[84] Hounds trained to stop at a word--as they are said to have done in the following paragraph.
"My hounds are bred out of the Spartan kind, So flew'd,[85] so sanded,[86] and their heads are hung With ears that sweep away the morning dew: Crook-knee'd and dew-lapp'd[87] like Thessalian bulls; Slow in pursuit, but match'd in mouths,[88] like bells, Each under each.[89] A cry more tuneable Was never holla'd to, nor cheer'd with horn."
[85] Flews are the chaps or overhanging upper lips of a dog.
[87] The dew-laps are the folds of skin hanging under the neck in some animals, especially cattle.
[88] Incorrectly quoted for "mouth," meaning bark or voice.
[89] _I.e_. at proper musical intervals, like a chime of bells.
Sir Roger is so keen at this sport that he has been out (124: 5) almost every day since I came down; and upon the chaplain's offering to lend me his easy pad, I was prevailed on yesterday morning to make one of the company. I was extremely pleased, as we rid along, to observe the general benevolence of all the neighbourhood towards (10) my friend. The farmers' sons thought themselves happy if they could open a gate for the good old knight as he passed by; which he generally requited with a nod or a smile, and a kind inquiry after their fathers and uncles.
After we had rid about a mile from home, we came (15) upon a large heath, and the sportsmen began to beat.[90] They had done so for some time, when, as I was at a little distance from the rest of the company, I saw a hare pop out from a small furze-brake almost under my horse's feet. I marked the way she took, which I endeavoured to make (20) the company sensible of by extending my arm; but to no purpose, till Sir Roger, who knows that none of my extraordinary motions are insignificant, rode up to me, and asked me if puss was gone that way. Upon my answering, "Yes," he immediately called in the dogs and put them upon the scent. As they were going off, I heard one of the country fellows muttering to his companion that 'twas a wonder they had not lost all their sport, for (125: 5) want of the silent gentleman's crying "Stole away!"
[90] _I.e_. to beat the bushes or undergrowth in order to rouse any game hidden there.