326 The Hunting Countries of England. 



the two ; secondly, that it is infinitely more difficult to 

 cross with hounds. It owns to none of the light 

 weak-scenting soil that is found across the centre of 

 the Albrighton ; but whether on hill or dale, in covert 

 or out, on grass or on plough, at least a fair scent may 

 be expected whenever weather will allow of such a 

 privilege. Vv^'ith the Albrighton, again, you may ride 

 to hounds almost everywhere. It is very different in 

 the Wheatland country. You may generally ride 

 after them, it is true — but at what distance must too 

 often depend upon the pace they are travelling, and 

 on whether their fox is leading them straight. For 

 though a way may be forced through the deep dingles ; 

 though brooks that cannot be jumped can generally 

 be forded somewhere ; and though the thickesfc-growu 

 bank is seldom without a breach that may be stormed 

 by determined leaders such as ride in the van of the 

 Wheatland Hunt — yet all this involves time, and, 

 when accomplished, probably leaves the successful 

 ones with a killing ascent still to climb, and the 

 driving pack already over the brow. To make the 

 best of their way in pursuit of hounds, men cannot 

 afford to lose a yard downhill ; for in the valleys and 

 up the hill-sides hounds seldom fail to gain upon them. 

 On open ground they can carry out this principle to some 

 purpose ; but when the occasion involves a large 

 overhanging covert — of the kind that abounds in the 

 country — it becomes advisable, as in Devonshire, to 

 wait awhile on the high ground till the pack points 

 out a definite direction. In fact, as in all hilly 

 countries, the maxim that it is '^ easy enough to get 

 down, but difficult enough to get up,^^ must ever be 



