_M.F.H._ (_to Youth from neighbouring Hunt, who has been making himself
very objectionable_). "Now, look here, young man. I go cub-hunting for
the purpose of educating _my own_ puppies. As you belong to another
pack, I'll thank you to take yourself home!"
* * * * *
[Illustration: HUNTING MEMORANDUM
Appearance of things in general to a gentleman who has just turned a
complete somersault!
_* &c., &c., represent sparks of divers beautiful colours._]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "LE SPORTMAN"
"Hi!! Hi!! Stop ze chasse! I tomble--I faloff! _Stop ze fox!_"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "CUBBING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS"
_Half-awakened un-enthusiastic Sportsman_ (_who wished to go out
cub-hunting, but has entirely changed his mind, drowsily addressing
rather astonished burglar_). "Awright, old boy. Can't come with you this
morning. Too sleepy."
[_Turns round and resumes deep sleep where he left off._
]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A BROKEN PLEDGE
_Sportsman on bank_ (_to Friend in brook_). "Hallo, Thompson, is that you?
Why, I thought you had joined the 'No Drinks in between Meals' Party!"]
* * * * *
"IN THE DIM AND DISTANT FUTURE"
_First Sportsman_ (_cantering along easily_). "I say, we shall see you at
dinner on the nineteenth, shan't we?"
_Second Ditto_ (_whose horse is very fresh, and bolting with him_). "If
the beast goes on like this--hanged if you'll ever see me again."
* * * * *
[Illustration: THERE'S LIFE IN THE OLD DOG YET
_Ex-M.F.H._ (_eighty-nine and paralytic_). "Fora-a-d! Fora-a-d!
Fora-a-a-d!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: _Huntsman_ (_making a cast for the line of the fox, near a
railway_). "Hold hard, please! Don't ride over the line!"
_Would-be Thrusters._ "Oh, no, we won't. There's a bridge farther on!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "RANK BLASPHEMY"
_Squire Oldboy, M.H._ (_enjoying a long and very slow hunt_). "There she
goes! Afraid it's a new hare though."
_Bored Sportsman._ "How lucky! The other must be getting doosid old."]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A CHECK
_Huntsman._ "Seen the fox, my boy?"
_Boy._ "No, I ain't!"
_Huntsman._ "Then, what are you hollarin' for?"
_Boy_ (_who has been scaring rooks_). "'Cos I'm paid for it!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: EASIER SAID THAN DONE
_Sixteen-stone Sportsman (who has been nearly put down from a "rotten"
landing, to little Bricks, 9st. 2lb.)_: "Do you mind putting me back in
the saddle, sir?"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE TROUBLES OF AN M.F.H.
_M.F.H._ (_to stranger, who is violently gesticulating to hounds_). "When
you have done _feeding your chickens_, sir, perhaps you will allow me to
hunt my hounds!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: Nobody was near hounds in the big wood when they pulled
down the cub except Mr. Tinkler and his inamorata. He rashly volunteers
to secure the brush for her!]
* * * * *
[Illustration: "Morning, Tom. What a beastly day!"
"It ain't a day, sir. I call it an interval between two bloomin'
nights!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A BAD LOOK-OUT
_Sportsman_ (_to Friend whom he has mounted_). "For goodness' sake, old
chap, don't let her put you down! She's certain to savage you!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: ECHOES OF THE CHASE
_Huntsman_ (_who has been having a very bad ride_). "Either master wants
some new 'orses or a new 'untsman!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: HINTS ON HUNTING
Always see that your bridle reins are sound. There are times when they
have a considerable strain on 'em!]
* * * * *
[Illustration: SO FAR, NO FARTHER
Extraordinary position assumed by Mr. Snoodle on the sudden and
unexpected refusal of his horse.]
* * * * *
[Illustration: HARD LUCK
_Small Child_ (_to Mr. Sparkin, who had come out at an unusually early
hour in order to meet his inamorata at the guide-post, and pilot her out
cub-hunting_). "I was to tell you she has such a bad cold she couldn't
come. But I'm going with you instead, if you promise to take care of me.
I'm her cousin, you know!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A PSEUDO-THRUSTER
_Farmer_ (_to Sportsman, returning from the chase_). "Beg pardon, sir, but
ain't you the gent that broke down that there gate of mine this
morning?"
_Mr. Noodel_ (_who never by any chance jumps anything--frightfully
pleased_). "Er--did I? Well, how much is the damage?"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE WATER TEST
_Whip_ (_bringing on tail hounds, in the rear of the field_). "Hulloah!
Who've you got there?"
_Runner_ (_who has just assisted sportsman out of a muddy ditch_). "Dunno.
Can't tell till we've washed 'im down a bit!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: MOST UNFORTUNATE
Horrible catastrophe which happened to Captain Fussey (our ladies' man)
on his arrival at the opening meet. New coat, new boots, new horse, new
everything! Hard luck!]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A SEVERE TEST
_Miss Sally_ (_who has just taken off her mackintosh--to ardent admirer_).
"Look! they're away! Do just stuff this thing into your pocket. I'm sure
I shan't want it again!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: A STUDY IN EXPRESSION
_Irate M.F.H._ (_who has had half an hour in the big gorse trying to get a
faint-hearted fox away, galloping to "holloa" on the far side of
covert_). _"Confound you and your pony, sir! Get out of my way!"_
[_Binks, who has been trying to keep out of people's way all day,
thinks he can quite understand the feelings of the hunted fox._
]
* * * * *