SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 313 



the scent. Quickly, however, they turn to the 

 right and left ; but old Bounty hits it off almost at 

 right angles from the drive up which the fox had 

 been running. 



With a cheer from Will Headman they are at him 

 again, yet not all together. The foremost couples, 

 in scoring back to the cry of the veterans, crossed 

 the line of a fresh fox, and away they went with him 

 in an opposite direction, throwing their tongues 

 right merrily. An anxious expression might have 

 been seen to dwell for a few moments on the features 

 of Headman. 



^^ Changed at last," he muttered; "but no great 

 misfortune. It might have been worse. I have 

 still a handful of the right sort upon the right line, 

 any two couples of which will stick to him, and taste 

 him too, if above ground. Now, Jem, we shall see 

 if you have taken his right measure." 



Toot, toot, toot ! went the horn. " Have at him 

 again my darlings ; " cried AYill Headman with the 

 veterans, cheering them on to victory, and crashing 

 through the underwood as if he had been riding 

 over a stubble field. At the furthest corner of the 

 covert sat Jem, motionless as a statue, under a large 

 whitethorn bush, patiently abiding his time. A 

 fresh fox sprang out from the wood hedge, about a 

 hundred yards below him. 



" Ah ! well," he said, " you arn't the animal I 

 wants just now, although a very nice un to look at ; 

 but you^ll do for another day;" and jumping the 

 fence into the field below, he met Foreman, the 

 leader of the levanters, with such a thundering 



