GENTLEMAN'S M/NJl: V ' '^' TAN LEY REEVE "RHUBARB" Master Robert turned out in pink November Ijth "rhubarb J") THE DIART OF A GENTLEMAN'S HUNTER BY J. STANLEY REEVE WITH ILLUSTRATIONS Br THE AUTHOR * SECOND EDITION PHILADELPHIA PRESS OF y. B, LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 1908 COPYRIGHT, 1908, BY J. STANLEY REEVE TO L. L. A THOROUGH SPORTSWOMAN, QUITE UNSURPASSED WITH A HORSE AND TO HOUNDS, AND ABOVE ALL POSSESSING A MOST CHARMING PERSONALITY THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED List of Illustrations Master Robert Turned Out in Pink November 13th Frontisfiece I Felt Quite a Real Gentleman's Hunter August 1 8th Miss Dexter September 7th *' Galloper" was Only an Also-Ran October 5th The First Time Around They Were Pretty Well Bunched October 5th Vagabond October 8th The M. F. H. October 3i8t "RHUBARB" THE DIARY OF A GENTLEMAN'S HUNTER August 17th, Saturday. Patrick came over to the Farm this morning, and brought me in from pasture. He took me away so quickly, that I didn't even get a chance to say good-by to the gray mare Fve been running with for three months. He called me over to the bars, and then led me right on out, slipped a bridle on me, and rode over bareback. There's nothing new about the stable, ex- cepting "Miss Fair," Master Robert's coach dog, has a nice litter of puppies. Their eyes have only been opened since day before yesterday. I know that because I heard Patrick tell a groom, who came over to see about getting the place of second man. I hope he'll have good hands if he gets here. August i8th, Sunday. Patrick started on me early this morning. Said he couldn't go to mass, because he must get me in some sort of shape before Master Robert came out to see me. My mane had grown up near a foot, and as the gray mare out at grass used to jolly me, and say I looked like an over- grown prehistoric pony, Patrick hogged it off in a jiffy, combed a lot of thistles out of my dock and trimmed it up a bit; then brushed and cur- ried and sissed himself till he was awfully hot, and I felt quite a real gentleman's hunter. Master Robert showed up about nine-thirty, all in white flannels, with his face very much tanned, so I guess he's been on a cruise. I whinnied when I heard his voice; I know that pleased him, for he said, "Hello old boy, haven't quite forgotten, eh.?" Then when Pat trotted me out he stood off, looked me over, felt my legs, looked at my feet, and then patted me, and said a lot of nice things about a good season to hounds, plenty of foxes, etc. Then he told Patrick to have me shod to-morrow, and be care- ful about feeding for a few days. I felt quite a real gentleman's hunter August 19th, Monday. My feet feel pretty heavy to-night, although the blacksmith did make a good job of it, while the boy brushed the flies off with some poor devil's tail. Hunters seem to get better attention than ordinary hacks, for the smithy talked about me a good deal to Patrick — sort of took pains with me. When we came back to the stable, that groom was sitting on an empty bucket, scratching the old yellow cat's head while waiting, and told Patrick that Master Robert had told him to come and start in. August 21st, Wednesday. Nothing doing since Monday. It's been raining; everything's damp and sticky. I'm getting tired of old dry hay, after having had so much grass; but the few oats I've had have been all right. James, the new groom, is a great sisser. Sisses better than he rubs, it strikes me, but I heard Patrick tell Master Robert that James was great at cleaning tack, so maybe we can keep up our reputation of being the best turned out members of the hunt. September 2nd, Labor Day. Walk, walk, walk, it's most tiresome; two hours a day, over to the kennels and back again without trotting or a bit of a gallop. I sure would like to have a good run, so I took it out on a fresh fox terrier, who ran out and tried to nip my near hind hock — he was still lying in the road when we turned off the village street. Yesterday, during my walk. Miss Wain- wright, one of Master Bob's girl friends, drove past. She recognized me right away, pulled up, and asked Patrick how long I had been in. Said I was looking pretty fit considering the dry sum- mer. Patrick said, "Yes Miss" three or four times, then she drove on, but I caught her turn- ing her head and looking at us after a minute. Master Robert was always pretty keen about Miss Wainwright; used to hack me over there every day or so for tea in the afternoon. She was never much good after hounds, and the "Spring Chicken" has often told me he was scared every time he took a jump, always felt as if she was going off, but she usually sticks to. The "Chick" says she rides with too long an iron, and is apt to make his back sore, but I do like her; she's the smartest looking girl any- wheres about; but Master Bob's mother don't fancy her at all — says she's too mannish and doesn't know a thing about housekeeping. The Chick's still at grass. Miss Dexter September 7th. Master Robert took me out this morning. We walked over towards "Duneiden," where we met the new Huntsman out with about fourteen couple of hounds at road work, and following in the rear was Miss Dexter. She always exercises her own horses, and was up on old "Panama." He said he had been doing this walking business a lot too. Master Bob was very flattering in his talk to Miss Dexter; he certainly has a great line of jolly, and Dexter seems to like him, for she went with us a mile out of her way, and asked Master Bob to come over to dinner that night, and do something else. I couldn't catch what it was, as old Panama was so chatty. Master Bob whistled most of the way home. September i6th. IVe been off grass now just a month, and am getting strong as I ever was. My grass belly has all gone, the old sinewy look is coming back again. I don't sweat nearly as easily as I did, and Patrick has me shining like a wet frog. Two of Miss Fair's girl puppies disap- peared the other day, but it doesn't seem a great mystery. One of the stable buckets could solve the riddle, but the stupid fat things cannot talk. I'm glad I haven't three white rings painted around me. September 17th. This being used as a lovers' hack may be all right when She is along, but being left at Duneiden stables, tied outside, with only an old sheet over one, and not being able to gossip with the gees inside, is no idle dream. I can't quite understand the regularity of these trips. Here it's after midnight, and we have just come in. All I get out of it is an extra handful of oats. Master Robert's always in a bully humor though. Leaned over to-night, put his face down on the side of my neck, patted the other side, and said, "Think, old boy, cubbing in two weeks." That's the best I've heard lately. September 19th. James spent all morning whitewashing the wings of the jumps out back of the stable. I could see him out the little window in the side of my box. I know what's expected of me soon. It's nice the weather is cooler. September 20th. Early this morning Master Robert rode me down to Miss Wainwright's, and in his hunt- ing-coat pocket he took one of the coach-dog puppies. His spots were just beginning to show. Miss Wainwright was evidently waiting for Master Bob, for she was out in their old formal garden when we galloped up the drive. She came right over, told Master what a perfect dear he was to give her the dalmation, patted my nose, kissed the puppy so much that Master Bob said it was a pity to waste perfectly good kisses on a dog, but she only smiled, and said she was going to call the pup *'Bob.'' Master Robert didn't stay long, just chatted a few minutes and told her some excuse and we hacked home. Then he took out the top rails of the jumps behind the stable and put me over them a few times. It was quite easy for the first of the season. Pat- rick came out to see the show, but all he said was, — "Well, I guess the old lad hasn't forgotten all he ever knew." P.S. Master Bob talked a lot to himself on the way home. Mumbled something about being keen about two girls, and wished he hadn't given the puppy to her. I don't understand. September 25th. I've had a good deal of jumping to do the last week, and have my near hind hock all skinned up; took off too short or something, anyway I didn't get over quite clean. Master Bob has a new hunting suit, so he's going to be more dressy than ever. Wore it for the first time to-day, when Miss Dexter came over to school Panama. Dexter is young, but I guess she'll learn. Says she's never hunted, but she sits to pretty well over her jumps, so she ought to get along. Panama tells me she has more sense than most women and don't make him jump the same panel back and forth all the afternoon like the Calloway girl used to. Pan's a good lepper and safe in a tight place. Master Bob was very anxious when she first took him over. September 29th, Sunday. Master Bob rode over to "Duneiden" early this afternoon, and Miss Dexter was just coming out to the stable in her habit. Bob told her she was the most beautiful creature in a habit he had ever seen; it sort of pleased her I guess, for she came and rode with us for a couple of hours. Good easy jogging along, nice road work. Dexter told Master Bob she did hate this fast road riding, that her father, the Captain, always drilled it in her to take things easy on the road. That's Master Bob's idea too. But he makes up for it when he's going to hounds. She's always asking questions about hunting, and Master Bob tells her this and that thing, also that when she gets in a bad strait to ease Panama up a bit and then let him have his own way, and for her to just hang on, as Pan will get through all right. Then he says: — "Anyway I'll be right there to help, if I'm needed." That sort of talk was kept up for a long way until we came to old man Crosswick's covert, and there on the brow of the hill they slid down, sat on a log for hours it seemed to me. Master Bob Fm afraid is in love; he told her about beautiful sunsets, and things. Then he held her hand; she tried in a half-hearted sort of manner to pull away, but that only made Master seem more anxious. Pretty soon I could hardly believe my eyes, for he had her completely in his arms and kissed her nice and quietly. Panama and I turned our heads away, promising each other not to tell any tales back at the stable. They started home right after that, but let us walk all the way. It was one of those nice evenings when the moon comes out as soon as the sun sets. They certainly had a lot to tell one another. I'm all for her myself, and I wish too that she had the puppy. It's a funny world, but quite nice. October ist. This afternoon Master Robert hacked me over to Miss Wainwright's, but I didn't see her. Had a short chat with the "Spring Chicken," and he sort of thinks his Mistress is in love v^ith Master Bob. I've my wind back again now, as we galloped near three miles home; wasn't at all blown. October 2nd. He talked to himself a lot this afternoon, and from what I could gather, he was wishing he had enough money to get married; said he was going to ask his father for some. I wonder which girl it is; and whether he will build a new stable, if he does. I hope I get a bigger box. October 3rd. Patrick, James, the new groom, and some other coachman, had a bit of a cocking main last night, in the box next to mine. I was tied up close and the "Galloper," Miss Wainwright's hack pony, was put in alongside me. He's a gossipy child, so I learned a few things. Said his Mistress had entered the Spring Chicken in the pink coat race at the hunt meeting; also that she was going to ask Master Robert to ride for her. I hope Master don't do it, because the Chicken has only been off grass about a month, and will go down towards the end for sure, and hunting is too near to run any chances like that. One of the game cocks nearly killed a puppy of "Miss Fair's," picked his head all sore. October 4th. Master Bob must be away; he's probably up in town, for he hasn't been about since Sunday. Patrick's been galloping me every day. Galloper ' ' was only an also-ran October 5th. Spent rather a nervous afternoon. Patrick hacked me over to the race meeting. We reached there just in time for the pony race, in which Galloper started, but was only an also- ran. Told me later that Miss Wainwright just started him to fill up the entries, and inciden- tally to please the M. F. H., on whom the Gal- loper says she's quite keen. The remainder of the flat races were pretty good, and the first steeple-chase went off splen- didly, then came time for the pink coat race, and the second one in the parade by the stand was Master Robert on the "Spring Chicken." "Gal- loper" said that on the way over the Chicken was terribly nervous and wanted to stop and drink at every place he had ever had water before. Spring Chicken, I must confess, was looking pretty fit, taken all in all, but I heard two of Master Robert's friends say, just at the get away, what big chances he was taking. The first time around they were pretty well bunched, but at the jump back of the buttonwood tree, there was quite a mix-up. The M. F. H. went down and laid still a while. Captain Jennings on Lamp- light turned somersaults over them, but were up and ofF in a jiffy. Master Bob and the Chicken cleared them all in their stride, and a big cheer went up. Everyone must have thought the Chick would be down, but Master Robert was riding him some. They only had once more to go round with the Chicken a good third and the leader rapping badly, when all of a sudden the Chick doubled up like a jack knife right in front of the Liverpool, and went down with a crash. Master Bob fell clear, but didn't get up, and the Chicken crashed through the boards and hedge and lay in the water. The Captain cleared Master Robert and scrambled over the Chicken, and I don't know yet who won, for I took Patrick across the field so quickly, that we beat the patrol judge, who was at the next jump, in getting to Master Robert, who was still terribly quiet and pale with a red streak down his forehead. Pat- rick was off and lifted poor Master Bobbie over to the fresh turf. A crowd soon collected and the next thing I saw was Miss Wainwright edging her way through the people; I heard her tell the Doctor something about an engagement, then the crowd sort of melted. Patrick grew very cross and picked Master up and carried him to our own wagonette, where the Madam was weeping, and Miss Wainwright disappeared. I followed along- side, and saw through the glass that Master Bob was sitting up with his mother, wiping the blood off his face. He soon was smiling and took notice of the last steeple-chase. Patrick cursed a lot on the road home about meddling women and soft horses, and later in the evening read a big ac- count of it all to James, as he did us up for the night. Patrick was very mad when he came to the part that said, — "Considerable gossip was started around the race course this afternoon, when after an accident in the fourth race, in which a gentleman jockey was injured, a smartly dressed girl, quite well known in the hunting colony, and whose hunter is named after a pop- ular comic opera, rushed over to the scene of the accident, and was greatly concerned over the prostrate form in pink, and 'tis rumored, she told the physician in charge, that the man was her fiance." Patrick was still swearing when he locked me up for the night, and the last thing I heard him say was, "Racing's no place for a nervous woman." The butler came out to the stables to hear about the races, but I guess it was to get out of answering the telephone, for he said about a thousand people had called up to ask about Master Robert. October 6th, Sunday. I was mighty glad this morning to see Master Bob in his tweeds, and not a mark on him. He rode me over to Duneiden, so that we came in the gates just at Miss Dexter was driving in from church. She and Master Robert strolled about through the gardens for half an hour, when we galloped home. Patrick told James that the Sunday papers made an awful ass of that girl. I suppose he means Miss Wainwright. October 8th. It really looks as if we were beginning to live again, as cubbing started this morning at dawn. I had sort of expected it soon, for it has been fine and frosty for some time. Then when Patrick opened the stable at 4.30, I was sure something was doing, and I didn't get a drink either, an- other sure sign. Master Robert came out at half after five and we trotted over to Duneiden, where I sup- posed of course we would have to wait about in the cold, but the Lady was waiting. Quite unusual to find a girl all ready to go when one arrives (another point in her favor). She and Master Bob were in fine spirits, and as the moon was up, it was a nice hack back through the hills to the kennels. They were quite chatty all the way. Master Bob telling her to take things easily and seeming anxious about her. Said something about not knowing what he would do if any- thing were to happen to her, etc. Only a dozen turned out, and the young hounds were noisy at first, but old Vagabond led them out as he has done for years. We found Vagabond soon in Livingston's wood, just as the sun came up over the trees, and oh! the v^ay we flew; for a cub he was a screamer. I guess his mother had told him a few things about hounds, as he made his point straight out across country for the old deserted marble quarry. It was Miss Dexter's first go after hounds, so we were gallop- ing right alongside her all the time. The Hunts- man's gee broke the top rails on the first two fences, making it easy, and she was sitting well. Hounds sank the little valley and we flew the brook in a grand pace, up the hill to a rasper of a new four-railer. Mr. Huntsman hit the top rail again, but it didn't break; they turned over in the air Hke a shot rabbit, but were up and on again in no time. Old Panama and Miss Dexter made it beautifully. I wasn't in my stride, so had to go at it again. Master Bob patted my neck and said it showed my good sense. The galloping was fine now for near ten minutes, with practically nothing to jump, when we came to a wall which we all did rather nicely, the first stone of the season, and Miss Dexter's very first. Hounds turned him over in the next field on good grass, with the Huntsman, both whips, Miss Dexter, and Master Robert right on the spot. Old Vagabond killed like he always does; the Huntsman saw that all the puppies were blooded; Master Bob tied the brush to Miss Dexter's bridle, and told her what a great piece of work she had done. They had lots to talk about going home, but Master Bob found time to say a few other nice things too. Patrick had gone out with the family by the time we came in, so Master Bob told the new groom to watch him do a horse right, and Master Bob knows how too. Fm a bit tired, but that's all. Have a new set of band- ages. October 9th. Patrick and Master Robert had a long talk to-day, just outside my box, about putting me in the little show at the kennels, in the Ladies' Hunter Class. Pat wanted Miss Wainwright to ride me, but Master Bob insisted on Miss Dexter. Then he took me out, looked me over, saying, — "Well, I guess Fll ride him over and ask Miss Deborah." It felt good to get some of the kinks out, we galloped on the grass a while, then Master Bob went in Duneiden and I talked yesterday's run over with Panama. Stayed there about an hour. October loth. We went out with Miss Dexter again to-day, walked most of the time, and in a hollow near the village a big red dog fox ran right down the road ahead of us. If we had only had a few couple of hounds, what a burst we could have had. Miss Deborah and Master Bob went in the "Gray Swan" for tea, so the stable boy walked Pan and me around the yard. Quite a pleasant afternoon, but it seems to me these Duneiden trips occur quite often. October nth. Patrick put a side-saddle on me to-day, so I was prepared for the worst. Pretty soon Miss Dexter with Master Bob drove in. She has fair hands and some go in her. I took her about rather nicely for a few minutes, when Master told her to try the jumps. It's a bit awkward at first, this side-saddle business, but I thought I ought to be careful and was. Every one seemed quite well pleased, and Dexter kissed me. I didn't blush, because I don't know how, but I felt awfully funny inside. I wonder if she ever kissed Mr. Bob. It certainly was bully; then she gave me a piece of sugar. October 14th, Saturday. The show was the easiest ever, the jumps just right and I gave Miss Deborah Dexter the ride of her Hfe. They couldn't help giving us the cup, and Master Bob gave it to her, but I wore the ribbon home. Patrick seemed tickled to death. October 20th. Another rainy spell of weather; three solid days of it. James, the new groom, rode me over to the Post-office this afternoon. I just remember, that on my way home from the Show the other day, Miss Dexter told Master Bob that maybe she was going up to town for a week, and wanted to know whether he would write, and if he would come up for dinner some evening. That probably accounts for Patrick having to meet the late train with the cart last nieht. October 21st. Late this afternoon Master Robert and I went down to the village. Master seemed in a hurry to get there, but came home the long way, around through the valley and passed the "Gray Swan." He stopped for the afternoon's post, and was all smiles when he came out, sorted the letters and put all but a sort of blue one in his side coat-pocket. The blue one he put inside somewhere, then he gave little Joe, the Hunts- man's boy, who was holding me, a shiny round thing, and we trotted down toward the hill. At the toll-house he bought a bag of tobacco, filled his pipe, and smoked until we turned off the pike, when he opened the blue letter, and let me walk way past the Swan. Seems to me he read it over two or three times, because he turned the pages all around a lot, and said something about it being hard to read, but was quite worth the trouble. After a while he folded it all up again and put it away. He patted me a lot on the neck after that, so I gave him an awful sweet gallop the rest of the way, as far as the road was soft. He started smoking again just before we reached home. Patrick told him Miss Wainwright had just ridden by. October 26th, Saturday. It's been a pretty tough day and I'm tired. We ran a drag from the kennels this after- noon, quite a field out, for I heard Master Robert count up to 46, when some one splashed mud in my eye and I lost count. Master Bob didn't seem very keen. We kept by ourselves, and rode our own line most of the time. It was rather fast at first, and awfully deep going, especially the cornfields, where most everybody was plung- ing and lunging along, while the hounds ran clean away from us, until they came to the first check near the old burned school-house. Master Bob kept me on the outside of the crowd during the check, but we were soon off again with somewhat better going through a lot of nice galloping fields. Then came a couple of soft cornfields and a big four-railer to take, to get out. We were near the fence of the field on our off side, where it was fair footing, so hadn't any trouble, but three went down on our near side and several more refused and slid up against it in the mud. Hounds were running fast again, but we were doing finely, when there was a dull thud, and as Master Bob turned to look, I heard him say to himself, — "Damn it, she's down," and louder to me, — "Whoa boy, we'll have to go over there and see what's to be done." The Spring Chicken was eating a bit of grass, and Miss Wainwright was lying flat on her back, with her groom running around asking for a flask. Her derby was mashed in, and her shoulders quite dirty, but Master Bob just gave me to a lad who came up, to hold, and picked Miss Wainwright up, sat down in a fence corner, and held her sort of half up. He told some other man what to do, sending one galloping to a stream for a hat of water, but she had opened her eyes before he came back. I guess she didn't notice Master Robert at first, but in a minute her eyes kind of rolled up and she saw who it was. All she said at first was, — "O! Bob dear, dear," — ^The men turned away, and Master Bob went pink in the face. I knew he wanted help, but what could I do ^ Then Mrs. White came up, and I know Master was relieved, for he let her hold Wainwright's head. She didn't cry, and I was glad of it, for I've often heard Master Robert say, — "If there's anything I can't stand, it's to see a woman cry." Mrs. White and Master sort of felt around, and sent the groom off for a carriage. He was soon back, for some young girls were following in a cart, they drove in the field and let Master Bob and Mrs. White take Wainwright home. I haven't seen Master since, as one of the girls in the cart rode me home. I quite liked the child. Her hands were good, but her legs were short, so she rode with her feet through the leathers on top of the irons. She had on little tan shoes, and as Master Bob would say, — "Mighty good looking ankles." She knew what she was about, for she took me home slowly, and told Patrick I'd had quite a lot of it, so he'd better do me up pretty good. Then she asked to be sent over to Miss Wainwright's. James drove her over. Patrick asked her a lot of questions, but didn't find out who she was, and neither did James, but when he came back, said Miss Wain- wright's collar-bone was broken, and she was quite a bit shaken up. October 27th, Sunday. There's never much doing the next day after a hunt, but I did hear a lot of gossip. Master Robert came out to see me this morning, felt my legs, and told Patrick to walk me about an hour. So Pat took me out; we went over to the kennels. There the first one I saw was the Chicken. I stood by him for over an hour. One or two others came in that had been on the run yester- day, and jollied him a lot. The Chicken seemed a bit touchy on the subject, said he just jumped her off, and that such things will happen. They do, too. The kennel man told Patrick he heard that Master Robert was engaged to Miss Wain- wright, and that the wedding was to be in the spring. Then when Miss Wainwright's groom came in, they asked him a lot of stuff, but he hadn't much to say, only that Miss Helen would be around again in a day or so, but couldn't ride for a good while, and maybe not hunt all season. Patrick told James the things he had heard, after we were home. James said he didn't think Master Bob was the marrying kind. October 29th. The trips over to **Duneiden" have started again. Master Robert rode me over there this morning. I heard the man in the stable say that Louise, Miss Deborah's maid, had told one of them that she (Miss Dexter) had brought a new habit from town. Master Bob was very cheerful on the way home; sang to himself and talked to me. October 30th. Patrick galloped me around this morning, then put me over the jumps a couple of times. The M. F. H. October 31st. Another one of these early starts this morn- ing; seems to me I had my breakfast in the middle of the night. Master Robert, the M. F. H., the huntsman and one whip were the only ones out. It wasn't much of a run, as we killed a cub as soon as he broke cover, but we pottered about a lot at first, then it started to rain, so we all came in. November 5th. Master Robert and Miss Dexter went oflF for a long ride this morning. It was muddy, but they didn't care, and I always did like to splash through the wet. They had the most to say to one another that I ever heard, and rode rather slow, and laughed a lot. We ate at an inn over in the country Master Bob and I spent a week in last winter. Coming home he told her all about Miss Wainwright's fall the other day, and how she called him love-names when she came to, and how the people turned away. We must have gone about thirty miles altogether. November 9th. There wasn't any hunting to-day; the ground was too soft. Master Bob and I just hacked about the country for a couple of hours. P.S. Have a new salt brick in my box. November loth. Had the regular Sunday inspection to-day. Old Polo was nervous as usual; says he always expects someone to come around with a red hot iron and brand "I.C." on him, at these Sunday examinations, just because he's getting cow hocked and a bit over in his off knee. He can't get those western ideas out of his head. November nth. Patrick spent most of the morning with me, and here I am feehng pretty sporty, but a little chilly. The clipping part I don't mind so much, but I do hate that flat iron thing that makes a smell. I haven't any hair left excepting where the saddle goes, a little point on top of my dock, and on my legs. Master Bob said I looked fine, so I guess I do. Then he rode me over to "Duneiden," but didn't stay, just whistled out in front of the place for a minute; nobody came out, so we trotted home. November 13th, Wednesday. It's been a wonderful day. Hounds met this morning at 10:30, at the toll-house corner, but the M. F. H. gave a breakfast at 9 o'clock, so we all really met then. Master Robert turned out in pink for the first time of the season, and if I do say it myself, we were quite the best set up of all the field. We trotted first of all over to "Duneiden," and the fair lady there was up on Panama when we arrived. Master Bob was all smiles and nice words to her. Told her how he liked her in a topper, and about her many allurements. At the M. F. H.'s there were great doings. Patrick had driven over, and was waiting for us, so led the Pan and me up and down it seemed for hours. I hate this waiting around before a meet. Some of the field were a bit wild when we finally started, too much ale I guess, but the "Village Scold," as Master Bob calls one girl (I never heard of her by any other name), must feel a lot better, for she certainly got a lot of talk and complaints out of her system. We didn't find right away, but when we did It was a ripper. The first burst was fast as light- ning, over a brook where the Scold's horse re- fused, and my hind legs landed in the mud on the opposite bank. We checked a minute; when we were off again. I kicked the mud out of my shoes on the Scold's white gloves. Mister Hyde- Parkes' wife has just died, so he turned out in light blue, and Master Robert laughed a lot when the "Village Scold" said, "The very idea of any man hunting in sky blue; who ever heard of such a thing. " Maybe she hasn't a few things to learn. It tickled Master Bob a lot, so he told Miss Dexter about it. Hounds made across the valley, the first point being the old quarry, then through the stone-wall country, to an in and out across a walled lane. Miss Dexter and Master Bob had been riding partners, but were separated at the lane by a cart that came galloping down and blocked every one. There was Spring Chicken in harness, a groom driving, and Miss Wain- wright with her arm in a sling. Master Bob stopped me in the middle of the lane, long enough to see that Miss Deborah was over the first wall, but Pan never went out of his stride, just popped over the second as easy as you please. Master Bob said "Hello" to Wainwright, and we were off again, galloping strong. Someone was smashed quite up, by jumping into Wainwright's cart. Lots of the field were now dropping out, so the accident was a good excuse. We crossed the County line back of the Bridge Farm, where the going was lovely, big pastures and hedges, and nobody to bother with. Just the Master, ser- vants. Captain, and Mrs. Walker and the M. F. H.'s fascinating cousin on old "Blue Rock." We viewed in a couple of fields, across the railroad, hounds were running with heads up, and about to turn him over, when Mister Fox holed just in the nick of time. The M. F. H. was the happiest man I ever saw, next to Master Robert, who was mighty glad that we had a two hours hack home, so as to be with Miss Dexter, and talk things over. Panama gave her an awfully sweet ride. November 14th. Master Bob jogged me over to Miss Wain- wright's this morning, his legs felt nervous, and he didn't take much notice of the country like he usually does. Stayed there a couple of hours. He was in fine spirits on the way home, cracked his hunting thong a lot, and made me gallop wherever it was soft. November 23rd, Saturday. The M. F. H. has been away for the past week, so Master Robert has been the Field Master; therefore I've been hunted every other day, and had quite a plenty, but a lot of good sport, with splendid going. To-day Miss Deborah drove with us instead of hunting, and was quite near when we ran to earth. As it was nine miles home, she asked Master Bob to drive with her, so I was led behind with the girths nice and loose, and the irons put near the top. The talk wasn't on hunting as much as usual, but it must have been nice, for coming through the Parson's wood, the arms of Master Bob's pink coat were all around Miss Deborah. It's a long way through the wood too. Master Bob stayed at "Duneiden," and Patrick came over after me late this afternoon. November 24th, Sunday. Patrick and James were talking this after- noon, and it seems that Patrick drove Master Robert to church this morning, but Master Bob didn't come home with the family, but walked out through the church-yard with Miss Dexter. November 25th, Monday. Ym quite sad to-night, feel sort of all broken up, but suppose I shouldn't, for Master Bob is so happy. He took me out this afternoon on a little jaunt with Miss Dexter; they were awfully jolly, and talked about things I don't understand, and Master Bob on our way back from "Duneiden," asked me how I would like having a new Mis- tress. Having never had one, I don't know, but I guess Panama and I can live in the same stable in peace and harmony. The End.