Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-21
me somewhere in the vicinity Of Cars

UBS BOIOGWuSLS III luS NIClulIy VI NZ6k ,
ears. we were over.
The field we landed in was stiffish fall
low, but Car still urged on his wild
career" with undated speed. / shock
back into the saddle. and passing regret
that I had neglected to insure my life
against accidents fitted through my mind.
continued TO cling to the pommel. and in
this manner we negotiated three more
fences. and got into quiet lane, when.
much to my establishment Gar stopped
dead short. We had. to my sincere delight.
lost the hounds patted Gar gently on
the neck. and quickly dismounting. led
him slowly down the lane. We had not
proceeded far when discerned a country
lad coming towards me. carrying in his
hand nv lost hat, which had been battered
out Of all shape by a horses hoof. l re-
covered the lost head gear, climbed back
into the saddle intending to walk Gar
quietly homeward, when | conld discover
In what direction home was. But as i'll
luck would have it, at that precise moment
the sound of horn was heard far off in
the distance. Gar pricked up his ears
and gave a sudden start, and on nv at
tempting to check him. reared straight
on end, while / lovingly elasped him
round the neck with both arms, and with
one plunge forward and upward we left
that lane and that country youth forever.
We landed in a pasture, and were going
at fearful pace up a slight incline.
Arriving at the top. the whole hunt was
10 be seen coming down the valley.
And now Gar would take no denial.
Rushing down the slope. at speed to
which all former exertions Of his had been
as mere child's play, flew over double
post and rails. and found myself a good
field in front of the foremost flight Of horse.
men and close on to the hounds. Onward
still onward until looming in the distance
appeared a Struggling line Of s.unted wi.
lows, which, even to my Initiated vision.
meant water" Splash there goes the
fox Splash, splash there 60 the hounds
hear voices shouting behind me as if in
warning but all can do is to hold on and |
trust in Providence. Our pace, if possible |
increases. and with a sort of idea of going |
up in balloon, Gar and myself seem |
suspended in the air miles above the brook
II seems ages before we come down again. |
which we do with a jerk that would have
unseated me had it not been for Gar |
suddenly springing forward and shaking |
me back to my proper place. We rush on
10 where the hounds seem tn be scrambling |
for something and quarreling amongst |
have run into the fox |
and Gar comes to standstill Just outside !
the worrying pack.
Up comes the first whip and tlogs them
off their prey, and | see Sir Harry ad |
vancing towards me. red in the face and
gestieulating with his heavy
hunting crop What have done Have
| unconsciously infringed some point in
hunting etiquette or have | hurt the Gar?
Neither the one or the other. Sir Harry
horse. comes up to me and Selling me by
the hand nearly wrings my arms off and
bursts out with: ..
well done, my boy You rascal. you
You've pounded the whole of us. Never
saw such going in all my life. Don't be-
lieve there's another man in The field that
could have done it. Here Lord George
to the noble master who at this moment
rode up-''permit me to introduce my
friend. Mr.. De Boots"
"Delighted to make your acquaintance,
SIR" says his Lordship. shaking me
heartily by the hand. Il trust TO be able
to show you some good sport if you are
of remaining in our country
though if YOU do we shall all have to look
to our laurels, for YOU went like a bird,
sir"
While he is speaking several gentlemen
ride up, to all of whom | am introduced,
and all of whom praise what they are
pleased to call my ''plucky riding"
Miss Kate comes up as the last obsequies
are being performed, and on the huntsman,
to nod from his Lordship, who
is no lover of women in the hunting field,
presented me with the brush, | handed it
to her with all the grace compatible with
mud-stained habiliments, and crushed
and battered hat.
We rode home together-Sir Harry and
an old crony of his riding some distance
in the rear. Gar was complacent and
had apparently had quite enough. at any
rate. for that day; so thinking that might
never have another such opportunity.
gently took Hates whip hand and ventured
to put that question which had been so
long on the tip of my tongue.
Her answer was a whisper Yes" but
suddenly turning to me she added-"On
one condition"
Name it. dearest" replied.
''You are SO rash and daring that Won
must promise never to hunt after we are
Need say how readily l gave the re-
quired pledge and how faithfully kept it j?