THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



to the scent. It generally insures a good finisli fioni two 

 obvious causes. First, your hounds get fresli wind ; and, 

 secondly, they will liave a better chance to carry a good head, 

 which generally insures blood, and blood well earned ; for the 

 fox is more likely to stand longer and go straighter for not 

 having been viewed by hounds when he broke. But the most 

 difficult point for a huntsman to decide up(m promptly is, 

 when his pack divides, which lot is on the hunted fox. If it 

 happen in cover, his ear is his surest guide, as the cry is 

 louder and stronger on a fresh-found fox than on one which 

 has been for some time on foot. If, when out of cover, your 

 pack should divide on two separate scents, you should get as 

 near as you can to what you imagine to be the chase, giving 

 view-halloos every yard you go, also sending a whipper-in to 

 stop the other hounds. Your choice will doubtless be directed 

 by several circumstances. You will first look for your truest 

 and best line-hunting hounds, and next, to the points your 

 first fox would be likely to make for ; and if your choice fall 

 upon the lot that are going up the wind, the other will be 

 more likely to hear them running, and, should they come to a 

 check, to join cry again, perhaps before a whipper-in can get to 

 stop them. 



' Do not be dispirited at a succession of bad sport, for it 

 is not within your control, good hounds and good sport not 

 being, as has been before observed, naturally co-existing cir- 

 cumstances. Be as zealous as you please in the field, but 

 temper your zeal with judgment, and do not weary your 

 hounds by long draws on days which bid defiance to sport. 

 It was once justly observed, that those who seek for pleasure 

 from the chase must ask permission of Heaven, and the case 

 still remains the same. Hounds may be improved in their 

 form and physical powers, but they cannot hunt without scent, 

 and without it they resemble a man trying to run fast in 

 the dark ; neither can they make head against such fearful 

 obstructions ; and, on stormy days, with a very high wind, 

 you had better go home after the first failure. It is not 

 generally known what mischief even one such unpropitious 

 day does to some hounds. Do not set too high a value on 

 blood, unless it has been well earned by your hounds; it is 

 the result of want of reflection alone, that has set any value 

 whatever upon it, when otherwise obtained. Kill a good fox 



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