246 THE DL\RY OF A HUXTS:MAN 



You set two men to run up a hill, one of them 

 to halloo all the "way up and the other to run 

 mute, and you "vvill find that the man who ran 

 mute will get to the top before the other gets half 

 way. Indeed, when hounds go the best pace, they 

 must go mute ; and the few that do throw their 

 tongues are those whimpering behind, because they 

 cannot get up. 



Another fault is skirting. This is also often a 

 source of regret, for many capital hounds be- 

 come skirters, and it is often a proof of their 

 haAino; greater sagacitv than the rest. How very 

 frequently do you see the skirting hound make the 

 most beautiful casts and surprising hits of his own 

 accord. But one skirter makes many, both of 

 hounds and men ; and creates the greatest confusion 

 should he get on another fox, etc. In short, there 

 is no end to the mischief he creates. You see him 

 shpping do^^Tl a ride to cross the line of the fox, 

 before the pack, and bring them to a check ; or 

 crossing the Hne of another fox, etc. 



Xot'vdthstanding this, a pack of skirters would 

 be as likely to kill their fox the first year, if not 

 more so, than any other ; and it may be often 

 remarked that a new pack kiU more foxes the first 

 year than any other year afterwards, — which pack 



