ii6 THE FOX 



one so changed that the hounds are unwilling to 

 hunt it. But there are other cases in which the 

 scent ceases quite suddenly, and it is very evident 

 that fear diminishes the secretions to the great ad- 

 vantage of the fox. 



Instances of this are familiar to every hunting man. 

 Suppose, for example, a fox is coursed by a stray cur 

 an incident only too common in the grass countries 

 it is generally found that scent fails wholly or in 

 part, and the pack no longer run with their former 

 dash and confidence and sometimes cannot hunt 

 at all. It would be interesting to know how many 

 foxes' lives are saved by shepherds' dogs, in the 

 course of a season. The total would certainly be 

 large. In the same way when a fox springs up in 

 view and hounds course him for a couple of fields 

 they find it difficult to hunt him afterwards. For this 

 reason, too, 1 think it is that the life of the fox is so 

 often saved when a tired fox is viewed after a long 

 run. Huntsmen are often led away to shout by the 

 excitement of the moment. Hounds catch a view, 

 then the fox runs to a hedgerow and all trace vanishes. 

 On the other hand, when a nearly beaten fox is before 

 hounds the quietest man will be more likely to kill him. 

 Of course, with an absolutely beaten fox it does not 

 matter so much, though it is more satisfactory that the 



