father's big frame beneath them they drooped over
him as a cloth over a table, leaving a wide opening
or interregnum which admitted the draught from
ill-fitting casements, door, and floor. He therefore
got out of bed and collected garments enough to
secure one side of him, and tucked in the bedclothes
tightly on the other. But alas ! his troubles did not
end here. There was to be no rest for him that
night. The house was divided by wooden partitions,
every sound in the adjoining room was audible in
his, and the snoring in one of the compartments
made his bed vibrate. And early in the morning,
just as he was dropping off to sleep, voices in the
next room roused him. It seemed that a family
conclave was being held to arrange about the day's
luncheon, dinner, etc., for he heard the words,
*' Look, see here, 'ow be us going to order ? " and
then the voice of the old man calling to his grand-
daughter, " Rabecca, Rabecca, my dear, 'tes tiame
to riise." And shortly after — the first call not

CCly Fathet^'s Adventut^es. 51

having had the desired effect — ** Rabecca, my dear,
'tes time to riise ; do 'e git up, that's a good maid,
and ye sail ha' some nits." And a few minutes
later, " Don't 'e make so much noise, my dear,
you'll wake the gennelmen."

" Postera lux oritur multo gratissima," and the
inconveniences of the night were forgotten in the
enjoyment of the delicious freshness of the brightest
of bright September mornings, and in the anticipa-
tion of another good day's sport, of which the party
were not disappointed, for the old keeper's wish
expressed overnight in the toast, '* Better luck still,"
was realized. But they were all glad to find them-
selves in my father's comfortable home at night, for
they had learnt from experience that Falstaff, when
he used the words, " Shall I not take mine ease at
mine inn, but I shall have my pocket picked," must
have frequented a very different sort of inn from
their last night's lodging, where honesty abounded
but ease was scant.

The next day being Sunday, my father and his
friends walked to the parish Church, where they
found the parsonage pew, which was generally full
to overflowing, empty. Something very serious
must have happened, thought my father ; for the
vicar had a very large family — a very small income,
though. Mouths were more plentiful than victuals,
and backs than clothing. On the occasion of a

52 The Tetcott Hunt LUeek.

rather grand tea-party at the Vicarage, one of the
boys was found to be so ragged that he was told to
keep out of sight. But so perverse was he, and so
anxious to see and be seen, that he got on the
window sill, and walked up and down there during
the entertainment, displaying to the company his
tattered garments, which were only fit for a
scarecrow.

On this particular Sunday none of the vicar's
family were in Church. He alone was present, and
looking very woe-begone. After service my father
asked him if anything was amiss at home. *' O, sir,"
he replied, " such a calamity, such a dreadful mis-
fortune has befallen us ! Mrs. B^ , as her custom

is, put the children's and her own clean things into
the oven overnight, that they might be thoroughly
dry for Sunday morning, and when she went to take
them out, she found them all burnt, sir, burnt to a
cinder. Fortunately, my shirt was not with the
children's things, but airing on a chair by itself, and
was thus saved, otherwise I do not know what I
should have done. For all the things taken off on
Saturday night are immediately placed in water to
soak till Monday morning's washing, and we have
no extra garments to fall back upon in an emergency
of this kind."

The careful, but unfortunate mother came one day
soon after this accident to call on my father about

cny Father's Adventui^es. 53

parish matters, and was taken to the farmyard to see
some poultry. Whilst there the lady's eyes were
attracted by an old chariot, a carriage on C springs,
with two windows in front, and one on each side,
and shaped like an old post-chaise, but more roomy.
This old chariot, long past service, stood in an out-
house. " Oh ! what a beautiful carriage," she
exclaimed ; '' I wonder you never use it. What a
pity that it should not be turned to some account !
I only wish I had it ! " " Why, my dear madam,"
said my father, " the cocks and hens roost in it.
But if it can be of any use to you, it is perfectly at
your service." She was delighted, and sent for the
carriage next day. And soon after, when my father
called at the vicarage, she said, '* Now, sir, I will
show you to what use I have put your beautiful
carriage." She led him upstairs to the room
occupied by the worthy couple, where the carriage,
taken off its own bed, had been placed on theirs,
and made a very snug sleeping-place, when all the
windows were drawn up. '' Oh, sir," she said, ** it

is such a comfort ! Mr. B is so delighted with

it ! He can lie in bed and look.out of the windows,
and see all about him. And no draught."

The bed was easily drawn out from beneath the
front windows, when it had to be made. And the
doors of the chariot opened upon the most con-
venient place for getting between the sheets.

54 The Tetcott Hunt CUeek.

Sixty years ago, and even later, all fresh air, or,

as it was then called, draught, was, as far as possible,

excluded from the beds, which were four-posted, and

had a top or canopy over them, extending their

whole length, and from the canopy a deep valance

and fringe drooped over six curtains, two on each

side, and two at the foot. These curtains were

carefully closed, and sometimes pinned together at

night to make things snug. The steads or frames

were higher than at present, and had on them a

mattress and two feather beds, or " ties," so that

there was not above four feet distance to top or

canopy of bed. The space within the curtains was

therefore limited, and the view very much so, which

accounts for the vicar's high appreciation of the

chariot windows. The beds were so high that three

steps were placed at their side to enable aspirants to

mount.

I have seen a drawing — in Punch I think it is to
be found — of " Last in bed put out the light." It
represents a race between man and wife to do this
bit of climbing, which, in addition to the help of
steps, required a firm clutch at the bedclothes, and
some considerable effort of muscular power. In the
drawing the heads of the couple meet at the exact
centre of the bed ; so the race was a dead-heat, and
required to be run over again.

CQ

o

o

o

w

cu

Thutrsday, ^ehPUQiPy 15th, 1894.

HIS is Mr. Sperling's day. His hounds
were called '' The Lamerton " before he
took them on, seven years ago. He is
not only an M.F.H., but also the owner of a pack of
harriers. The meet is Tregeare. I ride Robin
Hood. Mr. Sperling has, I am told, a horse, and a
very good one, of the same name. Perhaps the two
Robins may meet. The distance to Tregeare is
great. I arrive late. The lodge keeper closes the
gate against me, and points down the road on which
the hounds are. I catch them up in time to see
them thrown into covert. Find at once. And a
splendid run is the result. As there is no fair com-
panion with me to-day, I have time as I journey
home to dwell on the day's sport, and to ride the
run over again in my mind. I leave the description
of the hounds and their work to one better qualified
to write it. I am a stranger to the country, and
can give no better description of the day, which I
enjoyed in company with others, than is to be found
in the following ode

56 The Teteott Hunt CZieek.

TO ROBIN.

Though cold winter still wears her grey mantle and snood,
Bright as summer the eye of the glad Robin Hood
As he comes forth so blithely. Of Jack-in-Green's " bluid "
And the pride of the stable is gay Robin Hood.
And lo ! here comes his master, in merriest mood,
For to-day he's to ride thee, his best, Robin Hood.
They are off to Tregeare. At the lodge they're taboo'd,
For the hounds have passed on. Here they are, Robin

Hood.
At a signal from Spiller they fly to the wood.
Spreading out o'er the covert. Stand still, Robin Hood.
Surely there was a whimper ! Yes : there again. Good !
It's a find ! it's a find ! Trembles bold Robin Hood ?
Yes : but not with cold fear, or the lack of good food ;
'Tis the pack's joyous music stirs keen Robin Hood.
Fast and fierce to the front thrust the hard ones, who

stood
On the Attery's marshes, past flecked Robin Hood,
For his master reins in. Rob would lead if he could.
"■ Shall they throw back the dirt at me ? " quoth Robin

Hood.
Now wild Robin be patient, get clear of the wood,
And 'tis then I'll indulge thee, my hot Robin Hood.
Far behind lies the vale whence the " field " just now

moved ;
Fast, oh fast flies the ground 'neath the fleet Robin Hood.
They're away to the downs where Rome's campment

erst stood.

Thutrsday, Febt^uatry 15th, 1894. 57

Have a care. Work's before thee, my fresh Robin

Hood.
'Tis the ran of the season. They're racing for blood.
<* And I now hold my own," says the proud Robin Hood.
Let not sorrow be courted, nor danger pooh pooh'd ;
Black and deep are the bogs here. Beware ! Robin

Hood.
There ! we've got into trouble. I knew well we should
If we crossed this deep bottom. My poor Robin Hood !
'<■ Do not grieve, my kind master ; on trouble ne'er brood.
I'm in, and I'm out, sir ! " says quick Robin Hood.
Ah ! well done ! stalwart Robin ; as gold thou art good ;
Tough and strong is thy fibre, my stout Robin Hood.
Now hounds fling to the right. Is it acre or rood
That we traverse so quickly, my swift Robin Hood ?
Here's a fence, and a big one. Rob cares not a bond.
Sure you never can do it, my dear Robin-Hood ?
" Prithee, trust to me, master, mine's no doubting mood.
Funking's only for soft ones. But I'm Robin Hood.
Think, oh think what they'd say, sir, while munching
their food

In the stable at home, of the ' Bold Robin Hood,'

If they heard of his flinching stone, water, or wood !

It is not to be thought of ! " says stern Robin Hood.

Then erect sits his master, all doubt now removed ;

He will not disappoint thee, my brave Robin Hood.

They are over. But hark ! There's a holloa ! He
viewed !

'' I must strive to be with them," says tough Robin Hood.

'' Shall I prove me soft-hearted ? Soft-hearted, beshrewed !

58 The Tetcott Hunt LUeek.

No one e'er saw me give in," says staunch Robin Hood.
But, lo ! now comes the river, deep, rocky, in flood,
Twisted roots on its banks, too, to trap Robin Hood.
Oh ! how much do I wish we on other side stood.
Rotten banks and tree roots cleared by thee, Robin

Hood.
For I Hke not the prospect of cold bath. Who would ?
" But the pace keeps the blood warm," says clipped

Robin Hood.
It is crossed. Hear the music ! Straight up through

Torwood
Fly poor Reynard, and hounds, and the wet Robin Hood,
T 'wards the moors where huge tors of grey granite

protrude,
Warbstow Burrows in foreground, now strides Robin

Hood.
They're from scent into view ! He will soon '* dree his

drood."
Hounds are straining. Oh ! stick to them, game Robin

Hood.
Though yet fast flies stout Reynard, by yokels hallood,
Faster follow the hounds, faster, too, Robin Hood.
Gallant fox, thou'rt rolled over. 'Mongst hounds there

is feud.
And a sob seems to come from the spent Robin Hood.
The excitement was madd'ning while chase was pursued ;
Now he shrinks from the " worry," does " Bold Robin

Hood."
For the brave respect courage, and pluck unsubdued,
Be it e'en in an enemy. Home ! Robin Hood.

FHday, Febtraat^y 16th, 1894,

ATH ready, sir," says William. I spring
from my bed as if shot from a catapult.
Such a day's sport and such delightful
company as I enjoyed on Wednesday has given a zest
to life, and made quite a new man of me. No longer
do I care for that extra half-hour's snooze which
entails hurry and vexation. " On beds of down your
dandies lie, and waste the cheerful morn." Not I. I
am now one of the right sort. No irresolution now.
I get up at once, dress, breakfast, and ride forth to
** Stowford Cross." I am on *' Skylark," and feel
like flying. All nature is bright and joyous. The
birds are serenading their mates, and warbling forth
a happy presage for the coming day. As I jog along
I hum to myself the old ballad which I learned of
my father —

"It was early in the spring, when the merry birds did sing,
And they sang of a hunting morning."

I arrive at the meet in good time, and soon my
Valentine of Wednesday appears. We ride on
together to Upcott Gorse, which is drawn blank ;
thence to Cowditch Plantation, where a fox is found

6o The TetGott Hunt CJUeek.

that gives us a ring through Hunscott, Bratton,
Blagadon, and back again. It is said to be a vixen,
but I am no expert in such matters.

I was sorely tried last month when shooting with
an Irish officer who rents a place near me. We had
killed a great many hares, and my friend, after con-
sultation with his keeper, said to me, '' I don't think
wee shall keell any more haeres. I don't know quhat
wee will do with the haeres." Then after a little
thought he said, " Whell, eef it's a bhuck or jack
ye may shoot, but spare does, spare does." And
this to a man who can hardly distinguish a hen from
a cock pheasant when the order is given, '' Spare
hens."

From Cowditch, giving the fox the benefit of a
doubt, we go on to draw for a fresh one, and on
Circuit Moor we find one of the straight-nose sort,
and which some knowing men pronounce to be of
the real old tiger breed. He goes away in full view
of the whole field, and with the pack at his brush.
The rush of cavalry is terrific, and in the confusion
and blinding showers of mud and peat from leading
horses' heels, I lose my fair one for a time. But
when the '' field " opens out a bit, and I recover the
use of my eyes, I catch sight of her at the tail of
the pack. At racing speed I follow, but still in the
ruck, worse luck, as all are going their best.

Close to the town of Holsworthy a check enables

^fiiFiiS^

\A^^^

,^^

Fmday, Febt^uatry 16th, 1894. 6i

me to come up with the hounds and my lady love,
which seems to mean one and the same thing, as
she is always with them. There is only time to
greet one another with a smile of satisfaction at our
reunion, when a halloa forward enables Mr. Coryton
to get his hounds again on the line, which they carry
on over moor and open country, till we feel the sea
breezes fan our heated brows. And near the old
house, '' Langford Hill," the hounds run into the
gallant fox in the open, after a run of an hour and
twenty-five minutes.

My companion and I refresh our tired horses at
Marhamchurch, and then ride slowly home, con-
gratulating ourselves at having been so fortunate as
to see this grand run, and hoping to enjoy just such
another to-morrow.

I am beginning to thoroughly appreciate a good
thing, for I can look about me now. These West
country banks have not the unpleasant look to me
that they had. My horses seem to like them, and,
on approaching one, gather their hind legs under
them in such a manner as to give confidence to the
rider that he is sure to reach the top, and the power
of gravity will do the rest. And oh, how the music
of a pack of hounds rouses the blood and puts one
on his mettle !

I leave my fiance at her friend's house, and late in
the evening once more find myself in my comfortable

62 The Tetcott Hunt Ujeek.

armchair, after having dined well. *' Sure, never
man's prospects were brighter," as the Oxford fresh-
man sings. I am the accepted suitor of the most
lovely of England's lovely daughters, and I have
distinguished myself in the hunting field.

From Holsworthy to the finish I was in the first
flight ; indeed, often first, save that a vision of
beauty glided on before me, o'er moor and fen like a
Will o' the Wisp, and as unapproachable, but never
leading its follower into trouble, as that false guide
does.

I hope to-morrow's performance will prove that I
have really and truly gained much in skill and judg-
ment by the last three days' experience in riding to
hounds. " Chapman's Well " is the fixture for
to-morrow, and is the very place from which my
father had a run which resulted in an unusual finish.
The meet was a very favourite one in the days when
Mr. Phillipps hunted the country, and before the
downs and moors had been enclosed and subdivided.
On the occasion to which my father's story alludes,
the hounds found late in the day, and it was growing
dark when, after a very fine run, they killed their
fox in the open.

Whilst the obsequies were going on, there was a
distant sound of hounds running. It came nearer
and nearer, till at last a pack of rather small size
hounds swept by at a rattling pace. My father and

Fmday, F^bt^uat^y 16th, 1894. 63

two others who were present followed them, as did also
a farmer on a 'bare-back steed who had witnessed
the last part of the run and the death of the " Chap-
man's Well " fox. They had a brilliant ten minutes,
and the light just allowed them to see a second fox
rolled over in the open. The farmer was particularly
delighted with the performance, and said, " They be
vine little dogs, I warn 'em. But, sir, be 'em
haryers or fox taryers ? They're a rare little pack,
whatever they be."

And after this exciting sport he went back to the
inn, where he had left his cart and " sharpt " horse,
and there got so overcome with drink that he fell
asleep in his cart on the way home, and met with a
curious adventure. Meantime the three friends
took charge of the hounds, and brought them back
to the home of one of the party, who lived near at
hand. And then my father and his other com-
panion, after stopping awhile to refresh themselves
and their horses, proceeded on their homeward
road.

My father's fellow-traveller rode on for some dis-
tance silent and pre-occupied, chafing, it seems,
about an argument which he had that morning held
with a brother sportsman with regard to the move-
ment of the sun ; for after riding some way in
silence, he blurted out, " They du tell up such
stuff! What du 'e think they say now? Why,

64 The Tetcott Hunt CUeek.

they say the sun doesn't muve ! No, if you please,
'tis the earth that muves ! Passel of old nonsense.
The sun not muve, indeed ! Can't I believe my own
eyes? Don't I see en muve? Ha'nt I seen en all
the days of my life going down behind the Cornish
hills, eveling after eveling? Passel of rubbish, that's
what 'tis."

Here he arrived at a point where the road branched
off towards his distant home in North Devon, and
my father proceeded alone along the highway. He
had not gone far, however, before he overtook a
butt — as a two-wheel cart is called here — and in it,
after close scrutiny, he recognized, by the faint
starlight, the very farmer who had been present at
the death of both foxes. My father was unable to
rouse him, and fearing some accident, dismounted,
tied his hunter to a gate, and leading the farmer's
horses to a bit of waste ground by the roadside,
took them out of the cart, and dismissed them with
a crack of his whip to their home, and left the
owner in his butt to sleep off his potations.

A man, up early to visit his lambing ewes, saw
him wake, sit up in his cart, scratch his head, and
look about him to find out " where 'e waas toJ" He
seemed puzzled at finding no horses in front of him.
Again he scratched his head, and peered out over
the side of the butt to read the name painted on it.
He repeated the name aloud to himself, and said,

Fmday, Febt^aat^y 16th, 1894. 65

*'Jan Poat. But be I Jan Poat, or bant I Jan
Poat ? If I be Jan Poat, I've a lost my 'osses. . . .
And if I bant Jan Poat, . . . I've a vound a butt."

The question was solved on his reaching Jan Poat's
home, where the rating which he got from J. P.'s
wife thoroughly convinced him of his identity. His
dog's tail, too, wagged as well as the housewife's
tongue. The horses also, grazing in '* Bo' town,"
recognized his voice, and came to his call. And
soon man, horses, and cart were put together again,
and the veritable Jan Poat and equipage entered his
own farmyard, but not in triumph ; for being unable
to account for last night's proceedings, he looked
rather ashamed of himself.

Will any such queer tale arise from to-morrow's
doings, I wonder ? And what will my. " Chapman's
Well " day bring me with regard to sport ? Two
kills in the open ? A repetition of to-day's splendid
run will suffice me.

Satut^day, Febi^uai:^y 17th, 1894.

LAS ! alas ! I wake to hear the rain beating
against my window and gushing from the
shutes. I get out of bed and look forth.
All external objects are blurred in a dull, leaden
ocean of moisture. But remembering the old say-
ing— there are exceptions to all rules — " Rain at
seven, clear at eleven," I take courage and start for
** Chapman's Well." The name of the " meet "
does not sound very tempting in such weather. I
hope Mr. Chapman will not put me into his well, and
so finish what the morning threatens to do for me.

I arrive at the " meet " damp, decidedly damp.
The rain is coming in at sundry parts of my clothing.
The day is bitterly cold, too ; and it is quite a relief
to find that my lady love has not been allowed to
face such weather as this. But here is the Master,
staunch to his tryst, though his years must be
approaching the allotted threescore and ten. As
for myself, though not arrived at that period of life,
I have arrived at a very wet period, and am fast
approaching a state of pulp. But I try to look
happy and hopeful and as if nothing were the matter,
though I feel every moment fresh streams issuing

Satut^day, pebtruati^y I7th, 1894. 67

from my spongy garments. The assemblage of
dripping men and horses move off to a brake
adjoining the '* meet," and, unperceived by me, in
consequence of the bhnding rain, sHp through some
gate or gap that admits them to firmer going, and
I find myself alone in my glory. The ground is
treacherous, and I am soon floundering through a
soft place, and sink to the girths. Horse comes out
thickly plastered with black slime. My boots, too,
have received a coating of the same composition, and
my v^hole person is sprinkled with jets of bog water.

Out of this moor in which I find myself the only
way seems to be over a high bank, with a broad,
wet ditch on the take-off side. I dismount, throw
the reins over my horse's neck, slip whip-lash
through them, jump the ditch with difficulty, as my
garments are clinging to me and heavy with wet,
climb to top of bank, and give my horse a jerk of
the bridle to make him follow me. He runs back-
wards, and pulls me off the fence into the deep
trench of red, iron water at the foot. Try again.
Get over this time, but in landing on the other side
of bank slip, and fall on my face and hands into
yellow clay.

The next fence has a slight-looking oak branch
across the opening at which I ride. The branch is
stiffer than it seemed to be. I cannot push it aside,
and am wrenched out of my saddle, and fall into

68 The Teteott Hunt CXleek.

blue clay this time. I am becoming a highly
decorated work of art, for in passing through a
thick copse huge brambles tear my cheeks and
streak them with red, and an inky purple is running
down my forehead from a soaked hat, that has
assumed the shape of a *' Beefeater's."

And what can I expect in return for all this annoy-
ance ? Scent must surely be drowned, as was the Irish-
man's whisky, when " some mischavious person had
poured a lot of wather on top of it." Still it was, he
hoped, to be got at near the bottom of his glass.
But the hounds, I fear, will not to-day get at a taste
or touch of scent, as more water is being continually
poured on it. Hounds' noses must be completely
stuffed up with water ; let them sneeze as they will.
It is water, water everywhere. It runs down the
nape of my neck, it falls from my hat to the saddle,
and from saddle and overcoat glides beneath my
knees and into my boots, which are becoming like a
pair of full water cans. I must empty them on the
first opportunity. There is a gate before me, which
has to be unbound. I get down to do this, and as
there is no one near — if the field were trying to keep
away from me, they could not do so more effectually
— I cast myself down on the wet spongy ground,
and kick up my heels in the air. But the water will
not leave me. It merely passes from one part of me
to another. From my boots it glides along my

V

■n\ ■

^tv

Satut'day, ^ehPUapy I7th, 1894. 69

tilted legs to waistband and small of back. The
sensation is electrifying. I cannot bear the shock.
The water trickling up my spine makes me shiver.
I get up and unbind the gate, mount, and proceed
across a ploughed field — very deep going indeed — to
a fence into the high road. The driving rain confuses
me, and half blinded I jump on to what appears to
be an ordinary bank, and find myself on the roof of
a cartshed which has the hedge in place of a
back wall. What is to be done ? If I advance a
step farther I shall go through. I must retrace my
steps if possible. I do so without mishap. For,
though my horse's hind legs break into the thatched
roof as he turns, yet he cleverly recovers himself,
and descends safely to terra flrma. I look out a
place free from lean-to farm buildings, and get into
the road. Meantime the hounds, whilst I have been
manoeuvering at a distance, have been steadily draw-
ing brake after brake, covert after covert, in vain.
I catch sight of them every now and then, but can
never get to them. I see them now crossing a deep
bottom, towards a gorse on the opposite hill. I try
once more to join them, and get *' properly stogged "
in a athomless mire. The rain is coming down in
torrents, the wind is '' cruel cold," and my teeth
chatter, as I try to assist and encourage my horse
to extricate himself from the bog. He cannot do so.
I have to seek help at a neighbouring farm. With

70 The Teteott Hunt LUeek.

the aid of three strong men and ropes I get out my
poor nag. Scrape him, to find the saddle. Mount,
and go home.

Query: Will my people know me when I get
there? Will they recognize, in this double-skirted,
painted mummy, and mud-encased hippopotamus,
the gay master and bright bay hunter that left them
in the morning? And oh ! the destruction to clothes
and saddlery ! not to mention the risk of colds to
self and valuable hunter.

This reckless sacrifice of property must not go on.
It will be perfect ruin. I go better in company, and I
want help in directing my home affairs too. My place
in Thursday's run was due to a clever hunter, but
all horses are not Robin Hoods. But the ready
judgment and quick perception of my fair companion
of Wednesday and Friday are of priceless value, not
only in the hunting field, but in a home. She is an
Egeria to me. Had she met me at the Well
(Chapman's) to-day, my course would not have
been fraught with so much ill.

Next week — if I can get the lady's permission to
do so — steps shall be taken towards securing me a
charming counsellor, who shall help to direct my
future course aright.

I will put in my banns, and crown my new depar-
ture by acquiring the advantages of " The Married
Bachelor."

CriQiPtiied—UXedding Toutr.

T is done. The banns have been called.
The marriage ceremony has been per-
formed. And amid the ringing of bells,
cheers of friends, and a shower of old slippers, I
drive off with my wife to spend the honeymoon
in Italy. But we never get further than London.
Here I find out, quite by accident, that Italy
has no attraction for her equal to home, my
much-loved home. This I discover one day on
proposing that she should get some additional
furniture and ornament for her drawing-room and
boudoir. She will not hear of it. She has seen my
house, and says, "The dear old place is simply
perfect, and wants nothing to improve.it. And oh !
how she is longing to find herself there ! "

Can I believe my ears? What joy to hear this !
It is the very wish of my heart to see her duly
installed as mistress of my hearth and home. Such,
then, being the desire of both of us, we decide to
turn our steps westward at once.

Home.

|E have been at home for a few weeks only,
yet every province of my little kingdom has
experienced a new departure. I am still
supposed to rule, but I have to submit to the guidance

72 The Tetcott Hunt CXleek.

of my Prime Minister. And the chief duty required
of me now is to assent to her enactments, and
to attach my name to certain documents. But
I must say that since she has held the offices of
Chancellor of the Exchequer and Home and Foreign
Minister, there has been an improvement in the
State affairs. All has been well in my dominion
and prospered under her rule. She is very popular,
too, and has won the hearts of my subjects, over
whom she possesses unlimited sway. Sometimes I
venture to give orders as of yore, when I was an
absolute monarch. But my commands are treated
as unconstitutional. If I tell my old and loyal
subject William to do such and such a thing, he
reverently and politely suggests that perhaps missis
will not like it. If I ask my cook to sometimes give
me certain savoury dishes that I favoured of old, she
replies, "You had better speak to missis, and she will
no doubt allow you to have them." When I order
a recently purchased horse to be saddled for me,
my groom says, " Missis has given particular orders
that he is never to be brought out again for
your riding, sir, as he is unsafe." Still, I must not
murmur. All is done for my sake, and to secure my
welfare and happiness.

My wife is very fond of gardening, and I have
committed to her charge the laying out of flower
beds, and requested her to make any alteration in

Home. 73

the grounds that she thinks will be an improvement,
whilst I busy mj^self about my new farm buildings.

After we have completed our arrangements we
start for a six weeks' visit to my brother-in-law and
his wife, who have returned from their winter
quarters in Italy to spend the summer months at
their place in Yorkshire. When we come back to
our home I am surprised at the change I find there.
The garden is laid out in the most perfect taste.
The flowers form exquisite combinations of colour,
and also fill the air with delicious scents.

"Why, Andrew," I say, ''what have you been
doing here ? " '' Well, sir," he replies, " 'tesn't me,
'tes missis. But you'll get used to it after a bit. I
didn't like the idea of it myself at fust, and I told
missis I wouldn't be responsible for the consequences.
And then I explained to her how we got our fine
effects by using great masses of red and yellow. But
she only laughed, and said, * O, Andrew ! I'm afraid
you're not Eastmetic' ' No, mam,' I said, * I'm
thankful to say I'm not.' Then she laughed again.
And a pleasant laugh it was, too. I couldn't make
it up ; I was flabergastered. I couldn't believe that
such a nice young lady would wish ill to an old man,
and servant of your honour's, too. And you know,
sir, astmatic, which I thought 'er meant, is a very
bad complaint ; not so bad, p'raps, as brown
typhus, or broken chitis, as some cal it, but a

F

74 The TetGOtt Hunt LCteek.

man died of it not long ago. You must have
heard of it, sir." '' No, Andrew." '* Well, sir, you
know Mr. Jay up to Yoticker ? You were shooting
over his farm last September. Well, 'twasn't he,
'twas honcle to 'e. Thes man died some years ago.
He married Mr. Jay's father's wife's sester ; and
'e died coming back from market in a waggon.
But the mother o' un said, ef 'er'd bin there, 'er'd
have saved un tho'. He'd bin offen took'd like that,
and 'er used to put the bellows tu's mouth. O, sir,
I was sure missis couldn't wish to get rids of me by
this complaint, at a time, too, when the hotbeds and
houses require so much attention. And by 'arkening
tu 'er for abit, I found out that Eastmetic doesn't mean
astmatic, but a mixing up of a lot of different flowers
to look like the bits of coloured glass in a kale eyea-
scoop. You don't get the grand effect that whole
beds of one colour give, but I zim arter all that the
young lady's Eastmetic is more prettier like. Old
missis's garden looks for all the world like a Torkey
carpet spread out to air. 'Tes as nat'ral as life.
And the border where we used to grow nasturtiums
and a whole line of sunflowers that people admired
so much, is now filled with sweet-smelling plants
and flowers of all sarts and kinds. More interesting
like. But it adds to the work, for some fresh flower
is continually making its appearance, and I 'ave to
put a name tu't. I've used up all I can think on, so

Home. 75

I look out some fresh uns out of Mr. Veitch's buke,
and keep repeating of them over and over again till
missis comes out, when she is sure to remark the
new flowers, and to ask me what they be. And very
thankful she is for the information I gee 'er. I will
say that. But it's hard work."

From the garden and rosary I go on to the old
bowling green, beyond which, lo and behold ! a
newly-made tennis and croquet ground, and beyond
that again, a level stretch of meadow has been mown
and rolled, and planted with archery butts. These
preparations portend a grand gathering of the
country side at no distant date : " to be continued,"
perhaps. I shall hear more of this anon.

One thing is certain, viz., that with all this seeming
extravagance, my exchequer is in a flourishing con-
dition, and everyone seems to smile on us in kind-
ness and approbation : on me for bringing such a
wife into the country, and on my wife for her own
goodness, as it is evident, short though her sojourn
here has been, that her chief pleasure consists in
giving pleasure to others.

The End.