148 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



looking forward, I saw a fox curled up fast asleep under a low 

 stunted fir tree, and the hounds nearly all round him. Although 

 going down the wind, he had not heard our a])proach, and for- 

 tunately the hounds had not winded him in his kennel. Callmg 

 them immediately to one side, as if to leave the place, I turned 

 short round, and gave the fox a cut with my whip before he 

 jumped up. The hounds, however, soon caught sight of him, 

 and a proper race we had for about fifteen minutes before he 

 was pulled down, on the open downs, without a fence. There 

 were some severe falls in this short space of time, for it requires 

 as good a hand and as good nerves to ride well over open dowub, 

 as it does to cross a vale country. Some of our hard riding vale 

 gentlemen got to themselves astonishing falls, without knowing 

 why or wherefore. The fact was, they had pumped the wind 

 out of their horses at starting, and then meeting with a few old 

 cart tracks across the down, barely visible before they could 



fmll up, the consequences might be easily anticipated, particu- 

 arly with horses not accustomed to such crossings. 



CHAPTER XXTV. 



Draw where you are most likely to find a fox — Morning best time for scent — 

 Fair X'^'^y to a fox, contrary to Beckford's opinion — No hallooing and 

 whooping on first finding — Most likely places to find foxes early in the 

 season — Hounds spreading wide — Upon drawing coverts and the places 

 and business of whippers-in— Famous hound from Sir T. Mostyn's 

 kennel — Mr. T. Pahner and " Drops of Brandy" — Dinner at his house — 

 Deputy — Old favourites never neglected — Anecdotes of " Old Pilgrim." 



The first business in fox-hunting is, as an old and stanch 

 friend to this sport once expressed to me, to draw at once those 

 places where you are most likely to find a fox. The day often 

 turns off unexpectedly, and, generally speaking, the morning is 

 the best time for scent. The hounds are also fresh, and a good 

 hard running fox is much more easily disposed of satisfactorily 

 before two o'clock than after that hour. I have no objection to 

 give every fox a fair chance for his life at starting; no mobbing 

 and hustling as soon as he is upon his legs ; but let him be 

 fairly found, and go fairly away, and then, my masters, cratch 

 him if you can. Bcckford, perhaps, might call me a fool for 

 giving any fair play at all ; but it is the only way to ensure good 

 sport, and make good hounds. If, when a fox is first found, 



