20 HUNTING THE FOX 



the state of the harvest will allow, and should 

 be pursued relentlessly, no matter how hard 

 the ground may be. Continuity of training is of 

 supreme value, and to interrupt it is a fatal mistake. 

 The M.F.H. should be out every day himself, so 

 as to make sure by personal supervision that a 

 definite system is carried out and that no liberties 

 are taken. In bad scenting weather, when Cubs 

 do not come to hand easily, temptation to depart 

 from orthodox methods may easily arise, when 

 the influence of the M.F.H. should be on the side 

 of that little extra bit of perseverance that sooner 

 or later is bound to prevail. Keep on playing the 

 game, the Cubs will be caught, and the pack will 

 be made, not forgetting that one really well-beaten 

 Cub killed is worth more than almost any amount 

 of fresh ones chopped before the Hounds have 

 had to work for them. They should have their 

 blood and hackles up, and be savage with their 

 Fox before they kill him. When two or three 

 couples catch a fat Cub asleep and the remainder 

 of the pack wander up mainly to see what is the 

 matter, it is doubtful if any permanent good is 

 done except to add to the number of noses on the 

 kennel door. Here and there, no doubt, Cubs will 

 have to be held up in small places. It is better 

 to do this than not catch any at all. But the 

 orthodox method is to visit the strongholds first 

 and to stick to them all morning. The best way 



