382 THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



together as much as you can in the short time that can 

 be allowed for it, before you cap them to the scent. It 

 generally insures a good finish from two obvious causes. 

 First, your hounds get fresh wind ; and, secondly, they 

 will have a better chance to carry a good head, which 

 generally insures blood, and blood well earned ; for the 

 fox is more likely to stand longer and go straighter for 

 not having been viewed by hounds when he broke. But 

 the most difficult point for a huntsman to decide upon 

 promptly is, when his pack divides, which lot is on the 

 hunted fox. If it happen in cover, his ear is his surest 

 guide, as the cry is louder and stronger on a fresh-found 

 fox than on one which has been for some time on foot. 

 If, when out of cover, your pack should divide on two 

 separate scents, you should get as near as you can to what 

 you imagine to be the chase, giving view-halloos every 

 yard you go, also sending a whipper-in to stop the other 

 hounds. Your choice will doubtless be directed by several 

 circumstances. You will first look for your truest and 

 best line-hunting hounds, and next, to the points your first 

 fox would be likely to make for ; and if your choice fall 

 upon the lot that are going up the wind, the other will be 

 more likely to hear them running, and, should they come 

 to a check, to join cry again, perhaps before a whipper-in 

 can get to stop them. 



" Do not be dispirited at a succession of bad sport, for 

 it is not within your control, good hounds and good sport 

 not being, as has been before observed, naturally co-existing 

 circumstances. Be as zealous as you please in the field, 

 but temper your zeal with judgment, and do not weary 

 your hounds by long draws on days which bid defiance 

 to sport. It was once justly observed, that those who seek 

 for pleasure from the chase must ask permission of Heaven, 

 and the case still remains the same. Hounds may be im- 

 proved in their form and physical powers, but they cannot 

 hunt without scent, and without it they resemble a man 

 trying to run fast in the dark ; neither can they make 

 head against such fearful obstructions ; and, on stormy 

 days, with a very high wind, you had better go home 

 after the first failure. It is not generally known what 

 mischief even one such unpropitious day does to some 

 hounds. Do not set too high a value on blood, unless it 

 has been well earned by your hounds ; it is the result of 

 want of reflection alone, that has set any value whatever 



