HUNTING WITH FOOT-HARRIERS 253 



really " for it " and means going. I have known 

 enthusiasts during some particularly exciting moment 

 of a hare-hunt, when hounds are racing for blood and 

 the end is surely coming, who will jump at anything. 

 Nay, I have in mind a Master of foot-harriers, a fine 

 long-jumper, who, sooner than not be with his hounds, 

 will spring full-tilt into a river and get across somehow, 

 if it is too broad to compass at a leap. Still, it is not 

 all, even among the enthusiasts, who will proceed to 

 such extremities. After all there are such things as 

 chills, and one cannot take liberties with one's con- 

 stitution perpetually. 



As a maturer foot-hunter who, thanks to an athletic 

 youth, can still stay comfortably at a steady pace over 

 such a country, and still jump a Sussex marsh dyke 

 with most of the youngsters, I advise the foot-hunter, 

 unless he be a first-rate athlete in fine running trim, 

 always to bear in mind some lines of Somervile. 

 They contain most excellent advice, written of hounds, 

 yet singularly applicable to the human hunter, who 

 may be desirous to see the end of a really good run 

 in which he is taking part : — 



" Happy the man who with unrival'd speed 

 Can pass his fellows, and with pleasure view 

 The struggling pack ; how in the rapid course 

 Alternate they preside, and, jostling, push 

 To guide the dubious scent : how giddy youth, 

 Oft babbling, errs, by wiser age reprov'd ; 

 How, niggard of his strength, the wise old hound 

 Hangs in the rear, till some important point 

 Rouse all his diligence, or till the Chace 

 Sinking he finds ; then to the head he springs, 

 With thirst of glory fir'd, and wins the prize." 



Even to the best runner in the world these lines may 

 be useful. To the moderate performer and the veteran 



