OTTER-HUNTING 



hot and sunny a day in summer as needs be ; and when the 

 pack fairly hunted her down, forced her out of the water, and 

 caught and killed her in a thick hedge, I was nearly run to a 

 stand-still.' 



In the 'sixties the propriety of using the spear under any 

 circumstances was challenged, with the result that it was dis- 

 carded altogether. There are not now hunting many men 

 who have seen a spear used. Few sports have gained so much 

 in popularity as otter-hvmting during recent years. In 1892 

 there were fifteen packs in existence : there are now twenty- 

 three ; and perhajas it is safe to assert that where ten followed 

 otter-hounds twenty years ago, thirty follow now. There was 

 a time, not so long gone, when an intending follower of otter- 

 hounds, anxious to be correctly turned out, received in reply 

 to his inquiry, ' Wliat is the uniform of your hunt ? ' the 

 eloquent postcard ' Rags ' from the M.O.H. Nowadays 

 each hunt has its distinctive uniform, neat and workmanlike. 



65 



