g run must be given elbow-room. Alarming to many though this statement may be, yet it may be said that its foundation

and a soul absorbed into a single supplication, had come, suddenly and beautifully, the answer to prayer, the ineffable spectacle of a la

verts-

ust that touch of the poetic temperament that can set

tian said afterwards-(Christian had sneaked away from Charles, the coachman, and had followed Larry)-with the hounds flashing ar

had waved his hat and cheered the hounds to the line of the fox, but it had been unnecessary; they ha

t after the Master, and to know that no one, not even Cottingham, could deprive them of it. It may gravely be questioned if Tommy, the stout bay cob, and Harry, the residue of a hunt horse, appreciated a position to which they were so little accustomed. Harry, whose heart, indisputably in the right place, was possibly the only sound item in his outfit, pounded gallantly on, roaring as he went, like a lion seeking after his prey; but Tommy, whose labours were, as a rule, limited to mild harness-work, was kept going mainly by stress of circumstances, in which category Larry's spurs took a prominent part. The bog-track at length became merged in a rushy field, and then indeed did the pent waters of the hunt break forth. Major Dick's tall chestnut had gradually increased his lead, and by the time the track was clear of riders, he was two fields ahead, with Cottingham not far behind, and a few indignant young men riding like maniacs to overtake them. To have been

, in gratitude too great for words, had attempted to kiss him. Charles had repelled the embrace, saying tactfully: "No pleasures in Lent, Miss!" and Christian had accepted the excuse. Then Miss Christian ha

as still uncompleted. The fat, piebald pony that she was riding would have a sore back before she got home. Christian, perched wren-like on her ancient steed (but a wren placed with mathematical accuracy of directness with relation to the steed's ears), noted with disfavour the crooked seat, the heavy hand on the curb. Larry, hot and pink, with hat hanging by its guard, his fair hair

eman possessed of the artistic temperament. And then the abominable Mangan girl came into play, and joined in the circling performance at the big bank. Always, when Larry felt that this time the cob was going to "

od for a check, and tightened their girths and took courage. The latter would undoubtedly be needed if the run continued; Drumkeen Woo

Mangan, taking courage in a liquid form. "It was a sweet gallop while it last

Hallinan's Hotel, a prosperous hostelry, much patronised by salm

, apologetically; "but I lost sight of her. She's back s

asked Mr. Hallinan. "Is he as

ple say!" The Doctor's heavy voice relaxed a little over the world tashpy (which, it should perhaps be explained, is Irish, and implies a ble

the other day," he went on, "and I

r's sick and tired trying to get what he's owed, out of them! There should be drink enough,

the bank that surrounded the wood, were shaken by the sudden appearance

ess noise!" said the Master's

s jaw dropped

murmured; "did he h

encouragingly. "And if he did itself, ma

l through the waiting riders. There followed the rustling rush of hounds through the undergrowth, as they

lcet! Forra

thout enthusiasm. "I wonder where is Tishy gone t

e tread of the hunt, which was slowly and steadily pushing upwards through the wood. Dr. Man

ur, too hampered by impeding rocks to make more speed than can be accomplished by a jog. The drain ended at a V-shaped fissure between two slants of rock, and, by the time the last horse had clattered and scra

y of Castle Ire. "If you get a chance, try and head him off the western rocks-and Bill!

es presented by rocks and bog holes. The offspring in question were now, with Larry, in comparative and undesired safety beneath the fluttering wing of Charl

own line, but the fences in their infinite variety, defied the staling force of custom, and the difficulties of the going were intensified by the pace. The hounds gained at length the ridge of the high country, and as they flitt

ry, kicking his heels into the bay cob's wel

lt," called back Bill Kirby

eelin Mountains, that brooded, in colour a deep and sullen sapphire, on the horizon. The town of Cluhir, a little puff of smoke, cut in two by the wide river, lay below. The spires of the two churche

t each other. The tradition of the Protestant, "No demonstrations!" with its singular suspicion and distrust of manifestation

ed manuals, stirred in her in accord with the faint clash of the chapel bells, making her envy Larry his accredited salutation, ma

mense rectangular rocks; one would say that only the grey and knotted cords of the ivy that had crept over them, held them in their place upon those rugged shelves. At one end of the level place the ground fell steeply to a wild stream, the Feorish, from whose farther bank another hill, but little less formidable than Carrigaholt, rose like an enemy t

the bottom of the gorge, she called to her fellows, and it was Christian, of all the riders, who first heard her voice. If Larry had had his great moment, when the fox broke, it was Christian's turn now, when Amazon fresh-found him. I suppose there are not

own a track that goats had made between rocks and bracken, and, at the base, found themselves confronted with the problem of the river. The River Styx could hardly look less attractive than did the Feorish, as it swirled, swollen and foaming, among its rocks, its dark torrent plunging from steep to steep in roaring waterfalls. Some country men, high on the cliffs, howled directions, and th

addressed himself to the task with elderly caution, feeling his way with suspicion, creeping across with slow-poised feet, and was so delicate over the effort, that Larry's cob, following t

that little Miss Christeen-she's a nummer she is!-she off'n 'er 'oss before I fair sees what's 'appened, and she ketches the y

-like swiftness of action that had saved Larry from a worse accident. Small and slender though she was, she was wiry, and she had

elpers, less swift but more powerful, it was found that Larry had not come out o