24 HUNTING THE FOX 



in time to deal with the Cubs ; and in the second 

 place it is a golden rule laid down by a great 

 authority that during the Cub-hunting season 

 Hounds should always be made to find their own 

 Fox. 



After November 1 the M.F.H. will have to 

 address himself to the management of his Field. 

 This task is rendered easy or difficult in proportion 

 to the manner in which the cardinal rules of the 

 chase are scientifically observed. For instance, if 

 the woodlands are drawn up wind, the ladies and 

 gentlemen will be able to hear the Huntsman 

 draw for his Fox, and hear the Hounds find him. 

 And in fact the management of the Field, both in 

 covert and in the open, depends indirectly upon 

 the Huntsman. If his horn and voice are always 

 clear and intelligible in covert, every one will 

 know exactly what he is doing and when it is safe 

 to stand still without the fear of being left behind. 

 If he is vague and indefinite, like a bad actor who, 

 in the language of the theatre, cannot " get it over 

 the footlights," then the Field will quite naturally 

 stalk him to see for themselves what he is doing, 

 with the result that no Master can control them. 

 In the open, if the Huntsman rides well up to his 

 Hounds and has sufficient wisdom and self-control 

 to stand stock-still, well away from them, when 

 they come to a check, then the Field will also be 

 obliged to stand still. There is nothing else for 



