called the "quest." Puss was in fact hunted fairly to her "form," or "seat," was then "see-hoed," and, all enjoyed, was killed Such hunting is seldom meet is at 11 o'clock.

after a ringing run, which in the open or on the road. seen nowadays, when the The hare is roused from her "seat," and if the fast hounds, hurried on by excited horsemen, do not rush into her straight away, the run seldom lasts half an hour.

The harrier can boast of a pack of its kind whose "master" is a lady, and Mrs. Pryse-Rice shows the best of sport two days a week round about Llandovery, in South Wales. One day in December, 1896, there was an excellent meet at Pentretygwyn schoolhouse, and a hare was soon found which simply "flew," for a matter of forty-five minutes leaving horses and men far in the rear, and finally was lost to her pursuers amongst the rocks near Craigyrwyddon coverts. From the heather on Bwlchgwyn another hare was soon afoot, and she first made her point for the open mountain, but, turning back ere she got to the fence, crossed Berthddu, Maesforch, Gorllwyn, &c., to Bronydd, and bent to the right over many farms, by Ffosywhied to Waunlwyd, where she was viewed dead beat; time one hour and twenty-five minutes. Unluckily, a fresh hare jumped up, and, it being impossible to

stop them, hounds went away over Blaenglyn, Troedyrhiw, Maesbwlch, Tirygroes, and topped the open mountain for Trecastle. Turning back on the far side, they were stopped at dark on Dolfawr. Hard lines no blood after three such runs. But the gallant little pack, with their sterns up, did not seem to think so as the "master" gathered them together and proceeded on her weary trot of twelve miles back to kennel. Mrs. Rice's harriers are 15 inches, and have extraordinary noses, as well as being able to go a great pace. The above "day in December" is just mentioned here to show that harriers are not by any means deficient in pace, and it is extremely likely that in a hilly country, for actual hunting, they are much better than the ordinary foxhound of the shires. A couple of hours is by no means an unusual run in the mountainous districts of Wales, where, perhaps, at the present time "harriers and hare" may be seen at their best.

CHAPTER V.

THE BEAGLE.

THIS is perhaps the only variety of hound that has profited by the institution of dog shows. He has done so because he is small and affectionate, pretty and docile, and in many respects admirably suited to be a pet dog." Unfortunately, he is so true to his instincts of hunting the rabbit, and even the hare, as to prove rather a nuisance than otherwise in country places, where his bell-like, melodious voice will be continually heard in the coverts where the little hound is bustling the game about, much to the annoyance of the head keeper and his under strappers.

The beagle, by some writers said to be the "brach" of past generations, can boast of ancient lineage. Perhaps he was one of our original British dogs, but, as an old writer very truly observes, "his origin is lost in the mists of obscurity." Whether he actually was the "brach" or "brache" is quite matter of question, for this name was applied to any

a