octor, full of animation. The instant
the order was issued, the hounds made a magnificent burst out of the
wood, in full cry, led on by the huntsman, waving his flag, and followed
by Tom Bouldon, as whipper-in; an office he performed most effectually.
The Doctor stalked after them, enjoying the sport as much as anybody;
and, I have no doubt, longing to enter more fully into it, and to run
along with them.

Away went the pack, cheering each other on, across a field in which they
had found the scent. At the bottom of it ran a rapid brook, as they all
well knew. There were stepping-stones across it. It required a firm
foot and a steady eye not to fall in. It was a clever dodge of the hare
to gain time, for only one could cross at a time. There was scent on
each stone, to show he had crossed. Two or three slipped in, but were
speedily picked out again by their companions; and forming rapidly,
continued the chase on the other side, up a long green lane, with high
hedges on either side. They had to keep their eyes about them to
ascertain whether he had gone through the hedge, or kept up the lane.
On, on they went! at last a pathway, over a stile, appeared on the
right, leading through a thick copse. They dashed into it, but soon
found that the pathway had not been kept; and through briar and
underwood they had to force a passage; now losing the scent, now
catching it again; a wide, dry, sunny field lay before them; along it,
and two or three others of a similar character they had to go; and then
across another brook, over which, one after the other, they boldly
leapt. Once more they were in a green lane, with deep cart ruts in it.
Before them was a mud cottage, with thatched roof, and a small, fully
cultivated garden, enclosed by rough palings, in front of it.

An old couple looked out, surprised at the noise. "Oh, they be the
young gentlemen from Grafton Hall. What can they be after?" they
observed to one another.

"I say, good dame, have you seen a couple of hares running along this
way?" exclaimed Tom Bouldon, striking his staff into the ground, for the
hounds had lost the scent.

"No; but we seed two young gentlemen a scampering along here, and up
that there lane. Bees they demented? We didn't like to stop them,
though somehow we thought as how we ought."

"Lucky you didn't; they'd have kicked up a great row, let me tell you,"
answered Tommy, laughing heartily. He had not time to say more. The
shout