The Rev. Jack Russell, M.F.H. and M.O.H. 41 



bouring farmers and cottagers gave them a welcome by their 

 firesides. 



Unfortunately otter-hunting only lasts for about five months 

 in the year, but there is no pleasanter way of spending the 

 summer months, for you are led into strange unfrequented 

 places far from the haunts of man, where Nature is seen at her 

 best, in her most attractive forms. When the season ended 

 Mr. Russell hunted a good deal with Mr. Froude, vicar of 

 Knowstone, which place was only about ten miles from South 

 Molton ; the country was mostly wild moor, heath and 

 furze. 



In 1826 Mr. Russell married and left South Molton, returning 

 to the home of his youth as curate to his father. There being 

 no hounds in the immediate vicinity, he soon collected some and 

 blossomed into a M.F.H. ; he gathered together some useful 

 workers, several having belonged to a Mr. Templer of Stover, 

 whose methods were original, and who had wonderful control 

 over his hounds. On blank days he would turn out a bagged 

 one in front of his pack, but they were not allowed to touch 

 him ; they used to stand round their master with his watch in 

 hand ; when he said, " One, two, and away ! " off they flew. 

 Most of the hounds glued their eyes on their master's face until 

 the given moment, but one fixed his eyes on his watch, and the 

 moment it was shut with a snap was off in pursuit. Mr. Templer 

 kept about twenty foxes for blank days in a couple of big yards. 

 Each fox had a long chain attached to it so that it could take 

 plenty of exercise, being occasionally assisted by a tandem 

 whip, gently applied to keep them in good form and wind. 

 One fox had been turned out about thirty times and quite 

 understood the game ; he was rewarded by a fresh rabbit 

 for his supper at the end of the day. I have been told the 

 fox enjoyed the fun, giving them plenty of galloping. The 

 hounds must indeed have been well disciplined, for when the fox 

 had done enough and refused to run any more, they would stand 

 round him with mouths watering and not touch, for this fox, 

 when he ceased to find amusement in the game, refused to go 

 any further. The Master must have been a hard rider to be up 

 in time always to see that his favourites did not transgress. 



This wonderful pack of dwarf foxhounds was sold in 1826, 

 I believe, finding new homes all over the country. Mr. Russell, 



