viii THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



them to overrun the scent ; or he has run to 

 ground ; or perhaps he has gone straight ahead, 

 and the scent is interrupted by a flock of rooks 

 or starlings settUng on his Hne, or by his being 

 hunted by a cur-dog, or by some atmospheric 

 influence causing the scent to rise or to disappear 

 for a time. The idea underlying Mr. Smith's cast 

 is to mark the spot where the leading hounds 

 last owned to the scent, and to draw a complete 

 cordon round that spot. If this fails, a second 

 and a wider cordon should be drawn encircling the 

 first. When these two cordons have been com- 

 pleted with no response, human ingenuity is baffled 

 for the time being. This operation is geometrically 

 correct. But the distinguishing characteristic of 

 Mr. Smith's geometry is that the initial attempt 

 shall be made up wind. To do this only takes a 

 very short time owing to the favourable wind. 

 If it is a success, nothing but an open drain can save 

 the Fox. If it fails, hardly any time is lost. If, 

 on the contrary, the huntsman neglects it and the 

 Fox has turned up wind, the long down wind cast 

 can last for ever, and with all the horses behind 

 him, he may never get back up wind at all, except 

 on to ground that is foiled and at a time when 

 the Fox has got a start that can never be 

 overtaken. 



Mr. Smith's Chapter on Foxhounds is quite 



