1'16 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



He is almost certain to make good his first intention — 

 he heads back, — the cream of the thing is curdled — 

 hounds lose their first advantage ; they turn, probably, 

 from a burning scent up wind, to a moderate one down 

 wind,— the fox multiplies his start tenfold, and a good 

 run is spoiled. Any man who has ever hunted more 

 than twice, must know that nothing will sooner head a 

 fox than a halloo. The veriest tyro must have heard of, 

 if he have not witnessed, the effect of a tally-ho as soon 

 as a fox puts his nose out of covert ; and, with all due 

 allowance for exuberance of delight, he has no business 

 out hunting if he have not learned to view tlie animal in 

 respectful silence till he is quite clean "gone away." 

 A view halloo given then, to the full extent of the 

 utmost capabihty of lungs, can do no harm, but will be 

 thankfully acknowledged by the huntsman. If hounds 

 should be running, and settled to another fox, they will 

 not be disturbed by it ; if they are not, the sooner the 

 huntsman is aware that one (and probably the good 

 one) is gone, the better. A clear, good, musical view 

 halloo, either in or out of covert, is one of the most 

 inspiring accompaniments of the chase ; and, as a sequel 

 to the cheering encouragement given to the hounds by 

 the huntsman, in a tone of voice harmonizing with the 

 floating melody which has arisen from the breath of the 

 first challenge which proclaimed a find, it creates a 



