168 FOX-HUNTING 



On the stroke of eleven you arrive at the 

 fixture, give all a pleasant greeting, and then 

 remain to be inspected by your field. You have 

 probably gained many adherents during cub- 

 hunting, but there are others who see you now 

 for the first time, and you may be certain every 

 detail of the whole turn-out is being thoroughly 

 criticised you hope favourably. At five minutes 

 past the hour you trot leisurely off to the covert 

 that is always drawn on the opening-day, and 

 is situated in the middle of your best country: 

 the first whip in front and the second behind, 

 who have had orders previously to see the space 

 for hounds is not encroached upon by the field. 



The covert is twelve acres of gorse and black- 

 thorn, not very thick in places, but with plenty 

 of brambles and long grass to make good lying 

 for a fox. You station your field on the up- 

 wind side, direct the whips where to stand, and 

 then throw hounds in. There is a narrow ride 

 down the centre of the covert, and to this you 

 make your way, all the time letting hounds hear 

 your voice and encouraging them to try. Where 

 the undergrowth is thickest you give them more 

 time to draw, and when you enter the ride you 



