188 THE NOBLE SCIENCE. 



run ; probably, under totally different circumstances. 

 It is laying a flattering unction to one's soul to account 

 for a fox in any way, but that of being beaten by him, 

 and we readily snatch at the idea of having done the 

 next thing to killing; but a huntsman must not only 

 avoid deception towards others, he must guard against 

 deceiving himself I knew an instance last year, where 

 the master and huntsman were at issue, as to the fact of 

 a fox having gone to ground. The former, with not 

 more than six couples, recovered and killed him, some 

 way beyond the spot where the latter, with the majority 

 of the field, w^ere pottering at a rabbit hole ; — the mas- 

 ter, of course, having waived absolute opinion on the 

 subject, leaving the huntsman to his discretion ; indulg- 

 ing, at the same time, the exercise of his own. If, by 

 the evidence of a terrier, in addition to that of the 

 hounds, there is no doubt of having run to ground, and 

 you have decided upon digging, the sooner operations 

 are commenced the better ; if you want blood, your 

 hounds are entitled to him. If you think the earth too 

 strong, it is best to move off at once, as recommended 

 by Mr. Smith, leaving some one in pay to watch him ovit; 

 as is, I believe, invariably the custom. When he has 

 been viewed safely out, it is desirable to do away, if pos- 

 sible, with such a retreat: foxes seldom betake them- 

 selves to one with which they were previously unac- 

 quainted. It is astonisliing how exactlv generations 



