io8 HARE-HUNTING AND HARRIERS 



a hare runs into a covert of this sort, it is by no means 

 to be taken for granted that the first hare ejected by- 

 hounds, or even the second or third, is necessarily 

 the hunted one. The covert ought to be, and usually 

 is, carefully watched by a whip or some of the field, 

 who can tell the hunted hare when they see it. Only 

 a month or so ago I saw harriers run a hare into a 

 small withy bed, little more than a couple of acres 

 in extent. The hare slipped round the covert, and 

 actually entered it, as it were, on the very heels of 

 the pack, as they were making their circuit. Two 

 hares were one after the other pushed out, some foot- 

 people on a hill just above (up which each hare made 

 its way) meanwhile yelling and holloaing vociferously. 

 Both these hares were absolutely fresh and unstained. 

 The pack went out after the second one, and ran her 

 hard for several minutes. Luckily the Master, who 

 was also huntsman, and was in covert, was informed 

 that the hunted hare had not yet been ejected. He 

 went away quickly after hounds, and with some difficulty 

 got them off and brought them down again. Again 

 they plunged into the covert. This time the hunted 

 hare, which had been very cannily lying close, in 

 expectation, no doubt, that she would be overlooked, 

 was driven out and a first-rate run ensued. Hares, 

 as has already been pointed out, take freely to water, 

 and where the hare has been well pressed and the 

 scent leads to the bank of a stream or small river, 

 the assumption is that she has gone over. Before 

 crossing, a hare will often carefully foil her line so 

 as to confuse the puzzle yet more. I have watched 

 a hare come to the bank of a broad stream, sit up for 

 a second or two, with one ear cocked, and then, for 

 a minute or so, busy herself in weaving a perfect 

 labyrinth of foil, before crossing. She then ran down 



