THE ART ITSELF 169 



take care that none are following at your horse's 

 heels. 



My reasons for advising drawing small coverts 

 down-wind are, first of all, that a fox should not 

 be chopped, and secondly, that it gives a good 

 fox the opportunity of going away in the direc- 

 tion for which he is certain to make ultimately. 

 I know many huntsmen like to get their fox 

 away up-wind ; but he is sure to turn in a field 

 or two, and then hounds go from good condi- 

 tions to bad, which puts them in a worse position 

 than if they had started down- wind. By starting 

 down-wind a fox is much more likely to go 

 straight and make a good point ; then, as he 

 becomes tired, every turn he makes will be in 

 favour of hounds. I also maintain that hounds 

 will run faster down-wind with a fox that does 

 not turn, than the contrary way with one which 

 is always twisting. 



It is three weeks or more since last hounds 

 were in this covert during cub-hunting ; but you 

 remember the spot where the big dog-fox was 

 lying on that occasion, and you have a fancy 

 he may be there again to-day. You would like, 

 if possible, to have a good gallop on your first 



