48 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



It is fair to add that this gentleman was oftener 

 first than any other man throughout the run 

 alluded to. 



According to the above, enough has been said 

 to prove that many men do not care about hunt- 

 ing ; but the present rage for steeple-chases will 

 give those men an opportunity of distinguishing 

 themselves by desperate riding ; and when they 

 learn that they are outdone by horse-dealers, 

 grooms, etc., it is probable that they may think 

 more of the hunting part of the day's sport. These 

 hints are written with the hope that already some 

 young ones may be coming on to whom they may 

 be useful. 



First, it is necessary to go to the place of meet- 

 ing ; and in doing this it is suggested that men 

 should avoid passing through a cover which is 

 likely to be drawn that day, for a good fox is 

 always awake, and on hearing horses near, will 

 often leave his kennel and steal away. The con- 

 sequence is that a good day's sport is converted 

 into a bad one ; for on drawing this cover, the 

 hounds get on the stale scent of this fox which 

 is gone, and hunt a walking pace for some time, 

 probably over a fine country, instead of going 

 away on good terms with him ; and they may 

 afterwards find a bad fox when they ought to be 

 going home. 



