第9章 THE HUNTING FARMER(2)

My friend is generally a modest man in the field,seldom much given to talking unless he be first addressed;and then he prefers that you shall take upon yourself the chief burden of the conversation.But on certain hunting subjects he has his opinion,indeed,a very strong opinion,and if you can drive him from that,your eloquence must be very great.He is very urgent about special coverts,and even as to special foxes;and you will often find smouldering in his bosom,if you dive deep enough to search for it,a half-smothered fire of indignation against the master because the country has,according to our friend's views,been drawn amiss.In such matters the farmer is generally right;but he is slow to communicate his ideas,and does not recognize the fact that other men have not the same opportunities for observation which belong to him.A master,however,who understands his business will generally consult a farmer;and he will seldom,I think,or perhaps never,consult any one else.

Always shake hands with your friend the farmer.It puts him at his ease with you,and he will tell you more willingly after that ceremony what are his ideas about the wind,and what may be expected of the day.His day's hunting is to him a solemn thing,and he gives to it all his serious thought.If any man can predicate anything of the run of a fox,it is the farmer.

I had almost said that if any one knew anything of scent,it is the farmer;but of scent I believe that not even the farmer knows anything.But he knows very much as to the lie of the country,and should my gentle reader by chance have taken a glass or two of wine above ordinary over night,the effect of which will possibly be a temporary distaste to straight riding,no one's knowledge as to the line of the lanes is so serviceable as that of the farmer.