CUB-HUNTING 61 



man I know. He rode to hounds for fifty seasons, 

 and his nerve was good to the last, whilst when I 

 first knew him he was the hardest of the hard. 

 Then he gave up all at once, because with increas- 

 ing years he became rather lame, and he found 

 that riding increased his lameness and was injuring 

 his health. That it was rather a trial he admits, 

 but it was the right thing to do, and he did it. 

 None of his friends knew what it cost him, and 

 his interest in hunting was as keen as ever. But 

 then from his youth upwards he had been a hound 

 man, noting with the keenest interest the fine 

 instinct of that most sagacious animal the fox- 

 hound. On the flags he was and is a fine judge 

 of make and shape, as in the field he is a keen 

 critic of work. Neighbouring kennels are fre- 

 quently visited by him, and a rare treat it is to be 

 one of the party at such times. He also goes out 

 on foot or in a carriage whenever opportunity 

 presents itself, and it would astonish some of those 

 gentlemen who are forward riders to learn what he 

 sees. And best of all is the interest preserved in 

 the sport of sports, an interest which is not con- 

 fined to a record of the past, but which is keenly 

 alive to all that is going on in the present. It is, 

 I think, worth taking a little trouble to obtain a 

 knowledge which will enable you to enjoy your 

 favourite sport, even when age prevents you taking 

 the place you were once wont to occupy to your 

 own satisfaction. 



Therefore it is that I strongly recommend all 

 those who have the opportunity to get as much 

 early cub-hunting as they can. I may be told 

 that the huntsman does not care to see many out 

 during the earlier days of the cub-hunting season, 



