This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1902 edition. Excerpt: ...of yours, Pat Dougan by name." "Tis Peter Dougan you mane; and you are Mr. Russell, ef you had them from him. Ah! poor Peter; he dearly loved hunting, and was always talking about your riverence; he's been dead many, many years." On parting company the packmen volunteered to bring him the handkerchiefs he required; a promise which, after due time, they did not fail to fulfil. Now for Billy, the stand-by of Russell's stable, and, as he was wont to declare, the best horse he ever crossed in his life. Billy was a bay pony, fourteen hands high--" big as a mountain and long as to-day and to-morrow." He was by a two-year-old grass colt by Twilight, a grandson of Eclipse, out of an Exmoor pony; and was bred by Mr. Wreford, of Clannaborough, so well known to Devonshire men as one of the most successful breeders of blood stock in the West of England. Of the stout and enduring qualities of Billy it is enough to say that Russell never knew him beaten; nor, as a proof of it, did he ever fail to come home merrily, however long the day, and pick up his corn to the last grain in the manger. His staying powers in chase, his bankfencing, and mode of getting through heavy ground, under the weight he carried and the pace he maintained, were truly marvellous. "Russell," writes Mr. Harris, "mounted me once on Billy, and little did I anticipate the great treat in store for me. The meet was at Broadbury Castle; and thinking him a pony I at first rode him quietly; but when the hounds began to run, Billy pulled at his snaffle, and letting him go he went with a will right up to the head, as if he had said to himself, 'That's my place, and I mean to keep it.' And so he did; no bank could stop him; no pace choke him off; he...