116 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



had just killed a fox, although after a good run, 

 in Savernake Forest. The keeper came up and said, 

 " Sir, here is another ready for you up in an oak- 

 tree ! " The novelty of the thing induced him 

 against his better judgment to see the result of 

 turning him off his roost. The hounds were taken 

 aside some distance, and a man climbed up the 

 tree ; but the fox, which could be seen, did not 

 move till the man shook the ivy on which he lay, 

 when off he jumped, and had not the under 

 branches saved him he must have been killed. 

 As it was, he rebounded on reaching the ground, 

 three feet at least, and away he went, none the 

 worse for his flight. The hounds were shortly 

 lain on, and went straight to some immense woods ; 

 and the day finished with running three or four 

 foxes at dark. In Sherwood Forest, Nottingham- 

 shire, and in other forests, foxes often lie in hollow 

 trees, and very frequently run into them and save 

 themselves when hunted ; but sometimes are bolted 

 by terriers, which has been made a subject for 

 pictures in those countries. 



When a litter of cubs is known of, the sooner 

 they are moved the better ; if in an earth, apply a 

 match of brimstone, made thus — melt the brim- 

 stone over a fire, then spread on a sheet of brown 

 paper ; cut it in strips, an inch or two wide, then 

 split the end of a stick about eighteen inches long, 



