Riding to Covert 321 



others who follow her supposed leadership, to the Maple 

 Grove covert ; then, like a fox, he turns short back to the 

 Benson wood, and draws the covert as originally planned. 

 Master and huntsman exchange knowing smiles as they 

 meet again. 



A little before the Benson wood is reached, the hunts- 

 man nods to the first whipper-in, who by a circuitous 

 route rushes off to take up his position on the side of the 

 covert opposite that on which it is to be drawn. His duty 

 there, as we have already shown, is to view the fox away. 



At this point we can easily imagine the novice, who has 

 doubtless heard a deal of talk among riding men about 

 taking up the best position at the covert-side, asking where 

 he had better station himself. We have already shown 

 that foxes seek their food at night and sleep during the day. 

 They usually kennel early in the morning, selecting the 

 south or sunny exposure of the covert. But, since circum- 

 stances alter cases, should there be a breeze stirring at the 

 time, they are likely to lie up for the day on the windward 

 side, especially if they have reason to suspect danger from 

 that direction. Their personal comfort, in other words, 

 gives way to personal safety. Again, they may ignore both 

 wind and comfort, and kennel on the side of the covert 

 which is toward a farm-house where a dog is owned. 

 Foxes must do their own picket duty, and seem to manage 

 things so they may do this as much as possible while they 

 sleep, relying more on their wits and cunning to get them 

 out of harm's way, when they are warned of it, than on seek- 

 ing some secure and secluded spot in the heart of a forest. 

 If there is reason to believe a fox is to be found on the 



