64 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



ground when the line is hit off again. As a rule these 

 men are fearless riders, and when they are not held in 

 check will do a vast amount of harm in the course of a 

 season. All hunting men of any experience have met 

 them, and will have noticed their tactics, and those 

 who have hunted in several different countries will 

 be aware that whereas one master is easily able to 

 hold these insubordinates in check, his neighbour is 

 often at their mercy, and allows his sport to be, in 

 a great measure, spoilt by men who are constantly 

 offending, and who must be perfectly aware of their 

 offence. 



It comes to this, then, that a man who is lacking in 

 moral courage is hardly fit to be a master of hounds. 

 The best sportsman in the world, the finest rider to 

 hounds, the most popular fellow in the country, the 

 man with the greatest knowledge of hunting; everyone 

 of these is out of place as master if he is not prepared to 

 pull up an offender the moment he sees anything wrong. 

 As we have already said he need not swear at the cul- 

 prit, but he must have a certain command of language, 

 and the power of showing that he will be obeyed. If a 

 master is new to office and finds his field unruly his 

 position is not a pleasant one. Naturally he does not 

 care to begin his mastership by finding fault with his 

 field, and therefore he has to work gradually before he 

 attains the end he has in view. It will not take him long 

 to find out who are the offenders, and when he is 

 thoroughly sure of his men he can begin by remonstra- 

 ting with them quietly, and if this does not bring about 

 an improved state of affairs he can then find fault in the 

 presence and hearing of the field. If this or some 

 similar line of conduct is pursued it is quite certain that 

 the master's action will be appreciated and approved, 



