264 HORSES AND HOUNDS. 



a bad shot, and get laughed at for your remarks. You may ask 

 the name of any one which particularly takes your fancy, and 

 keep your eye upon him afterwards in the work of the day. 

 This will give you an interest in what is going on. You may 

 also ask the huntsman what he thinks of the weather, if of a 

 conversable turn, and, having made your survey, the next best 

 thing you can do is to make yourself scarcej remount your horse, 

 and prepare for business. 



If the hounds approach where you are, turn your horse's head 

 in the direction they are going, and, if in a lane or road, keep as 

 near to the fence as possible, giving them room to pass you. 

 Bear in mind throughout the day always to turn as the hounds 

 are going, and never meet them, if possible to avoid it. In going 

 to the covert which is first to be drawn, you will have plenty of 

 time to exchange greetings with your friends, if you have any 

 and get rid of all the jokes which you may have been bottling 

 up for the occasion. 



As soon as the hounds are thrown into covert, then all coffee- 

 housing should cease, and prepare for business. Follow the 

 huntsman at a respectful distance, and observe how the hounds 

 draw. When the fox is found, do not be too much in a huriy, 

 the huntsman will be your best guide to follow, but you must 

 consider him a very great man, and not press too near upon 

 him and his favourites, or he will wish you at the bottom of the 

 sea. If there be real sporting blood in your veins you will 

 not regard a few scratches in the face, or having your boots 

 nearly torn off your legs in brushing through some good stiff 

 underwood. 



When the hounds break away, keep your eye upon your 

 guide, and although your horse may be pulling your arms off, 

 do not let him carry you before the hounds, or you will hear 

 rather more remarks about such a performance than may be 

 quite agreeable. If you cannot hold your horse, turn him off 

 at right angles to the right or left, and get out of the fray as 

 quickly as possible, before the death of some favourite hound is 

 laid to your charge. When you come to the fencing depart- 

 ment, do not follow any leader, or you may perchance, should 

 he meet mth a pip, pounce upon him on the other side, and 

 occasion him a compound fracture, which would be rather a 

 disagreeable reflection, and destroy your gusto for the sport of 

 that_ day, if not for the next two months to come. Before 

 coming to your fence, look out the place most agreeable to your 

 fancy, not the lowest place, where the fence has been before made 

 up, or the chances are that you may alight in a squire trap, the 

 other side ; neither select the stiffest or highest part to show 



