HUNTING THE FOX 231 



fox in the covert, and then our hunted friend escapes 

 for the day. But we will suppose that the fox is not 

 the only person with his wits about him. The hunts- 

 man looks forward and sees the plantation, ' Close 

 covert; fox won't stay, very likely to change; will 

 lift 'em round.' ' Put 'em on, Jack ! ' Toot ! toot ! 

 The fox, which has once more eased his pace as the 

 jangle of the pack stopped, now loses heart, for when 

 once more the clamour assails his ears it is much 

 closer than before. His point is a badger's earth 

 on the side of a hill, still three miles away. Quickly 

 he realises that his strength will not last him so far. 

 Hounds are very near : something must be done. 

 Before him is a fence with a gate ; he runs to the gate- 

 way, stops, turns short round and creeps under the 

 fence, on the same side as that on which he approached 

 it. This is most effectual. Hounds are in a tremen- 

 dous state of excitement, promising each other to 

 ' tear him and eat him ' in a very short time. Helter- 

 skelter they dash through the gate ; the clamour 

 ceases, but still they flash on right into the middle of 

 the field before they realise that they have no line. 

 The foxhound is no fool, but he has a slower mind 

 than a fox. The huntsman is puzzled and proceeds to 

 make an all round kind of cast in the next field, where 

 the fox has not been, and five or six minutes are 



