CONDUCT WHEN AT FAULT. 193 



the fox ought to have gone that way, that I 

 returned perfectly well satisfied, telling him at 

 the sanne time, that if the fox was a fool^ he 

 could 7iot help it. 



Gentlemen, when hounds are at fault, are too 

 apt themselves to contribute to their remaining 

 so. They should always stop their horses some 

 distance behind the hounds, and, if it is possible 

 to be silent, this is the time to be so : they 

 should be careful not to ride before the hounds, 

 or ride over the scent ; nor should they ever 

 meet a hound in the face, unless with a design 

 to stop him. Should you at any time be before 

 the hounds, turn your horse's head the way 

 they are going, get out of their way, and let 

 them pass you. 



In dry weather, foxes, particularly in heathy 

 countries, will rim the roads. If gentlemen, 

 at such times, will ride close upon the hounds, 

 they may drive them miles without any scent.* 

 High-mettled fox-hounds are seldom inclined to 

 stop whilst horses are close at the heels of them. 



An acquaintance of mine, a good sportsman, 

 but a very warm one, when he sees the company 



* No one should ever ride in a direction which, if persis- 

 ted in, would carry him amongst the hounds, unless he be 

 at a great distance behind them. 

 K 



