The Bedale Hounds, 1832-1908 93 



Barney Spence, a great character, and still 

 alive, was promoted from second to first 

 whipper-in. 



In the early part of Mr. Booth's Master- 

 ship, when foxes were rather scarce, a bob- 

 tailed one, from the Scotton neighbourhood, 

 saved him seven blank days. He always 

 went the same line, and got to ground in 

 about fifteen minutes ; but Mr. Booth would 

 not allow his sanctuary to be stopped, as 

 under the existing circumstances he thought 

 the reverse of the proverb '' A bird in the 

 hand is worth two in the bush,'' was best ; 

 and that one fox in front of hounds was 

 worth two in their mouths. Matters however 

 mended considerably, and as has been written 

 he was able to kill twenty-eight and a half 

 brace during his last season, and was instru- 

 mental in getting many new whin coverts laid 

 down during the eleven years he was Master 

 of the Hounds. 



He often makes a note in his hunting diary 

 that after a run fox had been chased, or even 

 turned by a cur dog, hounds could hardly ever 

 carry any head. This is a well-known fact to all 

 huntsmen, but I fancy the reason is a ' ' sealed 

 book ' ' to them and many others. Can it 

 be a change of scent ? Or is it that the 

 huntsman sees or hears that his fox has been 

 so treated, lifts his hounds and thus upsets 

 them ? 



At the end of this season Mr. Booth an- 

 nounced his intention of giving up the 

 hounds, and very much regret was felt at 



