HARE-HUNTING 251 



time of day that a huntsman to beagles should 

 be ready to exert himself, and unless he is a 

 good stayer, it is then he will be found wanting. 

 Whilst the pack are fresh at the beginning of 

 the day they may be left practically to them- 

 selves, and in fact that is the best plan for 

 several reasons ; but at the end of a hard and 

 tiring run, after there have been perhaps half 

 a dozen changes and after four hours' continuous 

 running, the hare gets tired and there seems a 

 chance of a kill. The huntsman must then be 

 ready to take advantage of every opportunity 

 he sees of getting nearer to his hare, and must 

 press his hounds on. A kill at the end of a 

 really hard day is of great benefit to hounds, 

 and the reverse when you fail. You may be 

 tired out, leg-weary and hungry, but you must 

 persevere, and your reward will come the next 

 time you hunt. To do these things you must 

 be in good condition, full of hard muscle and 

 in fair wind. 



Having made the pack and yourself fit, you 

 will begin to think of a hunt, and when the corn 

 is all cut the desire will become strong. With 

 small hounds it is advisable to begin early whilst 



