198 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



pit, he thinks may even make a steeple-chaser look 

 before he leaps ; for he should recollect that no 

 one has marked out his Hue with hounds as in a 

 steeplechase. 



One of the first things for a man to acquire in 

 riding to hounds is, an eye to hounds ; that is, in 

 chase always to keep his eye on the leading hound, 

 which he will easily distinguish from the pack by 

 observing that the moment the leading hound (or 

 hounds, but generally only one) catches the scent, 

 he drops his stern as straight as a tobacco-pipe, 

 and the stern of the other hound which had it the 

 moment before will rise. It often happens that 

 several get it when the scent is pretty good ; and if 

 so, it will be easier to see it. By observing this, he 

 turns his horse's head as he sees the hounds turn, 

 and gains a great advantage over those men who 

 only look at the body of the pack, and who go 

 beyond where it is necessary for their horse to go. 

 A man with a good eye to hounds will beat others 

 who have not, although much better mounted than 

 himself, and at times save his horse much distance 

 and deep ground. 



If men would pay attention to the cry of hounds 

 when running in cover, instead of riding in to the 

 end of the ride, without listening, merely because 



