Page:Lesbia Newman - Dalton - 1889.djvu/93

 ‘Hold hard, gentlemen, please,’ said the master; ‘no use riding to meet ’em; not a bit; let ’em come, let ’em come.’

The next moment the white mare topped the gate in first-rate form; then the cry ceased suddenly behind the near hedge, and Lesbia was seen to pull up and dismount in the middle of the same field.

‘All right, they’ve run into him!’ exclaimed the master. ‘Try and save the fur, Miller; that young lady has won it well.’

‘Yes, she has indeed, Sir Richard,’ and the huntsman dashed off as hard as he could. The whips and several of the field trotted after him.

‘Fifty-three minutes from breaking cover, or just an hour from find to finish,’ said the master, taking out his watch as he jogged in the same direction by the side of the American girl. As he spoke the horn sounded several blasts, and the well-known Whoo—oop! mingled with the renewed chorus of the hounds.

‘I congratulate you, Miss Newman, it’s been the fastest thing this season, and you’ve had it all to yourself ever since you beat us at that ugly place,’ said the master, dismounting to shake hands with our heroine. ‘Devilish fine fencer that mare of yours, and very plucky of you both to go at that rail; I was afraid it wouldn’t break. Fortune favours the brave. Now you must be blooded—I presume this is your first kill in the open?’ So saying, he approached her again, with the dripping brush in his hand. ‘Why there’s blood upon your face already! How’s that? No, don’t wipe it off, it’s an honourable scar.’

‘Mare tripped at the start in the big wood, and threw up her head; it’s nothing, Sir Richard, thanks,’ answered Lesbia, all aglow.

‘No, that’s a small mishap; but you had a fine piece of