I04 HARE-HUNTING AND HARRIERS 



on " Hunt Servants," I deal at some length with the 

 duties of huntsman, but reference must necessarily 

 be made here and there in this chapter also as to the 

 methods of handling hounds when running. 



So soon as hounds run, it wiU be the duty of the 

 field — and the Master or huntsman wiU ensure that 

 this duty is performed — to see to it that the pack 

 shall have plenty of room to carry on their operations. 

 Hounds hate being pressed, and harriers, it may be 

 noted, are more nervous in this respect than are fox- 

 hounds. They are more timid, and more easily put 

 out, and, once their heads are up, they are more 

 difficult to get to their work again. The field should 

 ride wide of the line, and not directly in the wake 

 of the hounds, a custom which is by no means too 

 often observed, even among hunting folk who ought 

 to be considered experienced. In rough, and especially 

 in hilly country, hounds, when scent is good, can usually 

 take care of themselves, but in more level, open country, 

 especially where some of the field are inclined to ride 

 hard, it is another matter, and hounds are not always 

 allowed the law and the space that is necessary to 

 them. 



When a check comes, as is certain to be the case, it 

 is especially necessary that hounds should have plenty 

 of room ; and here, again, it is most important that 

 silence should be observed as much as possible. Loud 

 talking gets their heads up and disturbs them. A 

 good pack of harriers will spread out and cast eagerly 

 for themselves, and they should be allowed plenty 

 of time in the process. It is always to be remembered 

 that in hare-hunting there is not the violent necessity 

 for haste that there is in the pursuit of the fox. The 

 hare is always above ground, and, sooner or later, 

 you are bound to come up with her, while your fox 



