"Capping all non-subscribers is pretty generally resorted to, this
season, not only in the shires, but also with provincial
packs."--_Daily Press._]
_Monday._--Splendid gallop after non-subscriber. Spotted the quarry on
good-looking chestnut, whilst we were drawing big covert. Edged my horse
over in his direction, but non-subscriber very wary--think he must have
known my face as "collector of tolls." Retired again to far side of
spinney and disguised myself in pair of false whiskers, which I always
keep for these occasions. Craftily sidled up, and finally got within
speaking distance, under cover of the whiskers, which effectually masked
my battery. "Beg pardon, sir," I began, lifting my hat, "but I don't
think I have the pleasure of knowing your name as a subscri----" But he
was off like a shot. Went away over a nice line of country, all grass,
and a good sound take-off to most of the fences. Non-subscriber had got
away with about a three lengths lead of me, and that interval was fairly
maintained for the first mile and a half of the race. Then, felt most
annoyed to see that my quarry somewhat gained on me as we left the
pasture land and went across a holding piece of plough. Over a stiff
post and rails, and on again, across some light fallow, towards a big
dry ditch. The hunted one put his horse resolutely at it--must say he
rode very straight, but what _won't_ men do to avoid "parting?"--horse
jumped short and disappeared from view together with his rider. Next
moment I had also come a cropper at ditch, and rolled down on top of my
prey. "Excuse me," I said, taking out my pocket-book and struggling to
my knees in six inches of mud, "but when you rather abruptly started
away from covertside, I was just about to remark that I did not think
you were a subscriber, and that I should have much pleasure in taking
the customary 'cap'--thank you." And he paid up quite meekly. We agreed,
as we rode back together, in the direction in which we imagined hounds
to be, that even if they had got away with a good fox, the field would
not be likely to have had so smart a gallop as he and I had already
enjoyed. Lost my day's hunting, of course.
_Thursday._--Got away after another non-subscriber, led him over four
fields, after which he ran me out of sight. Lost my day's hunting again,
but was highly commended by M.F.H. for my zeal.
_Saturday._--M.F.H. pointed out five non-subscribers, and I at once
started off to "cap" them. Lost another day with hounds--shall send in
my resignation.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Gent_ (_who has just executed a double somersault and is
somewhat dazed_). "Now where the dickens has that horse gone to?"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: ON EXMOOR
_Gent_ (_very excited after his first gallop with staghounds_). "Hi,
mister, don't let the dogs maul 'im, and I'll take the 'aunch at a bob a
pound!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: COOKED ACCOUNTS
_Extract from old Fitzbadly's letter to a friend, describing a run in
the Midlands:_--"I was well forward at the brook, but lost my hat, and
had to dismount."]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "Hup--yer beast!"]
[Illustration: "Hup!!--yer brute!"]
[Illustration: "Hup!!!--yer infernal, confounded ---- Hover!!!"]
[Illustration: And "Hover" it was!]
* * * * *
[Illustration: SOMETHING LIKE A NOSE.
_Whip_ (_after galloping half a mile to a holloa_). "Where did you see
him?"
_Yokel._ "Can't zay as 'ow I 'zactly _zeed_ 'un, but I think I _smelled_
'un!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Second Horseman No. 1._ "Ulloah, Danny, what are you
lookin' for?"
_Second Horseman No. 2._ "Perkisites. Guv'nor's just been over 'ere. 'E
jumps so much 'igher than 'is 'orse, there's always some small change or
summat to be picked up!"]
* * * * *