312 CENTURY OF ENGLISH FOX-HUNTING 



overtired him would make a good scout. Now, 

 our forefathers, though many of them were welter 

 weights, covered distances on the same horse which 

 appear to us incredible. They knew that it is the 

 pace that kills, and recognised the truth of the 

 proverb, "The more haste the less speed." The 

 modern thrusting scoundrel could never have lived 

 through those long runs. There is a class of men 

 who, if they get a bad start, race along as hard as 

 their horses can go in order to get in the first flight. 

 Then in ten minutes they are surprised if it is 

 a case of " bellows to mend." They do not know, 

 and will not learn how to save their horses. Well, 

 of course they are at liberty to ride to hounds in 

 whatever way they please, so long as they do not 

 spoil the sport of their neighbours ; but when it 

 came to man-hunting they would probably find 

 themselves in the position of the fox, instead of in 

 the position of the hounds. Such men would be 

 worse than useless as scouts, for a scout must be 

 a judge of pace, and thoroughly understand the 

 capabilities of his horse, for it will be at the end 

 of his reconnaissance that he will probably have to 

 ride for his life. 



But it must be remembered that we cannot all 

 become scouts, as the rule is for each squadron to 

 have one officer and eight men trained as scouts ; 

 and though the hunting-field is an excellent pre- 

 liminary school, much special training is necessary. 

 In regard to this special training, I would refer my 



