62 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



like steam-engines, on the very spot where the 

 hounds first threw up, and where the fox headed 

 or turned short to the right or left probably ; 

 then, instead of appearing to be aware that they 

 have caused the check, like at the building of 

 the tower of Babel, there begins a confusion of 

 tongues, instead of each being anxiously quiet, 

 with the hope of not attracting the hounds by a 

 word even, of so much consequence is it just then ; 

 forgetting that by prolonging the check — which 

 talking is likely to do — ^they throw away the advan- 

 tages they have gained by being in the first flight, 

 and give the rest of the field time to get up. 



Those men get on best with hounds in a sharp 

 run who always follow them through covers, even 

 if there is no ride, if possible. Unless a man has 

 been used to a woodland country, and has allowed 

 his horse to have his head, and to pick his own 

 way through a new-cut wood, stubs, etc., he had 

 better keep the track ; but if a man has nerve 

 enough to allow his horse to have his nose down 

 to his knees, and never to guide him through 

 stubs, the horse will not lame himself. The fact 

 is, the horse will be looking at one stub, and the 

 man at another ; so that when the horse is guided 

 from where he was looking and intended to step, 

 it is an even chance but that he knocks his legs 

 to pieces. 



