262 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



good will as the latter entertained for the foxes, although 

 apparently, they were all on the best terms. Jim knew 

 their tricks, and was a match for them ; they never knew 

 when or where they might find him. He would visit 

 their coverts at all hours of the day or night. Leaving 

 his horse at some neighbouring farm-house, he used to 

 proceed on foot to the covert of any suspected fox-killer, 

 when he thought the man would be absent, examine the 

 earths to see if any traps had been set, and search the 

 runs as well. Sometimes the keeper would meet with 

 him when so occupied. " Well, Mr. Jim, you seem very 

 fond of paying my woods a visit." " Only look in 

 occasionally to see how the foxes fare ; that's my busi- 

 ness you know, Mr. Keeper, and master is very particular 

 in having my reports. He knows every litter of cubs 

 in the country, and that ain't so many that he can afford 

 to lose one." 



In the very difficult country I had to manage, Jim was 

 to me an invaluable servant ; his master's interests and 

 his own were identified, and I did my part also to make 

 him feel perfectly at home in his place. Upon hunting 

 days he always had his dinner in the house, and generally 

 made his appearance in my dining room afterwards, as 

 there were a few little matters to discuss, to which a glass 

 or two of wine was no disagreeable addition. To show 

 the zeal of the man, I will only relate one instance, for 

 the imitation of whippers-in generally. We had run a 

 fox to ground, after a very severe chase of nearly two 

 hours' duration, in an old gravel pit, on the grounds of a 

 gentleman, who was always most friendly to our sport, 

 and who although no fox -hunter himself, had gone so far 

 as to tell me that he would discharge at a moment's 



