My Hounds are bred out of the Spartan Kind, So flu’d, so sanded; and their Heads are hung With Ears that sweep away the Morning Dew.  Crook-knee’d and dew-lap’d like Thessalian Bulls; Slow in Pursuit, but match’d in Mouths like Bells, Each under each:  A Cry more tuneable Was never hallowed to, nor chear’d with Horn.

Sir Roger is so keen at this Sport, that he has been out almost every Day since I came down; and upon the Chaplain’s offering to lend me his easy Pad, I was prevailed on Yesterday Morning to make one of the Company.  I was extremely pleased, as we rid along, to observe the general Benevolence of all the Neighbourhood towards my Friend.  The Farmers Sons thought themselves happy if they could open a Gate for the good old Knight as he passed by; which he generally requited with a Nod or a Smile, and a kind Enquiry after their Fathers and Uncles.

After we had rid about a Mile from Home, we came upon a large Heath, and the Sports-men began to beat.  They had done so for some time, when, as I was at a little Distance from the rest of the Company, I saw a Hare pop out from a small Furze-brake almost under my Horse’s Feet.  I marked the Way she took, which I endeavoured to make the Company sensible of by extending my Arm; but to no purpose, ’till Sir ROGER, who knows that none of my extraordinary Motions are insignificant, rode up to me, and asked me if Puss was gone that Way? Upon my answering Yes, he immediately called in the Dogs, and put them upon the Scent.  As they were going off, I heard one of the Country-Fellows muttering to his Companion, That ’twas a Wonder they had not lost all their Sport, for want of the silent Gentleman’s crying STOLE AWAY.

This, with my Aversion to leaping Hedges, made me withdraw to a rising Ground, from whence I could have the Picture of the whole Chace, without the Fatigue of keeping in with the Hounds.  The Hare immediately threw them above a Mile behind her; but I was pleased to find, that instead of running straight forwards, or in Hunter’s Language, Flying the Country, as I was afraid she might have done, she wheel’d about, and described a sort of Circle round the Hill where I had taken my Station, in such manner as gave me a very distinct View of the Sport.  I could see her first pass by, and the Dogs some time afterwards unravelling the whole Track she had made, and following her thro’ all her Doubles.  I was at the same time delighted in observing that Deference which the rest of the Pack paid to each particular Hound, according to the Character he had acquired amongst them:  If they were at Fault, and an old Hound of Reputation opened but once, he was immediately followed by the whole Cry; while a raw Dog or one who was a noted Liar, might have yelped his Heart out, without being taken Notice of.