But though I have thus begun,
striking first at the very root of the matter, I must go back
with my pupil into the covert before I carry him on through the
run. In riding to hounds there is much to do before the straight
work commences. Indeed, the straight work is, for the man, the
easiest work, or the work, I should say, which may be done with
the least previous knowledge. Then the horse, with his qualities,
comes into play; and if he be up to his business in skill,
condition, and bottom, a man may go well by simply keeping with
others who go well also. Straight riding, however, is the
exception and not the rule. It comes sometimes, and is the cream
of hunting when it does come; but it does not come as often as
the enthusiastic beginner will have taught himself to expect.
But now we will go back to the covert, and into the covert if it
be a large one. I will speak of three kinds of coverts, the
gorse, the wood, and the forest. There are others, but none other
so distinct as to require reference. As regards the gorse covert,
which of all is the most delightful, you, my disciple, need only
be careful to keep in the crowd when it is being drawn. You must
understand that if the plantation which you see before you, and
which is the fox's home and homestead, be surrounded, the owner
of it will never leave it.
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