CHAPTER VII 



The Huntsman in the open — Mr. Thomas Smith's patent 

 cast — Examples in practice — Some maxims about 

 casting — A sinking Fox. 



Let us now imagine that all has gone merrily for a 

 mile or two. It may be one of those pet days on 

 which Hounds can burst their Fox and run into 

 him in about half-an-hour, the ladies and gentlemen 

 having had their work cut out to keep with them. 

 To all who take part in it, an affair of this kind 

 is the very elixir of Fox-hunting, probably of all 

 sport. To the Huntsman it is the quintessence 

 of his ambition. Sometimes it is suggested that, 

 inasmuch as the weather and the Hounds and a 

 certain amount of luck are the only factors, the 

 Huntsman is merely a passenger. Do not believe 

 it. The victorious burst is the concentrated result 

 of weeks and months of careful training, feeding, 

 and conditioning, and reflects the highest credit 

 on the man who has been responsible for these 

 things, to say nothing of his skilful performance 

 in getting all his Hounds away together on the 



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