I40 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



I missed both, and was a hundred pound poorer man 

 on Saturday night." 



We have, however, been rather off the line, and to 

 return to the beginner, there are certain little things as 

 regards his conduct to his neighbours in the field which 

 maybe pointed out, though a careful man is unlikely to 

 ignore such small matters as we have in mind. It may 

 be pointed out, then, that except when galloping in the 

 open, and in the course of a run, it is not polite to pass 

 any one at a fast pace, more especially when travelling 

 up or down a muddy lane, or along the "ride" of a 

 covert. If the ride is narrow single file is always 

 observed, and this applies when hounds are running 

 as well as when they are drawing. If in the former 

 case the beginner is impeded by some slow coach 

 immediately in front he may ask that individual to push 

 on a little, or to make way, but it is not good form to 

 shove past — unless the ride is a very wide one with 

 plenty of room for two or three horses abreast. 



And whenever the shout of "Hounds, please" or 

 " Huntsman, please " is heard the beginner should look 

 about him, and if he is likely to be in the way should 

 quickly step aside. It is often possible to move 

 amongst the trees of a covert for the moment when 

 hounds are being taken past, and if this is impracticable 

 because of a ditch the rider should move his horse as 

 near the ditch as possible, and stand there until hounds 

 have passed. When hounds are running — we assume 

 that the beginner has mastered the art of riding across 

 country — he should be extremely careful not to cross 

 any one who is riding at a fence, and when he himself 

 comes to the fence he should look round on either side, 

 to see that he is not likely to come into collision 

 with any of his neighbours. He should, too, where it 



