THE RENDEZVOUS 133 



your horse too near. Are they the lady or the 

 gentlemen pack, and how many couple are there 

 out ? Unless you really know something about 

 them it is best to look only and not to talk. In 

 any case do not give yourself away by following 

 Somerville, and calling them dogs, or by talking of 

 their " sterns " as tails. Try and compare them in 

 your own mind with the pictures you have seen of 

 good and bad hounds. 



Do not lay yourself open to be snubbed by the 

 huntsman like the small boy on a pony who rode 

 up and said — 



"Good-morning, Mr. Huntsman, nice hunting 

 morning this ! " 



The answer was (grunt), " Is it } you know more 

 about it than / do, then. / never know whether 

 it's a good hunting morning till my hounds find 

 a fox." ^ 



The huntsman was no doubt thinking whether 

 or no there would be a scent, and at the same time 

 probably remembering, and thoroughly agreeing 

 with, Mr. Jorrocks' opinion, " There's nothing so 

 queer as scent except a woman." 



Having done with the hounds, take stock of the 

 field, their horses, their saddles, bridles, clothes, 

 seats, etc. Observation of all is good so long as 

 you do not observe in a sneering or captious spirit. 

 Remember that you never know that, when hounds 

 run, you will be able to even see the way which 

 that man in the "shocking bad hat " goes. 

 1 This is a fact. 



