HUNTING 103 



I could not be at the meeting in the morning, 

 owing to duty in barracks ; but I did know that 

 a certain cover, which I beHeve is known as the 

 Black Hill, was to be drawn in the afternoon. 

 I had taken the precaution to send a hunter on 

 to a certain spot, on the south-west side of the 

 hill. Just as I arrived at the spot, and when 

 hounds were drawing, I spotted a fox slip over 

 the bank on the south side ; out of sight he was 

 for a minute or two, when suddenly he topped 

 the bank in the shelter of which I was lying 

 "doggo." This was quite three hundred yards 

 from the cover. Then I heard a oreat crash of 

 music. Making up my mind that there was likely 

 to be only one fox at home, I went off, following 

 the line of this good fox, who, it may be said, 

 was by no means a big one. My surmise as to 

 the fox proved correct, as a glance over my 

 shoulder showed the whole pack, carrying a great 

 head, going for all they were worth in pursuit 

 of myself and the fox. Very soon I pulled a bit 

 to one side, and never did hounds settle down in 

 more determined style to cover an eleven-mile 

 point, almost without a check as far as I could 

 judge. 



For three miles or more, with never a moment's 

 hesitation, the hounds ran almost mute, with a 

 breast-high scent. I am inclined to think that 



