HORSES AND HOUNDS. 183 



CHAPTEK XXIX. 



Of hounds that run wide — Hunning the foil — A month's hunting in another 

 country — Eun after, and death of a fox that had baffled the huntsman 

 three years — The author treated to the worst fixtures — Death of a second 

 okl fox — Ahvays attended to my hounds' dinner before my own — A 

 sporting divine — Various remarks and anecdotes — Pursuit of a fox 

 running with a rabbit in his mouth. 



When hounds run over the open or in covert, they should 

 carry a good head — that is, spread wide, and not tail (as the 

 hunting phrase is) one after another. A pack of hounds which 

 spread wide have, of course, a much better chance with the 

 scent than a long line of hounds following their leader. To 

 whichever side a fox may turn in the chase, one hound or other, 

 when they run wide, will take up the scent, and the body so go 

 on together without being brought to a check. A hound which 

 runs mute, or is a skirter, should be drafted ; they will both do 

 a _great deal of mischief. 



An old fox-hunter once remarked to me that there was a wide 

 distinction between hounds running at a scent, and carrying it 

 with them; and there is much force in this observation. A 

 good pack of hounds should go with the scent, and not beyond 

 it, turning always with it — in short, quick hounds ; these will 

 seldom go beyond it. Others dash at the scent, and most fre- 

 quently dash over it. They have then to recover their lost 

 ground. Here lies the distinction between a quick hound and a 

 fast one ; both, perhaps, equal in speed, but doing their w^ork in 

 a different style. The fable of the hare and the tortoise may be 

 quoted as an instance to show what a steady pace, with per- 

 severance, may accomplish. I do not here intend to recom- 

 mend old or bad hounds, that will tye upon a scent — they are 

 worse than useless, and will act as a drag upon the rest of the 

 pack. The superiority of a well-bred fox-hound over other 

 hounds consists in his pushing forward, and making the most of 

 a bad scent. An old southern hound, or harrier, would be bow- 

 wowing over the scent across one field, whilst a fox-hound 

 would carry or follow it a mile in the same space of time. 



When foxes run their foil in covert — that is, continue running 

 over the same ground, by which hounds are so frequently 

 foiled, and the scent becomes almost lost — some huntsmen will 

 take their hounds away, and find a fresh fox. I cannot admire 

 tliis course of proceeding ; it may be all very well upon a bad 

 scenting day, or when you may have particular reasons lor 



