276 TJie Hunting Countries of England. 



that belong to the gaps and smeuses of strong thick 

 hedges. Hounds can, naturally, carry themselves up 

 the steep hillsides far faster than horses can carry an 

 indefinite weight of humanity : and the only chance 

 horses have is to make best use of their shoulders, 

 where the ground favours them and their heads are 

 pointing down hill. It must not be supposed that 

 hounds can run every day over these wide slopes of 

 light plough. Too often the soil exhibits a coldness 

 and indifference to Reynard^s line of flight, that make 

 progress almost impossible. But when a scent and a 

 straight fox are both forthcoming, he must be a quick 

 man on a smart horse who would ride close on the 

 line of hounds. To keep them more or less in sight 

 is seldom difficult; for, once you are away from the 

 coverts, the ground will generally be found open and 

 easy to the view. Your horse, by the way, need not 

 — should not — be a big one. Strength behind the 

 saddle, and blue blood in every vein, are essential. A 

 lengthy horse will soon tire up the hills ; and though 

 he may jump a &tone wall when fresh as well as 

 another, the difficulty of raising himself for this 

 particular kind of leap becomes more distressing at 

 each effort. A wet autumn is needed to insure scent 

 and sport; and it is surprising what an amount of 

 rain the light soil of the hills will soak up. It then 

 lets horses in to a great depth — while hounds can 

 run their best. On the other hand, under exactly 

 opposite conditions, there is often a tremendous scent 

 in a dry March, with the dust flying in clouds. 



The Cotswold foxes are not only plentiful, but 

 strong and ready to travel. Of course such great 



