62 FOXHUNTING ON LAKELAND FELLS 



unusual degree. The records of foxes killed in any 

 one season will testify to their qualities in the above 

 respect, while their powers of owning a stale drag 

 leave no doubt concerning their noses. The reason 

 why the fell hounds possess great scenting power 

 is because of the way they are bred, and also 

 owing to the fact that they do practically all their 

 work unaided, and thus become persevering and 

 absolutely self-rehant. This leads to a high 

 development, through constant use, of the powers 

 with which they are naturally endowed. 



It is commonly understood that the fashionable 

 hounds in the Shires are second to none for pace. 

 Whilst they may be fast, I doubt very much if 

 they can equal, let alone surpass, the fell hounds 

 for speed. The moorland hounds in Yorkshire are 

 of the same type as our fell hounds, and sportsmen 

 in the " county of broad acres " are quite as keen 

 on hound trails as are the men of the Lake country. 



A Uttle story from Yorkshire, concerning the 

 speed of hounds, may, therefore, be worth repeating. 



On one occasion, Bobbie Dawson, huntsman 

 to the Billsdale, went to a fixture of the Sinnington 

 pack, taking with him one of his own hiU hounds, 

 by name, " Minister." After trying for some 

 time, hounds failed to find a fox, so Bobbie took 

 " Minister " to a little covert, where the hound 

 found a fox, coursed it and killed it in the open. 

 Jack Parker, the Sinnington huntsman, was rather 



