HUNTSMAN 169 



this cast is continued all round in front, and to the 

 right, till he again reaches the Une behind. He then 

 takes a wider cast either way, and is guided by 

 circumstances ; but nineteen times out of twenty 

 this last is not required, except the fox is headed 

 some chstance back, and the steam and stain of 

 the horses prevents the hounds feehng the scent, 

 the quick fost cast back. If there is no wind to 

 guide him, there may be a cover to which the fox 

 is gone, on the left ; but still he holds them first 

 the unhkely side. 



Sheep are often great enemies to fox-hunting, 

 more particularly in the upper, or rather the grass 

 countries ; but if a huntsman keeps his eyes open, 

 this obstacle to sport can be much lessened. For 

 if a fox crosses a field in which sheep are, as they 

 are quick-sighted and timid, they invariably show 

 by the situation of some of them that they have 

 been frightened ; and some will be seen in a line 

 with their heads all the same way, or they will 

 form a line all across the field, with their heads 

 in an opposite direction to the part where the fox 

 passed, which part will be clear of sheep. But it 

 also sometimes happens that young sheep, after a 

 fox has gone by, follow his fine to the spot where 

 he went through the fence. It should also be 



