128 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



We will let the apex of the pyramid alone for the 

 present, taking the safest and broadest end of the hunt 

 first. 



If, then, you have achieved so bad a start that it is 

 impossible to make up your lee-way, or if you are on a 

 hack with neither power nor intention to ride in the 

 front rank, be sure you cannot take matters too coolly 

 should you wish to command the line of chase and see 

 as much as possible of the fun. 



I am supposing the hounds have found a good fox 

 that knows more than one parish, and are running him 

 with a holding scent. However favourable your start, 

 and fate is sure to arrange a good one for a man too 

 badly mounted to avail himself of it, let nothing induce 

 you to keep near the pack. At a mile off you can 

 survey and anticipate their general direction, at a quarter 

 that distance you must ride every turn. Do not be 

 disordered by the brilliancy of the pace should their fox 

 go straight up wind. If he does not sink it within five 

 minutes he means reaching a drain, and another five 

 will bring the " who-whoop ! " that marks him to ground. 

 This is an unfailing deduction, but happily the most 

 discreet of us are apt to forget it. Time after time we 

 are so fooled by the excitement of our gallop that even 

 experience does not make us wise, and we enjoy the 



