83 



power of finishing a hunt. The beaten fox's scent 

 weakens and the moment when the pack out of blood 

 should redouble its efforts, it slackens off. Hounds 

 may hunt as well as ever, but they lack the determina- 

 tion and drive to run up to their fox. It is then a 

 huntsman must instil his own perseverance and he is 

 justified in taking every opportunity of accompHshing 

 a kill. Hounds in blood wiU kill their fox without 

 assistance, but those that have been unfortunate for 

 a considerable period must be helped in every way. 



Personally, I am very doubtful if there is anything 

 achieved by a kill when there has been no run. Hounds 

 always appreciate a kill more if they feel they have 

 accomphshed it by their own unaided efforts, and they 

 always hunt better if they have found the fox. The first 

 fox away is usually the best, and it is advisable to get 

 away with him, but when hounds have settled to one 

 and are running him hard, it is usually a mistake to 

 stop them. Every fox has a different scent, and it is 

 desirable for success that a pack should acquire the 

 habit of sticking to the scent it first finds. 



The few hints in this article are known to most 

 huntsmen, but they may be useful to beginners. 



In conclusion, I should hke to add that those who 

 read the above will understand a huntsman's life is 

 not easy, and who, having enjoyed the benefit of his 

 labours, could show their gratitude by subscribing to 

 the Hunt Servants' Benevolent Society. 



