8 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



away, turn their heads and follow outside, and are 

 apt to be on the watch for it ever afterwards. 

 Had he gone steadily on, though outside, they 

 would have drawn it properly. That hounds 

 should be apt to dread being left behind is not 

 much to be wondered at, considering the quickness 

 with which they get away after their fox. 



When hounds are not in the habit of drawing 

 furze (in the upper countries called gorse or whins), 

 they will draw it best in the morning, when there 

 is a drag into it ; and by going round the cover 

 quietly they will feel it, and go well in. By going 

 on round it, the hounds will also find all the open 

 parts and more readily get in, than if the huntsman 

 rides up to one side only, and then tries to force 

 them to go in ; than which nothing has a more 

 disgusting effect. 



In large covers it often happens that several 

 foxes are on foot at the same time, and there is 

 great difference of opinion whether, if your hoimds 

 are running a fox, or more than one, and another 

 is viewed away from the cover, you should get 

 your hounds off the fox they are running and take 

 the flyer ; or stick to the one they are running. 

 If sport is the object, decidedly the flyer is the 

 fox to give it. Another reason for adopting this 

 plan is that, after the season begins, the field 

 have a right to expect sport. But if it is necessary 



