Gentlemen think it right to affect a contempt for stag-hunting, and
many a battle have I had with Cousin John when he has provoked me by
"pooh-poohing" that exhilarating amusement. I generally get the best
of the argument. I put a few pertinent questions to him which he
cannot answer satisfactorily. I ask him, "What is your principal
object in going out hunting? Is it to learn the habits of the wild
animal, or to watch the instinct of the hound that pursues him? Do you
enjoy seeing a fox _walked_ to death, as you call it, on a cold
scenting day--or do you care for the finest hunting run that ever was
seen in a woodland country? Have I not heard you say a hundred times,
when questioned as to your morning sport, 'Oh, wretched! hounds never
went any pace!--couldn't shake off the crowd--yes, we killed our fox;
but the whole thing was dead slow?' or else exclaim, with a face of
delight, 'The fastest thing I have seen for years! Eighteen minutes
_up wind_, extra pace! not a soul but myself in the same field with
them when they threw their heads up. Fox was _back_, of course, and we
never recovered him, but it was by far the best gallop of the season?'
It is evident to me that what you _like_ is riding a good hunter fast
over a stiff country--going a turn better than your neighbours, and
giving your own skill that credit which is due to the superiority of
your horse. You only consider the hounds as a fleeting object at which
to ride; the fox as a necessary evil, without which all this 'rasping'
and 'bruising' and 'cutting down,' as you call it in your ridiculous
jargon, cannot be attained. Why, then, do you waste so much energy,
and money, and civility, and 'soft-sawder,' to preserve the vulpine
race? Why don't you all hunt with stag-hounds, or, better still,
devote yourselves to a drag, when you may gallop and jump and bustle
about, and upset your horses, and break your own necks to your heart's
content?" To all of which John answers, as men invariably do when they
are worsted, that "women can't enter into these things, and I am
talking great nonsense about what I don't understand."
However, let him despise "the calf," as he termed it, as much as he
liked, I was not going to be stewed up in London, with the wind at
south-west, the thermometer 45°, and the mud over one's ankles, whilst
Brilliant and White Stockings were eating their heads off in the
stable, so I took advantage of John's good nature to exact a promise
that he would take me down and show me her Majesty's stag-hounds in
the field; and on the express stipulation that Mrs. Lumley should join
our party, and that we should confine ourselves religiously to the
lanes, I was promised the enjoyment of a day's hunting. John did
everything I asked him now; he was even kinder than he used to be; but
it was a different sort of kindness, and it cut me to the heart.
Still, the idea was enchanting: the Great Western made a delightful
cover-hack. We sent our horses on by the early train. The place of
meeting was scarcely three miles from the station, so we had time to
settle ourselves comfortably in the saddle, and to avoid the fuss and
parade of two ladies in their habits stepping out of a first-class
carriage into the midst of a metropolitan field. I ran my eye
jealously over the brown mare as Mrs. Lumley jogged quietly along by
my side, and I confess I had my misgivings whilst contemplating the
easy pliant seat and firm graceful figure of her mistress, the strong
lengthy frame and beautiful proportions of the mare herself; but then
Brilliant felt so light and elastic under me, the day was so soft and
fresh, the country air so fragrant, and the dewdrops sparkling so
brilliantly on the leafless hedges, that my courage rose with my
spirits, and I felt as if I could ride anywhere or do anything in
sheer gladness of heart.
"Mr. Jones is very strict," said my companion, taking the brown mare
lightly on the curb, and putting her into a canter along a level piece
of sward by the roadside; "he declares he only takes charge of us
under the solemn promise that there is to be no _jumping_. For my
part, I never do what I am told, Kate; do you?"
"I always do as I like with John," said I; "but then I always _like_
to do what he wishes."
My cousin's sorrowful smile almost brought the tears into my eyes.
"I dare say he's quite right," rejoined Mrs. Lumley. "For my part,
I've no nerves left now. If you'll promise not to jump, I'll promise
too. What say you, Kate--is it a bargain?"
"Agreed," I replied; and just then a turn in the lane brought us into
full view of the meet of her Majesty's stag-hounds.
What a motley assemblage it was! At first I could not catch a glimpse
of the hounds themselves, or even the servants, for the crowd, mostly
of foot-people, that surrounded them. Where did these queer-looking
pedestrians come from? They were not agricultural labourers; they were
not townspeople, nor operatives, nor mechanics; they were the sort of
people that one never sees except on such an occasion as this. I
believe if I was in the habit of attending low pigeon matches, dog
fights, or steeplechases, in the "Harrow County," I should recognize
most of them enjoying the spectacle of such diversions. One
peculiarity I remarked amongst them, with scarcely an exception.
Although in the last stage of shabbiness, their clothes had all been
once of fashionable texture and good material; but they entirely
neglected the "unities" in their personal apparel. A broadcloth coat,
much the worse for wear, was invariably surmounted by a greasy cap;
whilst he who rejoiced in a beaver, usually battered in at the crown
and encircled by a tag of threadbare crape, was safe to have discarded
his upper garment, and to appear in his waistcoat and shirt-sleeves. A
wiry sweep, in the full uniform of his profession, was by far the most
respectable-looking personage of the lot. They clustered round the
pack, and seemed to make remarks, more or less sarcastic, amongst
themselves. As they opened out a little, I observed a very
aristocratic-looking old man, clad in most gorgeous apparel of scarlet
and gold, and seated on a remarkably handsome, powerful horse, long
and low, with great strength in small compass, and to all appearance
quite thoroughbred.
"That's the huntsman," said Mrs. Lumley, who kindly undertook to be my
cicerone, for she often enjoyed "a day with the Queen's," and was
quite at home here; "he'll be so glad to see me. We're great friends.
If you like, Kate, I'll introduce you."
I declined the honour as rather too public. "But," said I, "do tell me
who is in that green carriage with its back to us. Is it Prince
Albert?" Mrs. Lumley laughed.
"Not exactly, my dear," she replied; "that's the calf! Come a little
this way; and when they open the door we shall see him bounce out." So
we edged our horses off to a spot at which the foot-people were
already beginning to congregate, and sat there quietly anticipating
the "enlargement of the deer."
"What are we waiting for now?" I asked at length, when my patience was
nearly worn out. "Why don't we begin?"
"The Master of the Buck hounds, of course," replied my cicerone. "He's
not come yet. You know, Kate, it's a political appointment, and they
generally give it to somebody who hates hunting, and particularly
stag-hunting, more than anything; so, of course, he wisely comes as
late and goes home as early as he can. But this man is a good
sportsman and a thorough gentleman, and very fond of it too, so we
shall not have to wait much longer."
In fact, the words were hardly out of her mouth before a
carriage-and-four drove up containing three very gentleman-like,
good-looking men, "got up" to the utmost extent of hunting splendour,
and looking the very personification of that dandyism which
Melton engrafted upon London would be likely to produce. When they
were mounted, I am obliged to confess that those magnificent animals
made Brilliant himself look small. By this time there was great
excitement amongst the foot-people; and an official in gold lace, a
sort of mounted beadle, riding up with a heavy-thonged whip, cleared a
lane at the back of the cart which I had so erroneously imagined to
contain the Prince Consort. The doors flew open, and I was all eyes to
witness the magnificent sight of "the monarch of the waste" leaping
forth into the sunshine, exulting in his freedom. Shall I confess that
I was somewhat disappointed?
A neutral-coloured beast, something like a donkey, bundled out in a
clumsy, unwilling sort of manner, and on his egress commenced cropping
the grass with the utmost _sang froid_ and placidity. My friend the
sweep threw his cap at him. He raised his head, shorn of its branching
honours, and, after staring about him, trotted quietly off amongst the
spectators, closely followed by two well-mounted officials, termed, I
believe, "flappers" by disrespectful sportsmen, but whose duty, it
appears, is to keep the chase in view till it either beats them off
for pace, or leaves them "planted" at some large awkward impediment,
the latter obstacle generally presenting itself in about three fields.
On this occasion I saw the deer trot quite composedly up to a high
thorn fence of at least six feet, and clear it without an effort;
whereon its pursuers, looking blandly around for gate or gap, and
finding none, prudently returned to their fellow-officials in scarlet
and gold lace--I conclude, to report upon their own inefficiency. In
the meantime nobody seemed to be in a hurry; there was, indeed, some
slight stir among the equestrians; but there was no throwing away of
cigars, no drawing of girths and taking up of curb-chains--none of the
bustle and confusion created by the departure of a wild fox over a
grass country. On the contrary, every one here seemed to know exactly
how much time he had to spare. We ladies were naturally the most
impatient of the throng. Presently the huntsman looked at his watch,
and said something to the noble master, who looked at his, and
replied, "I think we may begin."
There was a slight bustle among the "knowing ones;" two or three
officers of the Life Guards stole forward a few paces; one of the
officials cracked his whip; and ere I knew exactly what had happened,
the hounds were streaming away over an adjoining field, "heads up and
sterns down," running perfectly mute, but at a pace which would have
astonished my old friends of the Heavytop country to no small extent.
Several desperate speculators were making frightful efforts for a
start. Two of the Life Guardsmen were settled with the hounds, and the
third _would_ have been, had he not been "turned over" by an
uncompromising flight of rails. Four London dealers and a young
Berkshire farmer were flourishing about, determined to show their
horses whilst they were fresh; the noble Master and his aristocratic
friends were pounding down a lane running parallel to the line of
chase. Mrs. Lumley was getting excited, and the Gitana reared straight
on end. Brilliant was fighting most disagreeably with his bridle, and
John nervously endeavouring to quiet our horses, and prevail on
ourselves to submit to his guidance. We _did_ follow him into the
lane; but here what a scene of confusion it was! Mild equestrians,
much at the mercy of their infuriated steeds; hot foot-people,
springing out of the way of the charging squadrons, and revenging
themselves for threatened annihilation by sarcastic jeers, not
altogether undeserved.
"Give me a lead, sir!" implored a good-looking light-weight--who was
evidently not in his usual place, and most anxious to get out of the
lane--to a fat, jolly old sportsman in a green coat and brass buttons
on a stiff bay horse.
"Certainly, sir," said the good-natured man; and turned his horse
short at the fence, closely followed by the gentleman he was so ready
to oblige. The bank was rotten and the bay horse unwilling. As might
have been expected, the green coat kissed mother earth, whilst his own
horse and his pursuer and his pursuer's horse rolled about on the top
of him in a most complicated game of all-fours. As they picked each
other up, I heard the fat man in green, much to my astonishment,
apologizing for the accident with the greatest _empressement_.
"A thousand pardons, my dear sir! How could I be so clumsy? It might
have been a most serious accident!" All of which excuses the
aggressor, as was to be expected, received with boundless affability
and good-humour. In the meantime we had a beautiful view of the run.
The hounds were still streaming away, two fields in front of every
one; the huntsman and the two officers going gallantly abreast in
their wake. One of them reminded me a little of Frank Lovell. The
noble Master, too, had cut in, and was striding along over every
obstacle; the London dealers had dropped somewhat in the rear, and the
farmer's horse was already completely sobered by the pace. The hounds
turned towards us. John entreated us to stop. They crossed the lane
under our horses' heads, and taking up the scent in the adjoining
pasture, went off again at score--not a soul _really_ with them.
"Flesh and blood can't stand this!" exclaimed Mrs. Lumley as, turning
the Gitana short round at a high stile with a foot-board, she landed
lightly in the field. "Don't attempt it, Kate!" she screamed out to
me, half turning in her saddle. I heard John's voice too, raised in
expostulation, but it was too late. I was already in the air. I
thought Brilliant never would come to the ground; and when he did
touch it, he was so excited with his previous restraint and his
present position, that he broke clean away with me. I was a little
frightened, but I never lost my nerve. I flew past Mrs. Lumley like an
arrow; and though she put the Gitana to her speed, and made my horse
more violent still as she thundered close upon his quarters, I was too
proud to ask her to give me a pull, and a wicked, jealous feeling rose
in my heart that was an excellent substitute for true courage at the
time. My horse was almost frantic; but fortunately he knew my voice,
and by speaking to him I was able to steady him before we reached the
fence. He bounded over it like a deer, and went quite quietly, now
that he had nothing before him but the hounds. I had never known till
now what it was to ride for myself. Hitherto I had always followed a
leader, but henceforth I resolved to enjoy the true pleasure of
finding my own way. I looked back. I was positively _first_, but Mrs.
Lumley was not fifty yards behind me, and coming up rapidly.
"Well done, Kate!" said she as we flew our third fence side by side.
Still the hounds fleeted on, and I never took my eye off them, but
urged my horse in their wake, taking every turn they did, and swerving
from nothing. Fortunately, Brilliant was thoroughbred and the fences
light, or, even with my weight, such a style of riding must soon have
produced fatal results. I shall never go again as well as I did that
day; but do what I would I could not shake off Mrs. Lumley. If I lost
sight of her for an instant, she was sure to gain a turn upon me, and
on one or two occasions she was actually in my front. I felt I could
have ridden into a chalk pit, and _dared_ her to follow me with the
greatest satisfaction. At last the hounds checked; we stood alone with
them; I felt almost delirious with the excitement.
"What an example we have made of _the gentlemen_, Kate," said Mrs.
Lumley, turning the Gitana's head to the wind. "I had no idea _you_
could ride like this."
I did not answer, but I thought "Wait a little, and I'll show you." I
felt I _hated_ her, though she _was_ my friend. Again the hounds
stooped to the scent; they crossed a deep narrow lane, up which I saw
the crowd advancing. I put my horse into his pace.
"You can't go there, Kate," vociferated Mrs. Lumley. "This way; here's
a gate in this corner."
I clenched my teeth, and rode straight for the fence. It looked dark
and forbidding. I did not see _how_ it was to be done, but I trusted
to Brilliant, and Brilliant nearly did it--but _not quite_. There was
a loud crash; one of my pommels gave me an awkward dig in the side. I
saw the white star on my horse's forehead shoot below me; and the
muddy, gravelly lane seemed to rise in my face and rasp my hands and
smear my habit, and get conglomerated with my hair. The horsemen were
all round me when I got up. I did not care for my accident; I did not
care for being bruised--in fact, I did not know whether I was hurt or
not--but my prevailing feeling was one of burning shame and horror as
I thought of my dress. To have had a fall amongst all those men! I
could have sunk into the earth and thanked it for covering me. But
there was no lack of sympathy and assistance. The huntsman pulled up;
the noble Master offered me his carriage to go back to London;
everybody stopped to tender advice and condolences.
"The lady's had a fall."--"Give the lady some sherry."--"Catch the
lady's horse."--"Can we render the lady any assistance?" John, of
course, was much distressed and annoyed, but glad to find I was not
seriously hurt. Mrs. Lumley only stood aloof and sneered. "I told you
not to ride there, Kate," said she; "and what a fall you've
had--amongst all these people, too!" She very nearly made me an enemy
for life.
I was too much hurt to go on. The stag was taken, as usual, in a large
pond about a mile from where I met with my accident; but our party had
had enough of hunting for one day. I am sure I had; and I think the
Gitana was nearly beat, though her mistress would not confess it. We
soon got back to the station, where I washed my face and put myself to
rights. After all, I was very little the worse, and everybody said I
had "gone like a bird." As we returned to London by the fast train,
and I sat in that comfortable, well-cushioned carriage, enjoying the
delightful languor of rest after fatigue, I half resolved to devote my
whole life to a sport which was capable of affording such thrilling
excitement as that which I had so recently enjoyed. I had never been
so happy, I thought, in my existence as whilst I was leading the field
on my dear Brilliant. It was a pure, wholesome, legitimate excitement;
there were no harassing doubts and fears, no wounded feelings and
bitter thoughts, no hours and days of suspense and misery to atone for
a few short moments of delight. If I was disappointed in other things,
could I not devote myself wholly to hunting, and so lead a happy and
harmless life? If I had been a man, I should have answered in the
affirmative; but I am a woman, and gradually softer thoughts stole
over me. A distant vision of a happy home, with home-interests and
home-pleasures--others to love, others to care for, besides
myself--all a woman's duties, and all a woman's best delights. I shut
my eyes and tried to realize the picture. When I opened them again,
Mrs. Lumley had gone fast to sleep; but John was watching me with a
look of painful attention. He certainly had acquired a very earnest,
keen look of late, such as he never used to wear. I do not know what
prompted the question, but I could not forbear asking him, in a sort
of half-laughing way, "John, if I had broken my neck to-day, what on
earth should you have done?"
"Mourned for you _as a sister_, Kate," he replied gravely, even
severely. I did not speak another word the whole way home.