RIDING RECOLLECTIONS 



The object of your pursuit, however, is also 

 mortal. By the time you have tired an honest 

 horse in good condition the fox is driven to his 

 last resources, and even the hounds are less full 

 of fire than when they brought him away from 

 the covert. I am supposing, of course, that they 

 have not changed during the run. You may 

 now save many a furlong by bringing your 

 common -sense into play. What would you do 

 if you were a beaten fox, and where would you 

 go ? Certainly not across the middle of those 

 large pastures where you could be seen by the 

 whole troop of your enemies without a chance 

 of shelter or repose. No, you would rather lie 

 down in this deep, overgrown ditch, sneak along 

 the back of that strong, thick bullfinch, turn short 

 in the high, double hedgerow, and so hiding 

 yourself from the spiteful crows that would point 

 you out to the huntsman, try to baffle alike his 

 experienced intelligence and the natural sagacity 

 of his hounds. Such are but the simplest of the 

 wiles practised by this most cunning beast of 

 chase. While observing them, you need no 

 further distress the favourite who has carried 

 you so well than is necessary to render the 

 assistance required for finishing satisfactorily with 

 blood ; and here your eyes and ears will be far 

 more useful than the speed and stamina of your 

 horse. 



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