18 FOXHUNTING ON LAKELAND FELLS 



into grass j&elds in the valley. There are plenty 

 of foxes, but sport is never quite at its best until 

 rain or snow has beaten down the luxuriant 

 growth of bracken, which flourishes everywhere. 

 Here a mounted man has the advantage over 

 one on foot, as when hounds run fast it is difficult 

 to keep in touch with them, and, owing to the 

 woods, quite impossible to see for any distance. 

 I have enjoyed some very good sport there at 

 different times, though I much prefer hunting on 

 the open fells. 



Many of the dalesmen are extraordinarily keen 

 on hunting, nor does age appear to daunt them. 

 I know several men over seventy years old who 

 foUow hounds at every opportunity. One keen 

 hunter lived to be over ninety, and actually cHmbed 

 to the top of Coniston Old Man on his ninetieth 

 birthday. It was the immortal Jorrocks's hunts- 

 man, James Pigg, who said, " Brandy and baccy Tl 

 gar a man hve for iver ! " but in the case of the 

 north-country dalesman I think it is fresh moun- 

 tain air and lots of exercise that " keeps the 

 tambourine a rowUn' ! " 



The various inns throughout the country have 

 harboured many a gathering of hunters after the 

 death of a fox in their vicinity. It is the custom 

 in Lakeland to take the carcass of the fox to the 

 nearest inn, where it is hung from a " crook " in 

 the ceiling of the bar-parlour, for all to see. 



