Fox Hunting in the Sunny South 35 



to death," says the proud possessor, "can't keep her at home." 

 There is sure to be added, to an account of her great trailing 

 quaHties, "There is not a better hound in the state, no matter 

 where they come from." The writer never met a man in all 

 his travels, or while living for a time in the South, who did not 

 have among his dogs at least one that was "the best in the 

 state." 



Pardon for dwelling over long on this point, but no one 

 can understand what fox hunting means in the South until 

 this question of hound requirements and hound management 

 is disposed of. Even where these two requirements in a hound 

 are developed to perfection, and where fox limiting is the uni- 

 versal sport of the country, it is a very rare thing that these 

 hounds overtake and kill their game. That's not at all essential 

 to the happiness of a southern sportsman. The prime object 

 is to see hounds hunt and listen to the "heavenly music." The 

 owners know the country, and the habits of the foxes chased 

 from certain coverts, so well that the moment hounds give 

 tongue in any particular wood, the owner rides to a certain 

 point where he may view the chase as it goes past. Having 

 arrived at the point ahead of the game, he lights his pipe, and 

 waits and listens to his hounds. When finally he hears them 

 coming, he says "That's Old Barter," or "Claw Hammer," 

 as the case may be, whichever hound seems to be leading, for 

 each one is distinguished by its voice. The sound grows 

 fainter, and you suggest "The game is going the other way." 

 "No," replies your host, "he has only made liis usual double 

 back, and will be passing here in the next ten minutes." 



Many of the keenest southern fox hunters prefer to hunt 

 by moonlight, because the music carries farther in the stillness 

 of the night. Again this is the time foxes are always on foot. 



When fox and hounds have passed a given point, our host 

 rides to some other point where he is nearly certain the fox will 

 pass again in maldng back towards the place of starting. It 



