274 THOUGHTS UPON IIUNTIN(?4 



foxes will always run them In dry weather: whert houndi^^ 

 therefore, over-run ihe scent, if your huntsman return t6 

 the first cross-road^ he probably will hit oiT the scent 

 ao-ain. 



In large covers where there are several roads ; in bad 

 scenting days, when these "toads are dry j or, after a thaw,' 

 when they carry — it is necessary that your huntsman 

 should be near to his hounds, to help them, and hold 

 them forward. Foxes will run the roads at these times, 

 and hounds cannot always own the scent. When they are 

 at fault on a dry road, let not your huntsman turn back 

 too soon; let him not stop, till he can be certain that the 

 fox' is not gone on. The hounds should try on both sides 

 the road at once : if he perceive that they try on one 

 side only, let him try the orhcr on his return. 



When hounds are running in cover, if a huntsman 

 should see a fox come into a road, and cannot see which 

 way he turns aftervi^ards, let him stand still, and say no- 

 thing : if he ride on:, he must ride over the scent ; and if 

 he encourage the hounds, they most probably would run 

 beyond it. 



