54 HUNTING THE FOX 



Having found this out, the Huntsman should then 

 manoeuvre so as to get every Hound between him 

 and his Fox. This can best be done by puUing 

 up, or slackening his pace, so as to allow the Hounds 

 to get well in front of his horse. If the Fox has 

 crossed a field it is a good plan to put the Hounds 

 through a gate or gap into the field, and for the 

 Huntsman not to enter the field with them. By 

 turning his horse's head he can then draw the 

 Hounds across the line, and as soon as one Hound 

 even has spoken they will all start together merrily, 

 and will take the credit for themselves. This 

 method also has the advantage of keeping the riders 

 off their backs by giving them a field's start. If, 

 on the other hand, the Huntsman gets ahead of 

 his Hounds and rides wildly, cap in hand, in the 

 direction the Fox has gone, with the pack straggling 

 after him, half the Hounds will be staring at his 

 horse's tail, while the other half will very likely 

 strike the scent heel-way if the Fox is travelling 

 down wind, as is generally the case. The same 

 tactics should be applied when the Fox has crossed 

 a road ; the Huntsman should throw his Hounds 

 over the road, but on no account enter the field 

 himself. In this way he is so placed that he is 

 master of the situation ; he can stop Hounds if 

 they happen to hit the scent heel-way ; he can 

 also prevent the horsemen from entering the field 

 until every Hound has got his head down and is 



