Mr. Punch in the Hunting Field Part 12

[Ill.u.s.tration: WHOSE FAULT?

"He _can_ jump, but he _won't!_"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: A VIEW HALLOO

(_Hounds at fault_)

_Whip_ (_bustling up to young Hodge, who has just begun to wave his cap and sing out l.u.s.tily_). "Now then, where is he?"

_Young H._ "Yonder, sir! Acomin' across yonder!"

_Whip._ "Get out, why there ain't no fox there stoopid!"

_Young H._ "No, sir; but there be our Billy on his jacka.s.s!"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Miss Nelly_ (_to her Slave, in the middle of the best thing of the Season_). "Oh, Mr. Rowel, do you mind going back? I dropped my whip at the last fence!"]

SEVERE

_M.F.H._ (_to Youth from neighbouring Hunt, who has been making himself very objectionable_). "Now, look here, young man. I go cub-hunting for the purpose of educating _my own_ puppies. As you belong to another pack, I'll thank you to take yourself home!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: HUNTING MEMORANDUM

Appearance of things in general to a gentleman who has just turned a complete somersault!

_* &c., &c., represent sparks of divers beautiful colours._]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "LE SPORTMAN"

"Hi!! Hi!! Stop ze cha.s.se! I tomble--I faloff! _Stop ze fox!_"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "CUBBING EVENTS CAST THEIR SHADOWS"

_Half-awakened un-enthusiastic Sportsman_ (_who wished to go out cub-hunting, but has entirely changed his mind, drowsily addressing rather astonished burglar_). "Awright, old boy. Can't come with you this morning. Too sleepy."

[_Turns round and resumes deep sleep where he left off._

[Ill.u.s.tration: A BROKEN PLEDGE

_Sportsman on bank_ (_to Friend in brook_). "Hallo, Thompson, is that you?

Why, I thought you had joined the 'No Drinks in between Meals' Party!"]

"IN THE DIM AND DISTANT FUTURE"

_First Sportsman_ (_cantering along easily_). "I say, we shall see you at dinner on the nineteenth, shan't we?"

_Second Ditto_ (_whose horse is very fresh, and bolting with him_). "If the beast goes on like this--hanged if you'll ever see me again."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THERE'S LIFE IN THE OLD DOG YET

_Ex-M.F.H._ (_eighty-nine and paralytic_). "Fora-a-d! Fora-a-d!

Fora-a-a-d!"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Huntsman_ (_making a cast for the line of the fox, near a railway_). "Hold hard, please! Don't ride over the line!"

_Would-be Thrusters._ "Oh, no, we won't. There's a bridge farther on!"]

[Ill.u.s.tration: "RANK BLASPHEMY"

_Squire Oldboy, M.H._ (_enjoying a long and very slow hunt_). "There she goes! Afraid it's a new hare though."

_Bored Sportsman._ "How lucky! The other must be getting doosid old."]

[Ill.u.s.tration: A CHECK

_Huntsman._ "Seen the fox, my boy?"

_Boy._ "No, I ain't!"

_Huntsman._ "Then, what are you hollarin' for?"