THE FOX 131 



Neither is it a proof of a fox being a bad one, his 

 going to ground shortly after being found. It is 

 the greatest proof of his sagacity, especially on a 

 good scenting day. This is acquired by age and 

 experience, which the following account with the 

 writer's hounds may prove. The meeting was near 

 a fashionable town, and it being the day after a 

 gay fancy ball in that part, a large field were 

 present, when to the delight of all a fox was found, 

 which, after a ring or two in the adjoining covers 

 with a capital scent, went to a by-earth, to the 

 great annoyance of every one, more particularly 

 of the writer ; and no small share of rating got 

 the earth-stopper, who declared that he had put 

 to, that is, merely thrust some sticks into it, which 

 was not a regular earth. The hounds laid at it, 

 and were baying, although there was only a possi- 

 bility for a fox to have drawn himself in, probably 

 owing to their hounds lying and scratching at the 

 earth. But thinking it possible the fox was not 

 gone in, he trotted off with the hounds to the 

 farther end of the small cover, when the hounds 

 hit off the scent ; and the fox having got a little 

 law, went down wind nearly as straight as possible 

 by the map sixteen miles, when the hounds ran 

 into him, just after crossing a wide piece of water, 

 which did the business for him. So good a run 

 was it, that one or two of those who saw the finish 



