HUNTSMAN 141 



he leaves the place of meeting ; previous to which, 

 on all occasions, it would be best if the master of 

 the hounds was to arrange with him which covers 

 should be drawai first, etc. It rarely happens that 

 two men think exactly alike, and unless he is 

 capable of judging for himself after the above 

 arrangement (which had much better be made 

 overnight), the master is to blame in keeping him ; 

 but if he is capable, the master is to blame for 

 interfering ; for, consequently, the man will be ever 

 thinking — what does master think ? and will not 

 gain that independence of thought and action so 

 necessary on most occasions to be a match for 

 a fox. For instance, at a check there are many, 

 apparently trifling ideas and thoughts in a hunts- 

 man's head which he cannot explain to his master, 

 when asked why he does this or that. Instead of 

 answering, he drops his bridal-hand and Ustens to his 

 master, although he has made observation of trifles, 

 which are often all he has for his guidance and 

 frequently are sufficient to recover his fox, though 

 probably no other person noticed them, — such as 

 this : the pack is running best pace ; he sees one 

 hound turn his head and fling to the right or left a 

 pace or two ; shortly after there is a check (say 

 500 yards). When he has made the usual casts, he 



