FEIvL HUNTING 



amongst the rocks commanding a good view and 

 await events. If you carry field glasses you can 

 watch everything that goes on below you, and if 

 hounds find you are more than likely to get a 

 good view of the fox. Then when the pack 

 comes in sight running hard you can follow on 

 and being already close to the fell top, you have 

 a good start and should be able to keep in touch. 

 Should the fox pass close by you keep quiet and 

 don't move, for if hounds are on his line, and you 

 jump up and halloa, you are sure to turn him and 

 cause a check when the pack reaches the spot. 

 Even on an occasion when a halloa at the right 

 moment may do good, always let the fox get well 

 past you first. 



On most occasions it pays to chmb out to the 

 tops, because once up there you can generally 

 command several dales without travelling very 

 far. Sometimes the people who elect to stay 

 below see more sport than those above, though 

 as a rule the reverse is the case. There are 

 places, however, where a main road runs along 

 the foot of the fell from which one can often 

 view practically the whole of the run. Such a 

 place is the Thirlmere Valley, where a road 

 borders both sides of the lake. An occasional 

 day only, with a fell pack, is apt to prove rather 

 hard work, for unless one is in something like 

 " fettle " hill climbing soon tells a tale. If you 

 hunt fairly regularly you soon get into trim, 

 and the rough going presents no difficulties pro- 

 vided you are suitably shod. Boots should be 

 stout and well nailed to prevent slipping, while 

 the clothing should be fairly thick and warm, 

 in order to resist the exigencies of the weather. 

 As one never quite knows how long the day is 

 going to be it pays to carry a substantial lunch, 



185 



