210 EAGERNESS PREJUDICIAL. 



* * * *, " that a pack of fox -hounds would do 

 better without a huntsman than with one ; and 

 that, if left to themselves, they would never lose 

 a fox ;"" yet, if allowing them their usual attend- 

 ants, he had objected only to the sportsmen who 

 follow them, I must have joined issue with 

 him. Whoever has followed hounds, has seen 

 them frequently hurried beyond the scent; and 

 whoever is conversant in hunting must know, 

 that the steam of many horses, carried by the 

 wind, and mixed with a cold scent, is preju- 

 dicial to it. 



It sometimes happens thai* a good horseman 

 is not so well in with the hounds as an indifferent 

 one, because he seldom will condescend to get 

 off his horse. I believe the best way to follow 

 hounds across a country is to keep on the line 

 of them, and to dismount at once when you 

 come to a leap which you do not choose to take ; 

 for in looking about for easier places, much time 

 is lost. In following hounds, it may be useful 

 to you to know, that when in cover they run up 

 the wind, you cannot in reason be too far be- 

 hind them, as long as you have a perfect hear- 

 ing of them, and can command them; and, on 

 the contrary, when they are running down the 

 wind, you cannot keep too close to them. 



