8o HOUND AND HORN 



with ice-cold water, and to boldly attack his unseen 

 foe ; a foe his equal in weight, possibly superior 

 in power of punishment, equally savage, and most 

 probably occupying a better position for repelling 

 attack than he does. Ton my word, it's equal to 

 a man stalking a wounded tiger on foot ! How's he 

 bred ? And which do you consider the best kind 

 of breed ? " 



" Jock came from a Yorkshire Hunt kennel, and 

 is three parts smooth fox and one part bull terrier. 

 I don't think the breed matters much, so long as 

 the game is there. I like the first cross between 

 the rough and smooth fox, and a medium size and 

 weight. Coat is all-important ; the smooth coats 

 are too thin, and the all rough when thoroughly 

 wetted through don't dry. This cross often pro- 

 duces a thick close coat like a doormat, which is 

 the best of all. And you must have them a little 

 on the leg, not only for running, but to keep them 

 off the slush and wet ; length of leg don't matter so 

 long as they are not too thick round the heart." 



" How long has he been below ground at a 

 stretch ? " 



'^ Once, at Timpendean Castle breeding earth, he 

 got in on Saturday afternoon, and we dug him out 

 on Monday, forty-five hours later. He was fairly 

 wedged in like a wad in a cartridge case, and, 

 though a bit hoarse and feeble in his bark, quite 

 comfortable and unpunished. He was lying on his 

 side, his fore-legs pushed back like a seal's flappers, 

 trying to push himself on with his hind-legs." 



" My word ! " was the commentary : ^* any more ? " 



*' Well, most of them have been in for about 



