260 ACTIVITY INDISPENSABLE 



may stop the tail hounds, and throw them in- 

 at head. I am almost inclined to say, it is the 

 only time it should be done. Whilst hounds 

 run straight, it cannot be of any use ; for they 

 will get on faster with the scent than they would 

 without it. 



When hounds are hunting a cold scent, and 

 point towards a cover, let a whipper-in get for- 

 ward to the opposite side of it. Should the fox 

 break before the hounds reach the cover, stop 

 them, and get them nearer to him. 



When a fox persists in running in a strong 

 cover, lies down often behind the hounds, and 

 they are slack in hunting him, let the hunts- 

 man get into the cover to them : it may 

 make the fox break ; it may keep him off 

 his foil; or may prevent the hounds from 

 giving him up. 



It is not often that slow huntsmen kill 

 many foxes : they are a check upon their 

 hounds, which seldom kill a fox but with a 

 high scent, when it is out of their power to 

 prevent it. What avails it to be told which 

 way the fox is gone, when he is so far before 

 that you cannot hunt him ? A Newmarket 

 boy, with a good understanding and a good 

 voice, might be preferable, perhaps, to an in- 



