204 THE BEST SEASON ON EECORD. 



period. Hounds may rattle on lieartily across a mile or 

 two of damp turf; but those Inevitable "few acres for 

 turnips " (the which roots, by the way — or their equiva- 

 lent substitutes — might always be bought for half the 

 price from afar) are certain to throw the pack Into his 

 hand. Reynard, meanwhile, may have turned aside 

 from the rough fallow as naturally as a bather from sharp 

 shingles ; may have seen the shepherd in attendance on 

 his ewes just beyond, or may have even mistaken a white 

 mottled cow In the sunshine for a Meltonian on the 

 watch. Any of these terrors, real or imaginary, would 

 be quite sufficient to make him double in his course and 

 so leave the ploughed field at the most unexpected point. 

 The huntsman, meanwhile, has only probabilities for his 

 guidance, sees neither shepherd nor dog, and is still less 

 likely to make any mistake as to the identity of a good 

 subscriber at this period of fruition. Accordingly he 

 carries his hounds quickly round to the likely point, and 

 — unless his instinct be of that abnormal character to 

 which we are occasionally and happily treated — only re- 

 covers the line on his last and most hopeless effort. 

 (Parenthesis. Oh, what a fate must be that of a plough- 

 country huntsman In March !) 



At the same time, huntsmen can afford to take far 

 more, and greater, liberties with their pack than in the 

 earlier months of the season. Every hound now knows, 

 or should know, not only his work, but that when called 

 he is called to the line of his fox ; therefore, instead of 

 losing heart, he gains fresh hope and interest as he finds 



