174 The Hunting Countries of England. 



streams find their way to its southern limits. The 

 Tees is such a size that foxes will seldom face it : but 

 the Leven does not possess such terrors for them, and 

 consequently proves the more frequent evil of the two. 

 Its forty feet of water may not check a flying fox, but 

 forms a complete stopper to the most resolute pursuer 

 who may have to gallop round a mile or two to regain 

 the pack if he can find it. The same opportunity is 

 often enough presented by the Wisk ; and consequently 

 it is by no means an uncommon occurrence for hounds 

 to be lost to their field for a period indefinite and 

 anxious. 



The strong clay of the Hurworth Country carries a 

 steady scent. The greater proportion of the ground 

 is under the plough ; but grass is freely scattered 

 about, and is especially prevalent in the south — or 

 Northallerton — district. This latter, indeed, were only 

 foxes always forthcoming, might lay claim to being 

 the choicest corner in Yorkshire. Corner is the 

 appropriate term, as it is hemmed in by the Hamble- 

 ton Hills on the one side, and railways, road, and 

 Eiver Wisk on the other. The last-named is a source 

 of discomfort common to both Hurworth and Bedale — 

 as it is unjumpable, unfordable, and sparsely bridged, 

 yet seems to present no obstacle to foxes. But from, 

 say, Hutton^s Plantations, in the other direction — to 

 the hills — means as pretty a scurry as is to be had in 

 the county. It is a fact that establishes beyond doubt 

 the scenting properties of much of the North of 

 England soil, that hounds can almost always carry a 

 line on the plough, and never fail to run on the grass. 

 Such a thing as a pack throwing up in the middle of a 



