Frederick citizen., 1895-02-15

an old dog fox, who headed straight
Tor the far-famed and greatly dreaded
stanton brook. I say greatly dread
ed designedly, for although it can al
most be jumped at a stand at certain
places. its banks are so steep, and So
treacherously undermined that it re-
quires a very bold water-jumper to
clear 1t successfully. Many a gallant
rider has subsided into the muddy
depths of that turbid stream and
wandered vainly up and down them in
pursuit of his steed
Directly the fox broke covert a trc-
mendous stampede took place among
the field. who. placing prudence before
valor. with q few exceptions, made off
in hot haste for the nearest ford, and
no one could blame them either
would have done the same If 1 could
not rellshing a cold immersion so early
in the day. But it was perfectly hope
less endeavoring to follow the example
OF the ma ajority. AS soon as she caught
sight of the hounds streaming over the
green grass, Virago pricked up her
ears and darted off in pursuit, without
deigning to consult the will of her
owner. Heavens! what a mouth the
d
Sampson or a Sandow to stop her.
Ordinary muscles were useless, for shs
could ull. and no mistake The pack
were literally flying, so let her go. in
deed, could not do otherwise; but as
we raced on to the brook. although not
exactly a coward, l confess my heart
leapt up into my mouth. 1t was scarce
ly the sort of place one would have
selected to ride a new and utterly un-
tried horse at, especially one whose per-
formances on the road had not been
such as to inspire confidence. But
fortunately, or unfortunately according
to opinion, 1t is indisputable fact that
occasions arise out hunting when the
decision is completely taken out Of
the biped's hands. He is at the mercy
of the beast. So 1t was in my case.
1saacs, the huntsman, about as bold
and good man as ever crossed a
country. charged the water first Hav-
| ing got better start than me, he was
about twenty yards ahead. but Virago
had the legs OF him, and was over
hauling him rapidly. He chose an
apparently sound spot. close to the
stump of an old willow tree, and his
! gallant black hunter made fine bound,
taking off in his stride without dwell
ing. and landing with over a foot to
spare. No horse could have jumped
| better or more honestly, but hard lines,
the bank proved to be regularly honey
combed. and giving way under his
weight sent him sprawling right OH
| to his head. For a moment it looked as
| II nothing could save him from falling
back into the dark stream, but by a
| desperate effort, and thanks to Isaacs
leaving his head alone, he recovered
himself and staggered to his feet.
| thought / should have bowled them
both over, for. my friend Virago never
gave me the chance Of showing the
| white feather Like an arrow shot
| from the bow, she raced at the brook
| There was a terrible half-second 8
| pause, during which she changed her
| feet, q CLEAN of water, accompa MED
by the vision of a horrid gulf, and We
| landed almost on the blacks quarters,
| sending him considerably further or
his way than was the good beasts in
tention. I turned my head quickly
| and saw that there was no fear OF
the bank falling in with Virago. She
had cleared it by at least yard. l
| patted her straining neck. Hurrah.
she could jump as we'll as gallop.
| would put up with her temper, and
sundry little eccentricies of conduct, If
| only she went on as she had begun, for
| one does not come across a water
| jumper every day of ones life. They
are very few and far between, and no
| where more so than in High Leicester
shire, a country which affords but lit
| tie practice.
! The brook safdly left behind, we
| now bore away to the right, and com
| menced breasting a hill. Wishing TO
| husband my animals resources, 1 tried
! to take a pull at her, but She resented
the slightest interference. and nearly
| waved my arms out OF their sockets. II
was clear that she would have her
| own way, or none at all, for the man
| ner in which she laid back her ears
| and shook her head when touched, led
| me to ina gine that on very little fur
| ther provocation she might stop alto
| gether. AS it appeared a choice of
going too fast, or coming to a complete
standstill, l chose the former course,
and gave up any attempts to ease her.
NY nerves, as a rule. are pretty fair,
but 1 don't mind admitting that she
no means a pleasant sensation being
run away with with hounds. and feel
ing yourself practically incapable Of
asserting your will over that of your
steed. In fact, I know few things more
absolutely disagreeable, not to say
alarming. Certainly the danger of
hunting becomes considerably magni-
fed.
a1y aaf,,
before us at furious pace. 1t was as
much as ever we could do to keep theE
in sight, and ride as we might, we were
unable to diminish the distance that
Law between us and the vanishing
sterns. The shires are famed for these
tremendous bursts, which seldom las;
more than from twenty to five and
twenty minutes. and no doubt they
are very enjoyable, to men who can
afford to pay three or four hundred
guineas for a hunter and race-horse
combined; but, for my part, l prefer
good old-fa shioned hunting run, when
one Is in position to see the hounds
work and can pick and choose the
easiest places in the fences. To-day, all
selection was out of the question. With
a gate within twenty yards, 1t was
necessary to jump, and not only to
Jump, but to jump without pausing.
Those who had gone round by the forc
were completely out of it. We never
saw them again. and although there
were nc; more than some half dozen
of us with the hounds. In such circum-
stances people achieve prodigies of val
or which, in their calmer moments
they look back upon with mingled
sentiments of admiration and horror.