THE FOXHOUND 23 



the moist grass countries, where trailing con- 

 ditions are such that scent hangs breast high 

 and a hound with half a nose could run at top 

 speed. The coverts are convenient and small, 

 the huntsman knows within a few hundred 

 yards of where the fox " uses " and can lay 

 his hand on the line any time. The foxes are 

 fat, sleek, and well fed, and in an untrained 

 condition a straightaway run of eight or ten 

 miles is uncommon. The run seldom exceeds 

 one and a half or two hours once in a dozen 

 chases. If check or loss is made, the hounds 

 have the assistance of huntsmen, whippers-in, 

 stoppers, and the hunter in regaining the line. 

 The problem that confronts the American 

 hounds is an altogether different matter. Our 

 coverts and forests are extremely large. The 

 foxes, remaining wild and timid, seldom pass 

 twenty-four hours without a run of four to 

 eight hours, the hounds frequently running 

 them by themselves without hunters. 



