CHAPTER VI 



The Huntsman (continued) — Laying Hounds on to a line — 

 Getting Hounds away from covert on a Fox. 



An attempt has been made in the last chapter to 

 describe a successful morning, when scent and luck 

 have served and the earths are well stopped. On 

 these occasions everything seems so easy. But 

 there will be some scentless mornings which will 

 test the patience and perseverance of the very 

 stoutest. The best thing the Huntsman can then 

 do is to keep on moving and using his voice cheerily, 

 so as to show his men, his Hounds, and the Cubs 

 that he means to persevere. When the Hounds 

 cannot speak to a Cub, the only thing that is likely 

 to keep him on his legs is the sound of the human 

 voice ; but, if the covert is too thick for a horse to 

 go through, it is better to stand still and encourage 

 the Hounds to draw it rather than dismount and 

 draw it on foot. The Huntsman only has to do this 

 a few times for the Hounds to acquire the habit of 

 never going into a thick place at all unless he gets off 

 his horse and goes in first to show them the way. 



49 E 



