252 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



of frame behind the shoulders, which gives so much 

 space for the lungs, and which accounts for the 

 extraordinary wind it has often showii itself to 

 possess, to the no small surprise and disappoint- 

 ment of both hounds and men ; for there are foxes 

 which, if they have time to prepare themselves for 

 work, will defy any pack to kill, even with a 

 good scent, and they will have enough to do even 

 with a burning scent, without having the usual 

 accidents of checks, etc., in a run. These are 

 seasoned foxes which one meets with now and 

 then — for a very good reason, that they are always 

 awake ; and either steal away, or leave hounds too 

 far behind to allow of a famihar acquaintance. 



The illustration represents the finish of a good 

 run Avith the Avriter's hounds in the Hambledon 

 country, 1828. The fox ran into a chalk -pit 

 with the hounds close at him, and a hound was 

 seen by the writer and many others hanging to 

 the fox by his brush for several minutes, till the 

 fox was exhausted and fell amongst the hounds 

 below. 



The fox is the most deceiving animal as to 

 powers. INIany huntsmen have gone out deter- 

 mined, if there is a good scent, to kill their fox in a 

 short time, with the same feeling that many went 



