Then there, was a little difficulty at the boundary fence of Impington Hall Farm.  The Major who didn’t know the ground, tried it at an impracticable place, and brought his mare down.  But she fell at the right side, and he was quick enough in getting away from her, not to fall under her in the ditch.  Tony Tuppet, who knew every foot of that double ditch and bank, and every foot in the hedge above, kept well to the left and crept through a spot where one ditch ran into the other, intersecting of the fence.  Tony, like a knowing huntsman as he was, rode always for the finish and not for immediate glory.  Both Lord Rufford and Hampton, who in spite of their affected nonchalance were in truth rather riding against one another, took it all in a fly, choosing a lighter spot than that which the Major had encountered.  Larry had longed to follow them, or rather to take it alongside of them, but was mindful at last of Kate and hurried down the ditch to the spot which Tony had chosen and which was now crowded by horsemen.  “He would have done it as well as the best of them,” said Kate, panting for breath.

“We’re all right,” said Larry.  “Follow me.  Don’t let them hustle you out.  Now, Mat, can’t you make way for a lady half a minute?” Mat growled, quite understanding the use which was being made of Kate Masters; but he did give way and was rewarded with a gracious smile.  “You are going uncommon well, Miss Kate,” said Mat, “and I won’t stop you.”  “I am so much obliged to you, Mr. Ruggles,” said Kate, not scrupling for a moment to take the advantage offered her.  The fox had turned a little to the left, which was in Larry’s favour, and the Major was now close to him, covered on one side with mud, but still looking as though the mud were all right.  There are some men who can crush their hats, have their boots and breeches full of water, and be covered with dirt from their faces downwards, and yet look as though nothing were amiss, while, with others, the marks of a fall are always provocative either of pity or ridicule.  “I hope you’re not hurt, Major Caneback,” said Larry, glad of the occasion to speak to so distinguished an individual.  The Major grunted as he rode on, finding no necessity here even for his customary two words.  Little accidents, such as that, were the price he paid for his day’s entertainment.

As they got within view of Littleton Gorse Hampton, Lord Rufford, and Tony had the best of it, though two or three farmers were very close to them.  At this moment Tony’s mind was much disturbed, and he looked round more than once for Captain Glomax.  Captain Glomax had got into the brook, and had then ridden down to the high road which ran here near to them and which, as he knew, ran within one field of the gorse.  He had lost his place and had got a ducking and was a little out of humour with things in general.  It had not been his purpose to go to Impington on this day, and he was still, in his mind, saying evil things of the U.R.U. respecting that