Echoes of the Hunting Horn 



polite but stern edict prohibiting the attendance of 

 mounted followers at his early-morning meets. 



Cub-hunting appeals to different people in different 

 ways. Some enthusiasts, glad that the long inaction of 

 summer is over, are delighted to renew their acquaint- 

 anceship with the pack, and are keenly anxious to see 

 good hound-work. Others are desirous of introducing 

 their young horses to hounds, and perhaps a few fences. 

 An early-morning ride appeals to others, from purely a 

 health viewpoint, perhaps. Indeed, the reasons that 

 could be set forth in explanation of individual attendance 

 are numerous; but no matter what these may be, there 

 seems little doubt that a big crowd does more harm than 

 good. 



A few people who know how to act intelligently at 

 a big woodside can undoubtedly be of very real assist- 

 ance to the huntsman. With a small gathering he can 

 convey his wishes very clearly and can do so quite 

 casually, almost as part of a normal conversation. With 

 a big crowd he is forced to give orders, which he pro- 

 bably dislikes doing, instructing them what to do and 

 when to do it; and as big crowds are usually talkative, 

 half his lecture is wasted before they even realise he 

 is speaking. 



The whole principle of cub -hunting may be nullified 

 by the thoughtless chatter of those present. The hunts- 

 man wants to train his young hounds. They have 

 never seen or smelt a fox before. The wood may hold 

 several foxes; an old dog or vixen and a litter of cubs. 

 Cubs are less wary than their parents, and young 



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