146 FOX-HUNTING 



before he has completed his round. When a 

 master of hounds engages either a huntsman or 

 a whip, the one thing he insists on is sobriety, 

 and no one can expect to get a good place about 

 whom there has been the faintest whisper of 

 intemperance. 



I have up to now spoken only of the duties of 

 the first whip, but what I have said will apply 

 equally to the second. There are different rules 

 in different establishments ; but I think myself that 

 when hounds are running a second whip's place 

 is not in close attendance on them, though for the 

 first part of the run he may be somewhere handy. 

 On nearing coverts he should get on to view 

 the fox away, and when thoroughly tired should 

 never lose sight of him. 



When hounds are left behind it is the second 

 whip who will have to go back again, and he 

 should get to the front again without tiring his 

 horse. He has plenty of opportunities for showing 

 whether his head is screwed on the right way, 

 and it is at this period of his life that he will be 

 able to acquire a knowledge of foxes' habits that 

 will be most useful to him on promotion to the 

 post of huntsman. 



