THE SEASON OP THE YEAR. 81 



decided one way or the other. So much for turning 

 foxes down in a gorse or outlying covert. When they 

 are turned down in a woodland, the chances of seeing 

 them again are increased, though even there they are 

 likely to make a home of some unsuspected and inac- 

 cessible rabbit-hole or drain, and live there unmolested, 

 until by some chance one of them is run to ground there 

 a thing that may not happen the whole season through. 

 In any cases foxes must survive a spring and its dissi- 

 pations before they are likely to be well acquainted with 

 the extent of country which is desirable for an animal to 

 know who has to provide a day's amusement for hundreds 

 of larger animals than himself, and, if possible, at the 

 expense of his own life. 



We have here reasons enough in all conscience why 

 good sport should be rare. With bad foxes, flashy 

 hounds, and wild huntsmen, what can be expected ? 

 And there are yet plenty of others. Want of savoir 

 faire on the part of the master is as telling as it is 

 common. A master of hounds requires to be possessed 

 of most of the qualities of a great general, with certain 

 additions, such as pleasant manners, which are not in- 

 dispensable to the wearer of the cocked hat. He must 

 arrange the plan of operations for each day where to 

 draw, where to go if the first covert be blank, where to 

 go for an afternoon fox, &c., instead of losing time 

 holding councils of war during the day, when time is of 

 value. And, on the other hand, he is so far absolute 

 that he can change the programme at a moment's notice, 

 if circumstances arise to make an alteration desirable. 

 He is accountable to no man for his actions in the field ; 

 but at the same time he should temper decision with 

 consideration. He should hunt his country fairly, taking 



a 



