RIDING TO HOUNDS 5 



ular attention to cross-roads, and note the 

 directions on road signs. Study the fen- 

 cing on both sides of the highway — its 

 character and the best points at which to 

 negotiate it, if necessary. You may cross 

 the same road at full gallop an hour later 

 when you will have little time to examine 

 banks and ditches. Do not crowd the 

 hounds or huntsmen, nor insist on follow- 

 ing immediately behind them. You can 

 easily make up this distance when hounds 

 take off. 



When the hounds are off, devote your 

 whole attention to the business in hand. Full Cry 

 and use your brains. At all times look 

 ahead as far as possible, sizing up the 

 country, trying to foresee the direction 

 the fox will take, and endeavoring to 

 select independently of others, the best 

 and easiest line to follow. When the 

 hounds are not in sight, you can often tell 

 the direction they have taken by the ac- 

 tions of sheep or cattle at pasture, or by 

 that of crows circling in the air. A fox 

 prefers to run down wind. 



