96 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



very little chance of working the line out, decided to 



go to " and then comes the name of some covert. 



At times certain writers have spoken out strongly, but 

 there has always been a feeling that the over-riding 

 in any particular hunt is a matter to be settled between 

 the master and his field, and that outside interference 

 is not required. 



With this feeling we are greatly in accord, but we 

 are writing of hunting generally, and with no par- 

 ticular country in our mind, and thus we realise that 

 we are at full liberty to point out what a baneful thing 

 this spoiling of sport is, when it is merely the outcome 

 of jealousy or the result of a desire to show off. And 

 if over-riders could only be brought to realise the true 

 state of affairs, they would know that the men who 

 gradually earn great reputations as fine riders to 

 hounds are men who never offend the master and spoil 

 the sport by riding too far forward. They would be 

 aware that the quiet rider, who takes his own line, 

 often wide of hounds, and always far enough away to 

 be in no danger of doing harm, is the man who sur- 

 vives in all the long runs, who really sees most of the 

 sport, and who is often in a position to give important 

 knowledge to the huntsman at a check. They would 

 also know that all their efforts in the over-riding line 

 were noticed and loudly commented on by members 

 of the field, and lastly they would know that so far 

 from being thought heroes because they were often 

 first over a big fence, they were in reality looked upon 

 as unmitigated nuisances, whose presence was little 

 desired by any of the self-respecting members of the 

 hunt. 



Another nuisance which the master has to contend 

 with is the man who habitually creeps forward when 



