OF HEADING THE FOX. 265 



Most huntsmen like to have all their hounds 

 turned after them, when they make a cast : I 

 wonder not at them for it, but I am always 

 sorry when I see it done ; for till I find a 

 huntsman that is infallible, I shall continue 

 to think the more my hounds spread the bet- 

 ter: as long as they are within sight or heai*- 

 ing, it is sufficient. Many a time have I seen 

 an obstinate hound hit off the scent, when an 

 obstinate huntsman, by casting the wrong way, 

 has done all in his power to prevent it. Tv.'o 

 foxes I remember to have seen killed in one 

 day by skirting hounds, whilst the huntsman 

 was making his cast the contrary way. 



When hounds, running in cover, come into a 

 road, and horses are on before, let the huntsman 

 hold them quickly on beyond where the horses 

 have been, trying the opposite side as he goes 

 along. Should the horsemen have been long 

 enough there to have headed back the fox, let 

 them then try back. Condemn me not for suf- 

 fering hounds to try back, when the fox ?ias 

 beeUf headed back ; I recommend it at no 

 other time. 



When your hounds are divided into many 

 parts, you had better go off with the first fox 

 that breaks. The ground will soon get tainted, 

 N 



