222 HUNTING IN MANY COUNTRIES. 



once this interest is aroused it generally continues, for 

 those who have really noted the best puppies at any particular 

 show are often anxious to pick them out when they begin 

 to work in the field, and to follow their performances. Only 

 a few weeks ago I was talking to a veteran huntsman, who 

 retired some years ago, and he told me that when he first 

 became a whipper-in he was sure that no one except the 

 Master knew the names of any of the hounds, and that no 

 one ever a-sked him anything about any particular hound. 

 " But," he added, " before I retired I was being constantly 

 asked, ' what was that dark-coloured hound in front? ' or 

 ' which hound was it that took it up in the road ? ' And I 

 believe that in my last place there were quite half a dozen 

 men, and one or two ladies, who knew every hound in the 

 pack." This is all to the good for the future of hunting, 

 but I do not wish my readers to form the idea that because 

 I. am keen on hound work and am no longer young I cannot 

 appreciate the galloping and jumping. What I may point 

 out is that the two go hand in hand, and that it is quite 

 possible to ride really close up to hounds, and note what the 

 pack are doing, just as the huntsman does. What I think is 

 that the pleasure which can be derived from a run is enor- 

 mously increased if the doings of particular hounds are being 

 taken in at the same time. A clever huntsman, or Master, 

 and nowadays even an ordinary non-official follower will know, 

 whenever he sees the pack, which hounds are leading, which 

 are not running up, and so forth, and he will also be able 

 to detect the notes of the various hounds in covert. And those 

 who are able to do this must appreciate a fine hunt betteo: 

 than those who merely follow some pilot and, possibly, never 

 see a hound from the start to the finish of a run. 



But I did not intend to lecture my readers when I began 

 to write to-day, but rather to continue my narrative, which 

 is fast drawing to an end. I have a letter from an officer who 

 is at present in Egypt, and who reminds me of a good day 

 with the Wirral Harriers, in Cheshire. I well remember the 

 occasion, but first I may say that within quite recent times I 

 have seen the Cheshire foxhounds in the field, and enjoyed 

 myself very thoroughly in watching a pack that was new 

 to me. But as the three days I have in mind were mostly 



