22 HUNTING THE FOX 



should not be perfunctory, but even more patient 

 and thorough than in drawing over it for the first 

 time. 



During at least the first month of Cub-hunting, 

 Hounds should be kept in covert and not allowed 

 to see daylight. This for two reasons : first, the 

 puppies learn to depend on the old Hounds and 

 go to the cry much better in covert than in the 

 open. They cannot stare about, and are forced 

 to use their ears and their intelligence. Second, 

 the whole pack learns how to correct its own faults 

 without holloas and assistance — the most valuable 

 of all lessons — when the Cub makes a sharp turn, 

 and the scent is overrun. In addition to this, the 

 Staff cannot keep near Hounds in the open until 

 at least the middle of October. What happens ? 

 The training and condition of the old Hounds gives 

 them the lead ; the puppies follow them, not 

 rightly knowing what they are after ; sooner or 

 later a check occurs ; a hare jumps up, offering 

 a temptation which impetuous youth cannot resist, 

 even in its second season, and a general demoraliza- 

 tion ensues. The old Hounds are disgusted, and 

 the puppies, after running the hare as long as sight 

 will serve, throw up their heads and lie down to lap 

 in the nearest pond. The Huntsman and whippers- 

 in will probably not get all parties together again 

 until such mischief has been done that will take 

 many mornings of steady work in covert to correct. 



