HUNTERS AND HUNTING. 593 



ing a success, as their whole desire has been to breed only 

 the best, and to the hound who started his fox, followed him 

 from morning to night, was first to pass each stand on 

 the run-way, giving good tongue, was the prize of honor 

 awarded. 



Did you ever see them ? If their ears were properly 

 trimmed and set up you would believe them a pack of large 

 black-and-tan terriers, except that their tails are carried a 

 little over their backs, tucked up in the flank like a grey- 

 hound, as different from an English foxhound, as a Field 

 Trial Pointer of the South is from the Bench Show Pointer 

 of the North. Tongue they have, plenty of it and more too, 

 and it takes an expert almost to determine whether they 

 really mean business or are just playing; but the fact remains 

 that they are the only strain that can take an American red 

 fox at dawn, run him all day, and night if necessary. 



The Virginia country is a combination of rail fences and 

 stone walls ; not the large stones which you find in the 

 North, but much smaller, so much so that often plugs of 

 wood have to be put in the wall to make the stone balance 

 and lay level. This makes it pleasant for your green mount's 

 knees as he can push them over without so much injury 

 to himself. 



Now that hunting is becoming more popular, and more 

 men have time for its pursuit, there is no doubt that some 

 of the hunts in the North will arrange to have not only their 

 northern country, but a southern country, where they can 

 go and enjoy sport through the winter months. October 

 and November are altogether too short, and when the com- 

 bination of huntsman and servant, horse and hound, is once 

 established it can be easily moved here and there. 



