130 FOX-HUNTING IN THE SHIRES 



productive of mischief. Hounds are ridden over — 

 pressed upon they are sure to be — confusion arises, 

 and as a fresh fox is at hand that is the cure for the 

 disappointment. . . . ' D — d unlucky losing that first 

 fox. Very pretty whilst it lasted. The Squire's cast 

 no doubt was right, but depend upon it he was headed 

 by that shepherd and his dog.' ' But why did he 

 not try back ? ' asks one of the old school (note, 

 reader, this was the first quarter of the last century, 

 and the old school is with us still !), ' Not used to 

 so fast a country. I think, by the crows, he's gone 

 over yonder hill.' ' Very likely, sir,' says Jack Stevens, 

 as he holds a gate open for the hounds who are on 

 their road to Shangton Holt, where they are sure of 

 a find in ten minutes." All this might have been 

 written to-day. 



Mr. Osbaldeston greatly improved the pack, and 

 he bred for pace. He entered, though he did not 

 breed, the famous Furrier, to whom most of our best 

 hounds strain back. Mr. Osbaldeston also taught 

 his hounds to disregard the pressure of horsemen. 

 This was done by going away with the first lot of 

 hounds and leaving the others to be cheered forward 

 by the whipper-in. A fox-hound hates to be left 

 behind, and will strive to get forward in spite of 

 horses and the perils of a crowd. It would be outside 

 my plan to detail the history of the pack. It is 

 enough to say that the example set by these earlier 

 huntsmen was followed by those who succeeded with 

 more or less success according to their ability, until 

 we arrive at the present day. 



Of all the huntsmen in the field who ever carried 

 the horn in Leicestershire the late Tom Firr was the 

 greatest. He knew exactly what his hounds could 

 do in the circumstances of the hunt. He never lost 



