326 THE SPORT OF KINGS 



Nor is this the only work which devolves 

 upon the huntsman during these, his easy months, 

 as the ignorant sometimes call them. There are 

 the young puppies to look after, to feed, and get 

 into proper condition to send out to walk ; there 

 are the walks to be selected, and the particular 

 fancies of puppy walkers to receive due considera- 

 tion. The keepers' dinner, too, is a matter of no 

 small importance. There are keepers and keepers, 

 and many keepers who are friendly to hunting 

 require to be considered when it comes to the 

 moving or non-moving of litters. Of course, the 

 huntsman and his Master would prefer to have 

 litters undisturbed till they go round on the early 

 autumn mornings to teach the young foxes their 

 business. But in some places it may be necessary 

 to remove a litter or two, and this removal neces- 

 sarily involves a considerable amount of diplomacy. 

 Then there are new keepers to make friends with, 

 and new tenants, both shooting and agricultural, 

 to get in touch with, and altogether every hour 

 finds its work till Peterborough Hound Show 

 brings our huntsman friends together again to 

 compare notes. Then after Peterborough comes 

 the overture in the shape of " long exercise," and 

 then once again will the season of seasons be 

 with us. 



In the meantime I would point out that it is 

 scarcely fair to expect the Master and huntsman to 

 do everything during the off months. Every hunt- 

 ing man can and should do something to assist in 

 keeping " the tambourine a-rowling." He should 

 remember that non-hunting farmers feel an interest 

 in agricultural shows, and, " assuming a virtue if he 

 hath it not," he should attend those shows as well 



