SCIENCE OF FOXHUNTING. 385 



condition. In course, all hounds enjoy a scent, 

 that's natural ; but I rather think they like catching 

 their game quite as well as hunting it." 



" Yes, Will, that's true enough ; changing scents 

 is the greatest of all our drawbacks." 



"It is so, squire; we must put up with the 

 weather, chop and change as it may, like other folk ; 

 but to have hounds holloa'd on to a fresh fox when 

 they are just on the point of catching the tired one, 

 after a hard chase, is what I calls a very hard case." 



" There will be a harder case to-morrow, I think 

 a precious hard frost, and no hunting at all for a 

 month, perhaps." 



" A fortnight's shut-up wouldn't do us any harm, 

 squire, as we have had a pretty good share of work 

 this season, and that's about the lion's share in 

 comparison with our neighbours. But, talking of 

 frost, I dare say you have seen a capital scent in a 

 white one, whilst it was white, but just the reverse 

 or none at all when it were going off, and the 

 vapour like rising from the 'arth. Well, putting 

 this and that together, and all things considered, 

 scent is, after all that can be said about it, a very 

 ticklish subject to handle, like a live fox; still I pins 

 my faith upon the 7iair." 



" Right, quite right, Will, it does all come from 

 the /fair : here our roads cross, so good night." 



c c 



