CHAPTER VI 



f ""^HE cubbing season proved an excellent 

 apprenticeship, enabling me to become 

 J[ familiar with the country and to bring the 



hounds to hand in workmanlike fashion. 

 This last I found a labour of love, for I have always 

 flattered myself that a mutual understanding exists 

 between the canine race and myself. I was assiduous 

 in my attention to kennel work, and soon became on 

 most affectionate terms with its inmates ; so that when 

 the regular season opened I was able to make a very 

 decent showing, as amateur huntsmen go ; though 

 there were not wanting those who, possessing voices 

 out of all proportion to their knowledge and experience, 

 voted me slow, and put down the alleged fault to the 

 influence of my hare-hunting amenities. But I took no 

 heed and " ganged my gait " gaily enough. My game 

 was, and always has been, to hunt my quarry, be it fox 

 or hare, fairly and squarely, and not to lift my hounds, 

 simply for the purpose of affording my followers a 

 spurious race over the country. 



About this time, the time-honoured Curraghmore 



pack, hunted by the late Lord Waterford, came under 



76 



