172 SYSTEM OF KENNEL AND 



ing, and never throw away a chance by coffee- 

 housing under tlie wood-hedge after the first hound 

 has thrown his tongue. This is the signal for him 

 to be on the alert, with eyes and ears open to all 

 that is now passing around him. He is not in a 

 hurry or flurry, galloping up and down the drives, 

 or larking over fences outside the covert ; but 

 creeping quietly about, shifting his position as the 

 fox shifts his ground, and generally pretty sure of 

 viewing him over the drive or across the first field 

 from covert ; when, and not before, his voice will 

 be heard to some purpose. Neither is he in a 

 hurry now that the pack are clear of the wood- 

 hedge, and settling down on the scent ; there is no 

 restless impatience in his manner to be off" and 

 over them. He can afibrd to wait until they are 

 fairly committed to the run ; and then, keeping 

 wide of them, right or left, according to the wind, 

 and not alongside of the leading couples, which he 

 knows is not his place, if it is that of the hunts- 

 man, but with his eye fixed upon them, so that 

 he may pull up at the first check. He will know 

 how far the hounds have carried the scent, and 

 when, in the eagerness of the burst, they have 

 overshot it, and turn his horse's head in the 

 direction they incline to ; in short, he is a thorough 

 sportsman, one of that character to whom master 

 and huntsman may look for assistance and support 

 in difficulties. 



As to a seat on horseback, there are quot homines, 

 tot sententice ; some prefer the military seat, others 

 ride by balance ; some by purchase, or clinging 



