CHANGE PREJUDICIAL TO HOUNDS 99 



that the steam of many horses, carried by the wind, and mixed with a cold 

 scent, is prejudicial to it. 



It sometimes will happen, that a good horseman is not so well in with 

 hounds as an indifferent one ; because he seldom will condescend to get off 

 his horse. I believe, that the best way to follow hounds across a country, 

 is to keep on the line of them, and to dismount at once, when you come to a 

 leap which you do not choose to take ; for in looking about for easier places, 

 much time is lost. In following hounds, it may be useful to you to know, 

 that when in cover they run up the wind, you cannot in reason be too far 

 behind them, as long as you have a perfect hearing of them, and can com- 

 mand them ; and on the contrary, when they are running down the wind, 

 you cannot keep too close to them. 



You complain that foxes are in too great plenty : believe me it is a 

 good fault. I should as soon have expected to have heard our old acquaint- 

 ance, Jack R , complain of having too much money : however, it 



is not without a remedy hunt the same covers constantly, and you will 

 soon disperse them. If your pack be strong enough, divide it ; hunt every 

 day, and you will catch many tired foxes. I remember to have killed a 

 brace in one morning in the strongest season ; the first in ten minutes, the 

 second in half an hour. If your own pack be not strong enough to hunt 

 more than every other day, get a pack of harriers to hunt hare in the cover 

 the intermediate day. Foxes, thus disturbed, will shift their quarters ; they 

 know their enemies, and smell in the night where they have been in < the 

 day, and will not stay where they are likely to be disturbed by them. 

 Follow them for one week in this manner, and I do not think you wilHiave 

 any reason, afterwards, to complain that they are in too great plenty. 



When covers are much disturbed, foxes will sometimes break as soon 

 as they hear a hound. Where the country round is very open, the fox least 

 likely to break, is that which you are hunting : he will be very unwilling to 

 quit the cover, if it be a large one, unless he can get a great distance before 

 the hounds. Should you be desirous to get a run over such a country, the 

 likeliest means will be to post a quiet and skilful person to halloo one off, 

 and lay on to him. The further he is before you, the less likely he will be to 

 return. The best method, however, to hunt a cover like this, is to stick 

 constantly to it, not suffering the hounds to break, so long as one fox shall 

 remain : do this two or three hunting days following ; foxes will then fly, 

 and you will have good chases. 



Nothing is more hurtful to hounds, than the frequent changing of 

 their country : should they change from a good-scenting country to a bad 

 one, unless they have luck on their sides, they may be some time without 

 killing a fox ; whereas, hounds have always a great advantage in a country 

 which they are used to : they not only know better where to find their 

 game, but they will also pursue it with more alacrity afterwards. 



