THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 71 



too good, and we got away with him on such 

 terms that nothing but reaching a strong 

 earth, or changing to a fresh fox, can save 

 him." 



* * We must try to keep to our hunted one, ' ' 

 said I, thinking it was exhibiting some 

 wisdom. 



* ' Try ! ' ' repeated my friend ; " of course 

 we shall try. We always do; but it's some- 

 times impossible to distinguish the difference 

 between the scent of our hunted fox and a 

 fresh one. It's easy enough, when a fox is 

 viewed, to know, because it can be seen 

 whether he's been shoved along at the expense 

 of his bellows and toilet; but our noses can't 

 be depe'nded upon." 



As Trimbush said, upon gaining the brake 

 we found the fox hanging in it ; and, although 

 very hot, we gave him such a towelling, that, 

 so far from improving his condition, he had 

 better have taken to his pads and faced the 

 open. I saw him a dozen times in cover, and 

 his red rag hung from his open jaws, and his 

 brush dragged along the ground. We pressed 

 him up and down across the rides at a killing 

 pace, and although there was no bullying by 

 holding him in cover, and every opportunity 



