76 MEMORIES OF THE SHIRES 



whilst in covert, and to see them flying out in reply 

 to his cheer was a sight not to be forgotten when 

 once seen. He never looked back, but galloped on 

 blowing his horn, and though he might have started 

 with only one or two couple, every hound would 

 be there before they were out of the first field. 

 Perhaps it may have been in their anxiety not to be 

 left behind that made the Quorn rather weak in the 

 matter of drawing — it was the one bad point. 

 Every huntsman has his own idea or feeling as to 

 what quarter of a covert a fox is likely to be in, and 

 the feeling is frequently influenced by previous 

 experience in that covert ; hounds will be inclined 

 to search more diligently where they have pre- 

 viously found, and neglect a part where they have 

 never met with success. 



In the short winter days you cannot afford to 

 waste time in drawing unlikely spots, and Firr was 

 doubtless right in trying where he had found before, 

 which, when blank, he would leave quickly to try 

 elsewhere. 



The finding of a fox always interested me, and 

 if I saw that Firr had missed a spot which in my 

 mind was likely, I frequently tried it myself. My 

 success on these occasions was probably due to 

 having studied the habits of the fox. I hardly ever 

 remember finding in a covert after the Belvoir had 

 drawn it. I recall one occasion with the Quorn 

 when, had it not been for my officious interference, 

 we should have missed a very good gallop. 



It was a bright, sunny afternoon towards the 

 end of March, and with only moderate sport in the 

 morning the order was given for Burrough Hill Wood 

 as a last chance. This covert has changed its appear- 



