44 THE HUNTING FIELD 



hounds than others, both on the road and in the 

 field. It is doubtless advisable always to keep 

 hounds clear of horses; but as there is generally 

 some gentleman who will "talk to the man at the 

 wheel," and as no one likes to be last, even on 

 the road, the consequence is the field will crowd to 

 the head. Some Huntsmen have their hounds all 

 huddled round their horse's heels, others will give 

 them as much line as a regiment of guards, but 

 perhaps the best course is to keep them together in a 

 crowd, and give them room when alone. 



We are not, however, going to set up to teach 

 Huntsmen their business, fearing we might get the 

 rebuke Naylor, the York and Ainsty Huntsman, 

 administered to Nimrod, when he said "he had 

 forgotten more than Nimrod ever knew ; " but there 

 are a few observations of Mr. Smith, himself a 

 gentleman-huntsman of no small celebrity, that may 

 be administered like a cordial ball without ruffling 

 the coat. Here is one. "There is nothing more 

 disheartening to a field of sportsmen than for a 

 Huntsman, or Master of Hounds, to trifle with them 

 by pretending to draw for a fox, when it is evident 

 they do not intend to let the hounds find one if they 

 can help it, by taking them through the parts of a 

 cover quickly where there is no laying, although 

 there is good on the other side, which they avoid, 

 and it would be a certain find if they would let 

 the hounds draw it; or probably missing other sure 

 places, and drawing unlikely ones, until their time is 

 spun out that they may go home." 



Of course there are days — windy ones, for instance 

 — or days when few sportsmen are out, on which it is 

 desirable to shut up as soon as possible; but in 

 these cases it is always well to give the "regulars" 

 the hint, by doing which Huntsmen will not only 

 save censure, but the retirement of the forces will 

 materially aid their retreat with the hounds. There 



