THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 185 



reason to suppose that a burning scent has in a moment 

 changed to no scent whatever; although wonderful 

 changes do occur, in this essential, within very short 

 space of time : he must have turned so short, right or 

 left, that the whole body have completely overrun him. 

 This is more probable when they are carrying a perfect 

 head, than if, on a more moderate scent, some stragglers 

 had been dwelling independently on the line ; and 

 hounds, on such occasions, appear more at a nonplus — 

 more in consternation at their failure. The huntsman 

 may make a brisk swinging cast, down-wind, unless the 

 more likely points of country for a fox to make, present 

 an obvious reason for the reverse. If he casts quickly, 

 in a half circle forward, and completes the whole round, 

 it is a hundred to one against hounds crossing the 

 line without acknowledging it, if they are not too much 

 hurried ; presuming that there is not any road, or great 

 variety of ground, creating the difficulties to which we 

 have supposed them liable in the upper country, where 

 they might cross the hne a dozen times ineffectually. It 

 saves much time, where every moment is an object, if 

 the pack can be divided ; one half casting in a contrary 

 direction, with the master, or first whip, and meeting 

 the huntsman to the rear, if neither should have suc- 

 ceeded in hitting him forward : but always make the first 

 cast sufficiently forward ; there is plenty of time to hold 

 back, when it is certain that the fox has not held on, 



