HUNTING THE FOX 69 



owing to the fences or formation of the ground. 

 They should need no whipper-in to turn their 

 heads, if the Huntsman knows how to handle 

 them ; to say nothing of the fact that in most 

 countries the fences will not allow the whipper-in 

 to ride round the outside of the circle. He had 

 far better, while the cast is being made, ride behind 

 the Huntsman, save his horse, and make himself 

 useful by getting the gates open ; though, if both 

 men are there, the second whipper-in might profit- 

 ably sink the wind and perhaps give the Huntsman 

 a good lift. Should he be lucky enough to get a 

 view, or obtain sound information, he should let 

 the Huntsman know as quietly as he can, point 

 with his cap the direction of the Fox, and, if possible, 

 meet the Huntsman so as to tell him all about it 

 on his way to the holloa. The Huntsman, even 

 if he views the Fox himself, should take hold of his 

 Hounds quite quietly and canter them up to the 

 place where the Fox was last seen. 



One more maxim about casting and we have 

 done. It is indeed contained in Mr. Thomas Smith's 

 advice, though not explicitly stated. It is, always to 

 try to recover the line at the nearest possible point 

 to where it was lost, and never to yield to the 

 temptation to get nearer the Fox by getting ahead 

 of this point, and trust to striking the line farther 

 on, however strong the probability of success may 

 appear. This maxim also applies in going to a 



