ANECDOTES OF FOXES 63 



hounds again visited the stubble rick ; but although the 

 fox was not there at the time, there was evidence of his 

 having been very recently, from the fresh print of his 

 pads and other conclusive proof in which sportsmen 

 could not be mistaken. 



This may serve as an explanation why it frequently 

 happens that hounds draw a great extent of country 

 without being able to find, when weather or some 

 particular cause induces the foxes to abandon for a 

 time their usual places of resort. 



I remember on the 19th of November 1844 Earl Fitz- 

 hardinge's hounds met at Hazleton Grove, when they 

 drew the Brake, always considered a sure find, blank ; 

 but they found in the Grove, and went away at a 

 great pace, leaving Puzedown on the left, to a spinny, 

 where they doubled up their fox in double quick time. 

 In consequence of the coldness of the season and late- 

 ness of the harvest there was a field of barley standing, 

 in w^hich it was stated a fox had frequently been seen — 

 no doubt one which belonged to the brake previously 

 mentioned as having been drawn blank. On the 

 approach of the hounds he was instantly on foot ; was 

 viewed crossing the wall, and went away over Puze- 

 down, when he turned to the left and across the 

 Cheltenham road, as if making a point for Compton or 

 Star Wood ; but he again bore to the left and recrossed 

 the road by Puzedown Inn. Up to this point the pace 

 was first rate ; but as the hounds were now running 

 down wind the scent diminished, and they came to a 

 check. Nevertheless they hunted him to the New 

 Gorse, where an unfortunate halloo to a fresh fox 

 destroyed the chance there was, with but an indifferent 

 scent, of killing him. 



Another occurrence of a similar nature took place on 

 the 23rd of November 1848 with the H. H., which were 

 then hunted by Lord Gifford. They met at Ellisfield 

 and found their first fox in Hal Wood, which they lost 

 near Herriard. His lordship was informed that a fox 

 had been seen constantly in a field of turnips on Hatch 



