The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-04-14

manner we negotiated three more fences,
and got into quiet lane, when, to my as
constituent, Gar stopped dead short. We
had. to my sincere delight, lost the hounds.
patted Car gently ON the neck, and quick
ly dismounting. led him slowly down the
spring. seem to have left the lower part
of my waistcoat and it's contents on the
other side of the obstacle-and, with jolt
which pitched me somewhere in the vicin-
ity of the Czars ears, we were over.
The field we landed in was a stiffish fall
low, but Car still urged on his wild car
reer" with undated speed. Ishook back
into the saddle, and passing regret that I
cidents fitted through my mind. conclud-
ed to cling to the pommel, and in this
lane. We had not proceeded far when I
liscerned country lad coming towards mo
carrying in his hand my lost hat, which had
been battered out of all shape by horses
hoof. recovered the lost head gear, climb
ed back into the saddle intending to walk
Car quietly homewards, when could dis
cover in what direction home was. But
as il-lluck 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 sudden start, and on my
attempting to check him had reared straight
on end, while lovingly clssped him round
the neck with both arms, and with one
plunged forward and upward we left that
country and lane forever We landed in a
pasture, and were going at fearful pace
up slight incline. Arrived at the top, the
whole hunt was to lie seen coming down
the valley.
And now Gar would take no denial.
Rushing down the slope, at a speed to
which al former exertions of his had been
as mere child's play, flew over double
post and rails, and I found myself 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 stunted will
lows which, even to my initiated vision,
meant water" Splash! there goes the
fox! Splash! splash! there goes the hounds!
hear voices shouting behind me as If in
warming. but all can do is to hold on and
trust in Providence. Our pace, if possible
increases, and, with sort of idea of going
up in balloon, Car and myself seemed
suspended in the air miles above the brook
1t seems ages before we come down again,
which we do with a jerk that would have
unseated me had it not been for Gar sud-
':enly springing forward and shaking me
DdCh W LILY p1OpcA plfaCc. We IuSu vi W
where the hounds seem to be scrambling
for something and quarreling amongst
themselves-tney have run into the fox and
Gar comes to a standstill Just outside the
worrying pack.
Up comes the first whip and fogs them
off their prey and see Sir Henry advancing
towards me- red in the face, and violately
gesticulating with his heavy hunting CT on.
What have done? Have unconsciously
fringed some point in hunting etiquette or
have I hurt Gear? Neither one nor the
other. Sir Harry hastily tlinging himself
off his steaming horse, comes up to me, and
Selling me by the hand nearly wrings my
arm 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
MIR. De Boots.
sir, says his 1brdship. shaking me heart
lily by the hand. trust to be able to show
you some good sport if you are thinking Of
remaining in ourcountry, though if you do
We shall all have to look to our laurels, for
you went like bird, SIR
While he is speaking several gentlemen
ride up, to all Of whom I 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,
| obedient to nod from his lordship, who
| is no lover of women in the hunting field,
presenting me with the brush, I handed it
to her with all the grace compatible with
mud stained habiliments, and a crushed
and battered hat.
We rode home together-Sir Henry and
an old crony Of his riding some distance in
the rear Gear 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 Kate's whip hand and ventured to put
that question which had been so long on
the tip of my tongue.
Her answer was whisper "yes;' but sud-
denly turning to me she added-"On one
condition"
Name it, dearest" replied.
"You are SO rash and daring that you
must promise me never to hunt after We are
married."
Need / sayhow readily gave the required
| Dledoe and how faithfully I kept it,"