66 Otters and Otter-Hunting. 



bockers of strong woollen serge, thick woollen hose, 

 and shoes or Highland brogues (which do not hold 

 water like boots) form the most workmanlike costume 

 for Otter-hunting. If not entitled to wear a hunt 

 uniform, the follower of Otter-hounds should equip 

 himself as above, having his knickerbockers made 

 of blue or white serge, and his jacket of serge or 

 flannel in some unmistakably mufti pattern and 

 colour. Cotton cords or tightly-cut riding or 

 knickerbocker breeches are not comfortable when 

 wet, and trousers are useless if one is to take any 

 real part in the sport. Plenty of eyelet holes 

 pierced in the lower part of the uppers of brogues 

 or shoes will let the water run out quickly. 



In some hunts special materials are manufactured 

 for the uniform, and it is well to get these. Thus 

 in Mr. Hastings Clay's Hunt the stuff used for cap, 

 coat, waistcoat, and knickerbockers is of special 

 colour and make : with the Culmstock the stuffs are 

 usually supplied by Messrs. Haddon, of Welling- 

 ton, Somerset : and Messrs. Tautz and other London 

 firms supply a special hard-wearing woollen serge 

 for the white breeches worn with Mr. Courtenay 

 Tracy's and some other packs. These only occasion- 

 ally require washing, as on returning from a hard 

 day, when perhaps the sportsman has been wading 

 up to his middle in muddy water, all that is neces- 

 sary is to throw them into a tub of spring water, 



