BAG-FOXES. 303 



as I should ever wish a bag-fox to run, that 

 is designed for blood: the hounds should then 

 go home. 



Bag-foxes always run down the wind : such 

 sportsmen, therefore, as choose to turn them 

 out, may at the same time choose what country 

 they shall run. Foxes that are found, do not 

 follow this rule invariably. Strong earths and 

 large covers are great inducements to them, and 

 it is no inconsiderable wind that will keep them 

 from them. A gentleman, who never hunts, 

 being on a visit to a friend of his in the coun- 

 try, who hunts a great deal, heard him talk 

 frequently of bag-foxes : as he was unwilling 

 to betray his ignorance, his discretion and cu- 

 riosity kept him for some time in suspense, 

 till at last he could not refrain from asking, 

 '^ what kind of an animal a hag-fox was?'''' 

 and if it was not "a species of fox peculiar 

 to that country ?" 



A pack of hounds having run a fox to ground 

 immediately after he was found, he was dug 

 and turned out again ; and that the operation 

 of turning him out might be better performed, 

 the master of the hounds undertook it him- 

 self. You will hardly believe me when 1 tell 



