108 THE HUNTING FIELD 



civilly, even if they are doubtful, until proofs can be brought 

 against them that they do destroy foxes against their master's 

 will ; for there are many keepers most highly respectable men, 

 and indeed, under any circumstances, it is the height of folly 

 to abuse them openly, as is too often done." 



Mr. Smith afterwards relates an anecdote of a most righteous 

 keeper, who, being accused of killing cubs, which he offered to 

 take any sized oath he did not, on the act being brought home 

 to him, candidly said, " Well, then, I did do it ; for it would 

 be unnatural in me not to kill what I was brought up to do." 



We are, however, getting rather off the line, but keepers 

 are so connected with foxes and Earth-stoppers, that we 

 could hardly avoid touching upon them. We agree with 

 Mr. Smith that there are many highly respectable men among 

 keepers, men w^ho are reallj' fond of hunting, and we are 

 not sure that in some instances where they are blamed, the 

 fault is with the Earth-stopper. Of course an Earth-stopper 

 cannot " ring " the foxes out at a certain hour, as the bellman 

 does the merchants on the Royal Exchange, and he must 

 just "stop" at the likeliest time for the majority to be 

 roaming ; and, if any stay at home when they ought to be 

 out, why they must just go without their suppers. Do not, 

 however, let sportsmen condemn a keeper for an occasional 

 blank. Who knows but a fox, finding his earth stopped, may 

 say to himself, "I'll cut my stick; for, if I mistake not, 

 those terrible high bred dogs of Mr. Rattlecover's will be here 

 to-day." It is not attributing too much sagacity to the wily 

 animal to suppose that he will recognize the features that 

 preceded a former discomfiture. Foxes are quite as good 

 hands as other animals at discriminating where harm is meant 

 and none — who are their friends and who not. How leisurely 

 a fox disturbed b}' the sombre dressed shooter trots away, 

 sniffing the air and looking over his shoulder, as much as to 



