HUNTING THE FOX 119 



he last saw the Fox, which way his head was, and, 

 above all, how long ago. The Huntsman is sure 

 to ask you this last question directly you get into 

 touch with him, and it creates an unfortunate 

 lapse in your information to be obliged to confess 

 that you did not ask. It is true that some people's 

 estimation of time is a little vague, but as much 

 can be gathered from the manner of the informant 

 as from the exact number of minutes he reckons. 

 As was stated at the beginning of this chapter, 

 these few hints to ladies and gentlemen who hunt 

 are offered with real respect. They are the result 

 of some observation as to the manner in which 

 the duties of the M.F.H. and his Staff can be made 

 as easy as possible by the Field. It is not proposed 

 to enter at any length into the delicate relation- 

 ship between the M.F.H. and his followers. In 

 truth he can make it whatever he likes as far as 

 his own limitations will allow. Some Masters may 

 be efficient without being popular. Some may 

 be popular without being efficient. Some may be 

 both popular and efficient. But having devoted 

 a few paragraphs to the conduct of the Field, 

 experience of human nature will tell us that as a 

 general rule it is better for the M.F.H. to say 

 " Thank you " than to say " Get out of the way." 

 Sometimes the tongue obeys the brain too readily, 

 and the sharp word is on the wing. But all 

 sportsmen are very generous, and only too ready 



