202 COVERT-SIDE SKETCHES. 



tirni lines made on a map by the aid of ruler and compasses ; 

 that of the fox to the same line attempted without their aid 

 by a shaky and unskilful hand. 



" The influence of this on hounds will be apparent to any 

 sportsman. Another thing is, I believe, the diiierence in scent 

 between deer and fox ; the former probably, hanging higher in 

 the air, does not appear to be affected by liounds passing over 

 the line, and those can enjoy it who have not the actual lead, 

 thus rendering them more independent of being in front than 

 with the fox, where it is very evident the foremost rank have 

 tlie best of it, and, knowing this, they are all so emulous for the 

 lead. If it is not so, why cannot fox-hounds run when a hound 

 or a couple has stolen away a field or two ahead, or a cur chased 

 the fox ? With deer I believe it makes very little difference to 

 the pack if a tufter has escaped the vigilance of the whip, and 

 gone forward on the line. Dr. Collyns says of the old stag- 

 hound.s : ' Like all hounds I have ever seen hunting deer in 

 this country, they ran almost in a line, one after another, not 

 carrying a head like fox-hounds, but each hound apparently 

 revelling in the scent and doing his work for himself, not put- 

 ting faith in his neighbour, but trusting to his own nose, and to 

 that alone.' I have noticed exactly the same thing with the 

 hounds now used, and they are merely fox-hounds drafted for 

 oversize (they average twenty-five inches) from the best kennels 

 in England ; they, at any rate, cannot be accused of want of 

 dash. Whatever may be the solution, so it is, and a certain 

 amount of interest is lost to the actual chase over the open, as 

 no one can deny that it is more exciting to see hounds racing 

 for the lead than following each other contentedly, like ducks. 

 It must not for a moment, however, be imagined that on this 

 account pace is wanting. You will find that it takes your very 

 best nag all his time to live with the Devon and Somerset 

 over the open, if you ride up to them. I remember an instance 

 of a gentleman going there from Northamptonshire, who, it 

 was said, at first complained that the hounds did not go fast 



