178 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



I believe, that the best way to follow hounds across a 

 country, is to keep on the line of them, and to dis- 

 mount at once, when you come to a leap which you do 

 not choose to take ; for in looking about for easier 

 places, much time is lost. In following hounds, it 

 may be useful to you to know, that when in cover they 

 run up the wind, you cannot in reason be too far be- 

 hind them, as long as you have a perfect hearing of 

 them, and can command them ; and on the contrary, 

 when they are running down the wind, you cannot 

 keep too close to them. 



You complain that foxes are in too great plenty : 

 believe me, it is a good fault. I should as soon have 

 expected to have heard our old acquaintance. Jack 



R , complain of having too much money : however, 



it is not without a remedy — hunt the same covers con- 

 stantly, and you will soon disperse them. If your 

 pack be strong enough, divide it ; hunt every day, and 

 you will catch many tired foxes. I remember to have 

 killed a brace in one morning in the strongest season ; 

 the first in ten minutes, the second in half an hour. 

 If your own pack be not strong enough to hunt more 

 than every other day, get a pack of harriers to hunt 

 hare in the cover the intermediate day. Foxes, thus 

 disturbed, will shift their quarters ; they know their 

 enemies, and smell in the night where they have been 

 in the day, and will not stay where they are likely to 

 be disturbed by them. Follow them for one week in 

 this manner, and I do not think you will have any 

 reason, afterwards, to complain that they are in too 

 great plenty. 



