human
Ah! sir, it's the breakfast as brings 'em--at least, a great many of 'em.
gpt
Well, I daresay that has something to do with it, replied the Captain;
human
Very much obliged to you, Captain, indeed, thrusting the note into his pocket;
gpt
It may be done, Slowman, replied the Captain cautiously;
human
I'm mum, sir. Mum as a gravestone.
gpt
Well, you see, Slowman, having found out what they are coming for, I've a pill for them. You draw the six-acre oak spinny first. Well, there will be a _drag_ from that over the stiffest country to Bolton Mill. That's eight miles as the crow flies. There, under the lee of a hedge, will be old Towler with a fresh-caught fox from their own country. As he hears the hounds coming up he will let him loose. He's not one of your three-legged ones, but a fresh one, caught only this afternoon. I've seen him--such a trimmer! He'll lead them straight away for their own country. And if the strangers, and old Spraggon, and Jawleyford, and all the rest of them can see it through, they are better men than I take them to be. I shall have my second horse ready for me at the mill. And so had you better. I'll take the conceit out of the beggars.
human
By the living Harry! exclaimed the huntsman,
gpt
Not a bit, Slowman. They, as you know, won't go four miles.
human
Yes, sir, yes. I know all that. But if they should twig? They have the coin, you know.
gpt
But they will not, Slowman. Now, I will tell you a secret; but, mind, it's between ourselves. Honour, you know.
human
Honour bright, Captain,
gpt
Well, then, to-morrow at breakfast, Head and Over will announce their intention of resigning.
human
No, sir; you don't mean it?
gpt
I do, replied the Captain,
human
And I am going to take them on, and you too. I am to be your M.F.H. It's all cut and dried. So you see you should run no risk. But not a word of this.
gpt
Dash my boots and tops, Captain, but you are a trimmer! But, he continued,
human
But you will not, Slowman. The cover is mine, and has been well hunted through to-day, and will be to-morrow morning again. No fox will be found there.