358 HUNTING. 



rag (Fig. 137) is seen, should be avoided, as these 

 signals denote the presence of wire. As these death- 

 traps bear no warning notice in some places (Fig. 138), 

 it behoves people hunting in such countries to keep a 

 sharp look-out for unmarked wire and iron hurdles 

 (Fig. 139). 



Some farmers appear to use wire in an un- 

 necessary manner. For instance, placing it on the top 

 of a gate (Fig. 140) seems to have no raison detre, 

 except to hurt unfortunate hunters which in breasting 

 such a gate to push it open, are apt to get badly 

 pricked and run suddenly back to avoid it, with the 

 possible result of injury to both horses and riders 

 behind them. Also, I have seen wire put up in fields 

 in which there were no cattle, and removed after the 

 hunting season, to duly appear again in the following- 

 one. Other tricks, such as sending sheep-dogs to head 

 foxes, and stationing farm hands to shout " wire !" where 

 there is none, have also come under my personal 

 notice. Indeed it is impossible to live in the country, 

 without observing such acts of hostility on the part of 

 farmers towards "hunting people." I cannot help 

 thinking that much of this tension might be removed, 

 if every hunt secretary followed the example of Colonel 

 Francis Henry, the Hon. Secretary of the Duke of 

 Beaufort's Hunt, of whom we read in B ally's Magazine 

 of March, 1902 : " Colonel Henry, who, in the opinion 

 of his numerous friends, seems to possess the secret of 

 eternal youth, contrives to enquire personally into every 

 complaint that is sent to him, whether relating to 



