BEASTS OF THE CHASE. THE FOX. 65 



given from the up-wind side, in the shape of a blast on the 

 horn, the crack of a whip, or the huntsman's cheer, seldom 

 fails to arouse him to timely wakefulness. 



If a regular old customer, who has more than once baffled 

 his keen pursuers, the tramp of the horse-hoofs heard from 

 afar will often suffice to put him on his legs, and 'cause him to 

 steal away before the smartest of whips can ' get round ' for 

 a view. Threading his invisible way as he well knows how 



' Stealing away. ' 



under bank or hedge, he leaves no sign or trace save the mys- 

 terious inexplicable clue which men call scent. 



And by no better name could it be called. The French, 

 from whom we have borrowed many of our terms of venery, 

 say la voie or la piste, expressions which to English ears, at 

 least, fail to convey the idea of the ' ravishing perfume ' * on 



1 Vide the adaptation of the Bloomer editress in Mr. Sponge's immortal 

 tour. 



