FOX-HUNTING 175 



men or horsemen. What is wanted is the 

 combination, the man who can get any- 

 where with his hounds, who can infect the 

 pack with his fire and dash while holding 

 them in hand, who can throw their heads 

 down or lift them, who never leaves them 

 there at the critical check to mark the place 

 where they had it last, and who, whilst 

 rejoicing in the race for blood, can, when 

 scent is catching and fallows are cold, keep 

 himself in hand and enjoy the slow and 

 patient unravelling of the puzzle. Swift and 

 sure when he has the chance, slow but sure 

 when needs must. A pack takes its cue 

 from the huntsman, provided always he has a 

 knowledge of his craft, for a pack will never 

 heed a fool. A fast huntsman will make a 

 fast pack ; a pack handled by a dashing hunts- 



