12 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



should feel indifferent whether he killed or not ; 

 for if he could go home, to bed, and to sleep, 

 without satisfying himself as to what became of 

 his fox, he would not do for some people. 



It is no uncommon thing to hear men who have 

 nothing to do with the hounds say, " Well, never 

 mind ; we have had a good day's sport. He is a 

 good fox, and will show us another," etc. This is 

 all very well, but it will not do for a huntsman. 

 The better the run, the more anxious he will be 

 to kill, or run to ground ; for, without either, it 

 is not perfect, and may be compared to a fox 

 without a brush, — having the matchless beauties 

 combined, and yet not perfect ; for he should 

 always give an account of his fox if he can. And 

 if he wishes to have plenty, he must kill them ; 

 for, however strange it may appear, it is the only 

 way to ensure a stock in the country ; and at the 

 same time you secure the support and assistance 

 of the farmers, and those keepers who are not 

 maliciously disposed, when it is known that you 

 do kill all you can, and do not go home satisfied 

 by saying, '* Oh ! we have had a good run, and 

 he will show us another " ; then they will not kill 

 them. But how can it be supposed that any 

 farmer will like the thought of seeing the same 

 ground and fences ridden over constantly, owing 

 to one particular fox being too stout to be killed 



