166 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



as to the huntsman ; they fly to a note never heard but 

 for especial purposes ; one by which they never were de- 

 ceived or disappointed. The second whipper-in and 

 huntsman cheer them on to the edge of the covert, with, 

 "forward, hark! forward, hark! forward, away, away!" (I 

 cannot attempt to decipher the intonation of different 

 huntsmen, for to me there is nothing so unintelligible or 

 difficult of construction as bad English, whether in 

 phrases or whole sentences) ; but there is no useless 

 repetition of view halloos without ; both whipper-in 

 and master saw him break at the same instant ; in 

 neither did a muscle move till he had almost cleared the 

 field between his home and the lane which he has 

 crossed beyond : then, hearing the echoing thunder of 

 his enemies, as quickly as follows the peal upon the 

 lightning's flash, a sign of intelligence passes between 

 them, after one flourish of the horn, as much as to say, 

 ** that will do, they cannot be coming better or quicker after 

 him."* And now, indeed, they come ; what a phalanx 

 of spangled beauty ! with a simultaneous rush they top 

 the fence, pour, like an avalanche, upon the plain, and 

 settle to the scent. They are away ! — 



* I have commended silence upon such an occasion, but not as an invariable 

 rule. If hounds had been heard to dwell upon a doubtful scent, or turn, the 

 whipper-in would have been instantly back in covert to carry them on ; but 

 when they are coming on as well as they can, it is notoriously best to check 

 impatience; leave them alone — do not get their heads up; they will bring it out 

 take it up, and carry it with tliem, twice as well, and quicker, by themselves. 



