78 CHASING AND RACING 



were the most suitable to the great, straggHng woodlands 

 of the West. They were steadier and would be always 

 nosing forward without faltering ; whereas the little 

 bitches were more flashy, and unless they had a very 

 strong and straight line, would appear to be all at sea, 

 and would hang about, waiting for me to take them in 

 hand or to a view halloa in the open. On the other 

 hand, get them away on fair terms with their fox, over 

 a nice piece of grass, or scent-holding ploughed land, 

 and it was a case of " catch 'em if you can ! '* They 

 were brilliant in the extreme, and if in difficulties, 

 Wedlock, Speedy, Beauty, Blossom, Rhoda, or 

 other of the ** stars '* would soon put the rest 

 right. 



The mixed pack, with the interchangeable hounds 

 of both sexes, were for general utility. For instance, 

 whenever I drew " Dear old Bricket " — some called 

 this Wilderness of Wonder by a less affectionate 

 adjective, also beginning with D — this was the lot 

 drawn. This same Bricket Wood is a haunting 

 obsession, at once a Mecca and a Hades. It is of great 

 extent, and acres of it are quite impenetrable for a 

 horse. One thing in its favour was the fact that a fox 

 could always be found there, but when set on foot, the 

 question as to whether he would be driven out was 

 highly problematical. Moreover, these local " red 

 skins " were given to indulging in a game, evidently 

 diverting to themselves, but apt to make any huntsman 

 feel utterly fed up and weary of life. The joke 



