226 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



Hit — When hounds are at check, and recover the 

 scent it is hitting it off. Or, the first hound 

 that feels the scent is said to have made a 

 good hit. 



Hold Hard — A huntsman's rate. Eager and 

 jealous riders when they will not pull up, 

 although pressing the hounds too closely — 

 generally for fear that another will pass them 

 — and so drive the hounds beyond the scent, 

 often ruin a day's sport. JNIen who will not 

 look at hounds may as well content them- 

 selves with riding steeple-chases. 



Hooi — The view-halloo, if Tally-ho is not heard ; or 

 when hounds are at a check, and it is desirable 

 to get them on. 



Holding Scent — When the scent is just good 

 enough for hounds to hunt a fox a fair pace, 

 but not enough to press him, though it ought 

 to kill him. 



Kennel — Where a fox hes all day in cover, to 

 which he goes every morning before it is quite 

 daylight, and remains in it till dark. 



Line Hunters are good hounds which will not 

 go a yard beyond the scent, and keep the pack 

 right — invaluable hounds ; by some called 

 plough-holders, because they hold the line. 



