American literature -- Humor; American wit and humor
Just then the hounds swept over the crest of a green hill, and as they
went down the other side they viewed the fox in the field beyond. He was
in distress, and it looked as if the pack would kill in the open. They
were running wonderfully together, a blanket would have covered them,
and in the natural glow of pride which came over the M. F. H., he
loosened his grip upon the crop. But as the hounds viewed the fox, so
did the three sons of the wilderness who were following close behind.
From the hill-top fifty of the hardest going men in England saw
Hole-in-the-Ground flogging his horse with the heavy quirt which hung
from his wrist. The outraged British hunter shot forward scattering
hounds to right and left, flew a ditch and hedge and was close on the
fox, who had stopped to make a last stand. Without drawing rein, the
astonished onlookers saw the lean Indian suddenly disappear under the
neck of his horse and almost instantly swing back into his seat waving a
brown thing above his head. Hole-in-the-Ground had caught the fox.
"Most unprecedented!" Mr. Carteret heard the Major exclaim. He pulled up
his horse, as the field did with theirs, and waited apprehensively. He
saw Hole-in-the-Ground circle around, jerk the Major's five hundred
guinea hunter to a standstill close to Lord Ploversdale and address him.
He was speaking in his own language.
As the Chief went on, he saw Grady smile.
"He says," says Grady, translating, "that the white chief can eat the
fox if he wants him. He's proud himself, bein' packed with store grub."
The English onlookers heard and beheld with blank faces. It was beyond
them.
The M. F. H. bowed stiffly as Hole-in-the-Ground's offer was made known
to him. He regarded them a moment in thought. A vague light was breaking
in upon him. "Aw, thank you," he said. "Smith, take the fox. Good
afternoon!"
Then he wheeled his horse, called the hounds in with his horn and
trotted out to the road that led to the kennels. Lord Ploversdale,
though he had never been out of England, was cast in a large mold.
The three Indians sat on their panting horses, motionless, stolidly
facing the curious gaze of the crowd; or rather they looked through the
crowd, as the lion, with the high breeding of the desert, looks through
and beyond the faces that stare and gape before the bars of his cage.
"Most amazing! Most amazing!" muttered the Major.
"It is," said Mr. Carteret, "if you have never been away from this." He
made a sweeping gesture over the restricted English scenery, pampered
and brought up by hand.
"Been away from this?" repeated the Major. "I don't understand."
Mr. Carteret turned to him. How could he explain it?
"With us," he began, laying an emphasis on the "us." Then he stopped.
"Look into their eyes," he said hopelessly.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account