194 HUNTING DIRECTORY. 



Of Cold Hunting, coming to a Check, &c. 



not easily to be given up, since he has been known some- 

 times to lie down in cart ruts, and to get up very unex- 

 pectedly in the midst of the hounds. 



When hounds are at cold hunting with a bad scent, 

 a whipper-in may be sent forward : if he can see the fox, 

 a little mobbing, as Beckford says, at such a time as 

 this, may be reasonably allowed. When hounds come 

 to a check on a high road, by the fox being headed back, 

 if, in that case the hounds are suffered to try back, it 

 gives them the best chance of hitting off the scent again. 



When hounds are running in cover, the sportsmen 

 should be as quiet as possible. If renard be near his 

 end — if he be running short, and the hounds are catching 

 at him, not a word should be spoken : this is a difficult 

 time for hounds, as the fox is continually turning, and 

 will sometimes lie down, and let them pass him. A fox 

 is more likely to be lost, when first found, and when he 

 is sinking, than at any other period : at these times, he 

 will frequently run short, and the eagerness of the hounds 

 is apt to carry them beyond the scent. 



In regard to halloos, it may be observed that those 

 who have good voices are too apt to use them. When 

 a fox is hallooed, those who understand the business, 

 and get forward, may halloo him again ; yet they should 

 recollect that, if the hounds go the contrary way, and do 

 not seem to come on upon the line of him, to halloo no 

 more, as it is tolerably evident he has not seen the hunted 

 fox, though most persons are willing to persuade them- 

 selves that whatever fox they see must be the hunted fox 

 and no other. Halloos of encouragement to the leading 

 liounds, if injudiciously given, are highly injurious; hut 



