A trot of five miles is
disagreeable, and two o'clock in November is late for finding a
first fox; and then poisoning is a vice that may grow into a habit!
There was a general feeling that Goarly ought to be extinguished,
but an idea that it might be difficult to extinguish him. The
whips, nevertheless, cantered on to the corner of the covert, and
Tony put in his hounds with a cheery voice. The Senator remarked
that the gorse was a very little place,--for as they were on the
side of an opposite hill they could see it all. Lord Rufford, who
was standing by the carriage, explained to him that it was a
favourite resort of foxes, and difficult to draw as being very
close. "Perhaps they've poisoned him too," said the Senator. It was
evident from his voice that had such been the case, he would not
have been among the mourners. "The blackguards are not yet thick
enough in our country for that," said Lord Rufford, meaning to be
sarcastic.
Then a whimper was heard from a hound,--at first very low, and then
growing into a fuller sound. "There he is," said young Hampton.
"For heaven's sake get those fellows away from that side, Glomax."
This was uttered with so much vehemence that the Senator looked up
in surprise. Then the Captain galloped round the side of the
covert, and, making use of some strong language, stopped the ardour
of certain gentlemen who were in a hurry to get away on what they
considered good terms.
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