40 FOX-HUNTING FROM SHIRE TO SHIRE 



deep ravines all over the hunt, which are a 

 much simpler affair for hounds than they are for 

 horses. Hounds can go straight through on the 

 line of a fox, but the field must go in single file, 

 over crossings that are steep and difficult at any 

 time, especially so in the middle of the season 

 when they become ' poached ' and holding. On 

 the moors and thereabouts, bogs are not un- 

 known. 



" As for the sport, it is on the whole, very good, 

 although not Leicestershire to ride over, a fine wild 

 country, in which the foxes are remarkably strong. 

 Points of seven and eight miles are not uncommon, 

 and at times hounds penetrate deeply into the 

 neighbouring hunt — a particularly pleasing thing 

 to do. They certainly have a good working pack 

 of hounds, a good huntsman, and an enthusiastic 

 field, though many of its members can only come 

 out once a week, making the most of their single 

 day, seldom going home until darkness puts a 

 stopper on the sport. Once at the end of March, 

 hounds drew a covert at six o'clock, killed a fox 

 half a dozen miles away shortly before eight, and 

 did not reach home until the kennel clock was 

 striking ten. Only four were left at the end, 

 and these four were all engaged to dine at the 

 great house in the district. Their absence at a 

 particularly important function is still talked 

 about ! " 



The summary of sport seen with the Braes of 

 Derwent, during 1910-11, is as follows :— 



The season lasted from September 17 to April 15, 

 hounds were out on sixty-nine days, stopped on 

 three, and had no blank days. The number of foxes 

 killed was rather above the average, and seventeen 

 brace were marked to ground, the supply being 



