22 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



The M.F.H. was deaf to all expostulations, and 

 when darkness approached he left one of the 

 whippers-in to remain until the task was finished, 

 directing him to obtain lanterns and have refresh- 

 ment brought for the diggers, who continued 

 working through the night. When at length 

 the end of the drain was reached, after digging 

 throughout two large fields, it was discovered 

 that the fox and hounds had never remained 

 in the drain at all, but had gone right through, 

 for the precaution had never been taken of 

 going to the further end, to see if there were 

 any indications of those imprisoned having 

 escaped from their confinement. The ludicrous 

 part of it was that, when the pack arrived at the 

 kennels, it was found that one of the missing 

 hounds had already arrived there an hour or two 

 previously, while the others turned up next day. 

 The serious part was that the owner of the estate 

 took great umbrage at such high-handed proceed- 

 ings, and it required a most humble apology to 

 prevent that estate also being closed against the 

 hunt. 



It is very obvious from the above narratives 

 that tact and thoughtfulness are most essential 

 qualities for every M.F.H. to possess. 



Between the interests of hunting men and 

 shooting men unfortunately discord arises at 

 times, frequently either through the incapacity 

 or animosity of a keeper, often the servant of 

 a syndicate who have hired the shooting, and 

 have otherwise no connection with, or interest 

 in, that part of the country. There are many 

 keepers to whom the very idea of a fox is much 

 the same as if it impersonated the Tempter of 

 Eve ! and having been brought up probably 



