She kicked and
squealed and backed and went round the park with him at a full
gallop. In the park there was a rail with a ha-ha ditch, and the
Major rode her at it in a gallop. She went through the timber, fell
in the ditch, and then was brought up again without giving the man
a fall. He at once put her back at the same fence, and she took it,
almost in her stride, without touching it. "Have her like a spaniel
before the day's over," said the Major, who thoroughly enjoyed
these little encounters.
Among the laurels at the bottom of the park a fox was found, and
then there was a great deal of riding about the grounds. All this
was much enjoyed by the ladies who were on foot,--and by the
Senator who wandered about the place alone. A gentleman's park is
not always the happiest place for finding a fox. The animal has
usually many resources there and does not like to leave it. And
when he does go away it is not always easy to get after him. But
ladies in a carriage or on foot on such occasions have their turn
of the sport. On this occasion it was nearly one before the fox
allowed himself to be killed, and then he had hardly been outside
the park palings. There was a good deal of sherry drank before the
party got away and hunting men such as Major Caneback began to
think that the day was to be thrown away.
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