Part 8

One of the most cruel amusements, if we look closely into it, is ferreting rabbits. And yet who will say that ferreting rabbits is anything but a fair and reputable sport? But the man who is constantly rabbiting will announce, with airs of superior humanity, that digging out a badger is too brutal a sport for him. Why, there is no comparison! In a properly managed badger-digging there is no cruelty whatever. The badger is taken without so much as a scratch, and the terriers consider their pleasure cheaply purchased when they have the misfortune to get a kiss on the face from a badger. No man wishes to have a good terrier mauled, and such men as enjoy taking the badger are always ready to bear their own share of risk of punishment and exertion in securing the prize. To dig out a badger in a strong “set,” requires great and continuous exertion, considerable knowledge and skill in the pursuit, and a well-trained and trustworthy team of terriers. The terriers must, to be successful, combine discretion with valour and pertinacity. A dog that goes to ground, and immediately tries a “set to” with a badger, either gets badly punished or such a frightening that he becomes a funker. All that a good terrier should do, when despatched underground, is to follow the badger, giving tongue till he corners him, and then lie up to him baying, keeping him there through long hours, if necessary, while the digging proceeds; never heeding the noise of spade, pick, and shovel overhead, and never fighting unless the badger attempts to charge or leave his place. One reliable terrier with a good voice is worth all the worrying, excitable terriers in the countryside. I have seen a dog keep a dozen men digging for hours; and when at last they got to him, they found he was only barking out of the fulness of his heart, or scratching and chewing roots to get up a rabbit-hole.

The scarcity of badgers, and the consequent restriction of hunting-grounds, has deprived the terrier in a great degree of his vocation. As the name terrier implies a dog adapted for “going to earth,” no dog that cannot go to ground is properly a terrier; and no terrier that will not go to ground is worthy of his name. It has always seemed to me a reproach to my native county that the beastly little lap-dog called a Yorkshire terrier should be so described, for though no doubt a whole pack of these ridiculous creatures could go down a rabbit-hole, yet if, by some inconceivable process, they were induced to venture down a badger-earth, they would hardly afford a meal for a brock. For a totally opposite reason another Yorkshire breed is unfitted for the name of terrier--this is the Airedale. He is, as a rule, a game sort of dog, and I have seen one look very much distressed when he could only get his head into a large earth. The preposterous size of this so-called terrier is such that he cannot go to ground; this is also the case with the general run of Bedlingtons, Dandie Dinmonts, black and tan, and even Irish terriers; though when a Dandy or Irish terrier is small enough, he is excellent, and can claim the title. The fox-terrier, whether wire-haired or smooth, is often an excellent badger dog. The bull-terrier, as seen in the showyard, is too big, and, when diminutive, is generally too pugnacious for the purpose, and has too much of the obstinate and unreasoning ferocity of the bull-dog to make a good badger dog. Yet it is sometimes useful to have a strain of his blood in the fox-terrier, if it can be obtained in such small quantity as neither to destroy the reliability and voice, nor the less excitable disposition of the fox-terrier.

When pursuing a badger underground, the dog that does the most satisfactory work is hard, strong, short-legged, sharp-tongued, and discreet; one that is a sure marker, that will not go if there is nothing to go for, that will not quit the pursuit as long as there is game ahead—who, regardless of noise above and the onslaught of the enemy underground, in spite of twisting passages and the interposition of barricades, continues the attack, and never ceases from giving tongue when in proximity to the foe. Such a terrier should not close unless he is charged, and he must not be of so excitable a temperament that he will bay an imaginary foe, or attack another dog despatched underground to his relief. I am not sure whether a good Dachshund (_Dachs_--German for badger) is not as useful as any other. The properly trained sort is only “made in Germany,” and on the Continent he is most intelligent and companionable, enormously strong, very pertinacious, has a splendid voice, and beautiful teeth.

In our own island, the Scotch terrier is hard to beat. The right breed are wonders of pluck, endurance, perseverance, and intelligence; their voices are sharp and penetrating, and their long, lithe bodies are carried on short, active legs; they are, moreover, charming companions, and fasten on to their owner’s affections as firmly as to a badger’s neck. The Irish terrier, when small enough, is a good one, and so is the rarer old-fashioned English broken-haired black and tan.

Digging the badger is, perhaps, the most entertaining manner of taking him. It is pleasant on a summer’s morning to start after daybreak with an eager team of terriers, and all the appliances for laying siege to the badger’s stronghold, in the hope that, after the sorties and assaults of the day, you may return with something worth looking at in the sacks. And there are many worse ways of spending a holiday than in watching your terriers at their lawful and natural avocation, and handling pick, spade, and shovel yourself. Some, however, shrink from the labour and sweat of the digging, and prefer hunting the badger at night above ground. For this sport any bobbery pack will do if the members of it are a sporting lot, are fond of a scent, and can make a good tow-row. Many sorts and conditions of dogs will do for the hunt on a moonlight night, but the best run and the best music will be with harriers.

A game fox-hound, a bob-tailed sheep-dog, or a retriever will come in useful. The course of procedure is simple. About 10 p.m. the badger-earths in the neighbourhood are stopped, with the exception of two or three well-used entrances. In these are placed sacks with a running cord through the neck of the bag, the ends of which are firmly pegged and secured, so that when in his flight he charges into his earth, he fastens himself neatly into the sack. A man should be posted near (taking the wind into account) to make all quite safe--if the badger falls into the trap laid for him. The pack is then taken out, and coverts and hedgerows drawn, and when the scent is struck, a run of a few miles may, at least, be hoped for. This kind of hunting yields its full crop of disappointments.

I knew of one undergraduate at Oxford, whose sporting establishment consisted of a tame badger, a beagle, and a bull-terrier. Whenever he required a little exercise and a hunting-run, the badger was turned out, the beagle laid on after a certain amount of law, and the bull-terrier kept in reserve to recover the badger, should he go to ground. This sporting quartette thoroughly understood each other, and, as a rule, each kept to his own special department. The badger was expected, at least, to give a two or three miles’ run over a country, the beagle to speak to him all the way, and to account for him, the man to keep the beagle in view, and the terrier to facilitate the operation of bagging the badger at the finish. Thus all four obtained in an original manner exercise and diversion. This form of amusement, however, does not appear to reach a much higher level than hunting carted deer.

In conclusion, I would appeal to all lovers of nature, among the best of whom are numbered the true sportsmen, to use their influence in securing a reasonable protection for the badger. And if they will take the trouble of observing his habits and mode of life, I can predict with confidence they will come to the same conclusion as the writer, that he is an animal well worth preserving from extinction, both as a beast of chase and on account of his many interesting and useful qualities.

INDEX

INDEX

AIREDALES, 247.

Amcott, Captain, sent Faraway to Tattersall’s, 211.

Antrobus, C., hunting with Drag, 20.

Ashton, M.F.H., 32.

Astley’s harriers in 1810, 118.

Author (Alfred E. Pease)-- Account of run with Cleveland, January 9, 1882, 209. Best run, 207. Entries of drags, 26. Experience of hare-hunting, 120. Extract from diary on footmen, 137. Master of Drag, 25, 27. Organises drag, 25. Rides in House of Commons Steeplechase, 33. Rode Queen Mab on January 9, 1882, 209. Run with Pytchley, 21. Runs with harriers, 106. Struggle with George Codling for brush, 150. Wins House of Commons Steeplechase 1891, 39.

Aylmer, E., hunting with Drag, 20.

Aylmer, Percy, at meet at Lords Bridge, 10.

Aylmer, P., hunting with Drag, 20.

B.

BACHELOR described by Whyte-Melville, 82.

Badger-- Baiting illegal, 235. Digging, 250; not cruel, 244. Disposition of, 235. Habits and uses, 237. Hunting, at night, 251. Hunting, objections to, 243. Protection desirable for, 254. Qualities, 254. Scarcity of, 246. Threatened with extinction, 242.

Badger dog, qualities necessary for, 248.

Bajazet, 219; pedigree, 227.

Ballad, “Lord Lonsdale’s Hounds,” 146.

Barker winning drag, 28.

Barnard, hunting with Drag, 20.

Barton Drag, 15.

Barton White Horses, 26.

Baysdale Abbey, run by, 217.

Beagles for hare-hunting, 121.

Beagles, Honeywood’s pack, 123.

“Beasts of venery,” list of, 113.

Beatty, Captain David, entertains House of Commons riders, 31.

Beaufort, Duke of, hounds, run from Lyde Green, 230.

Beckford, Peter-- Breeding hounds, 116. Huntsman on hounds’ names, 96. On hare-hunting (quotation), 105. On sporting hounds, 115. Paying “hare-finders,” 114.

Beddington, Master of Drag, 27.

Bedlingtons, 247.

Beecher, Captain B., run to Thrapstone with Pytchley, 22.

Bentinck, Lord Henry, in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30.

Bentinck, Lord Henry, rides in House of Commons Steeplechase 1891, 39, 40.

Bentley, H. C., hunting with Drag, 20.

Bilsdale, Author on pass into, 221.

Binning, Lord-- At meet at Lords Bridge, 10. Gets thorn in eye on Over Drag, 24. Hunting with Drag, 19. Wins Over Drag, 23.

Boulby, fox procured from sea-cliffs of, 149.

Bromley-Davenport in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30.

Brunton, Bob-- At Ingleby village, 222. Performance on January 9, 1882, 224. Takes fox from hounds in Hell Gill, 209.

Bull-terrier not good badger dog, 248.

C.

CÆSAR, grey-hound fox, 213, 231.

Cambridge, ride back to, 13.

Cambridge University Drag-- Author’s reminiscences of, 9. Masters of, 27. Members, 19.

Carina, Queen Mab’s foal, 73.

Chesham, Lord, and House of Commons Steeplechase, 29.

Cleveland Hunt-- Author hunting with, 133. Club rules, 108. Congratulates Author on winning House of Commons Steeplechase, 41. Hounds leading, January 9, 1882, surviving, 228. Hounds, Milton blood, 229. Proceedings in outlying districts, 130. Run on January 9, 1882, 207, 213; length of, 223.

Cleveland hunting farmer, specimen of, 150.

Cleveland, price set on fox’s head, 131.

Cleveland, statute of Elizabeth in force till 1847, 129.

Coachman’s retort when reproved for bad language to team, 179.

Codling, George, struggle with Author for brush, 150.

Codrington, Sir William, Woods at Doddington, 230.

Conversation overheard by Author on badger, 238.

Cornwall, hunting in, 173.

Crossley, Sir Savile, at House of Commons Steeplechase, 33. Borderer fell in, 40.

Cub-hunting, 190. Character varies in different districts, 201. Hour of meeting, 196. Runs in October, 199.

D.

DACHSHUND as badger dog, 249.

Danby Beacon, fox making for, 149.

Dandie Dinmonts, 247.

Darrell, James, buys Faraway, 213.

Devas, E., hunting with Drag, 20.

Devas, E., hunting with the Fitzwilliam, 18.

Devonshire, hunting in, 173.

Discretion, favourite, at House of Commons Steeplechase, 33.

Dons’ view of undergraduates’ amusements, 14.

Downing Arms, 22.

Drag, Authorities not liking the, 13.

Drags, two in one day, 27.

E.

ELECTION, Author’s horse, 9. Characteristics, 11, 20. Finishing first, 12.

Ellis, W. C., hunting with Drag, 20.

English country life, charm about, 158.

F.

FARAWAY, Author’s horse, account of, 211. Ridden by Author on January 9, 1882, 209.

Farmers’ attitude towards hunting, 166, 168.

Farmers suffering from fox’s depredations, 134.

Farndale head moors, 219.

Fellowes, C. A., hunting with Drag, 20.

Fellowes’, Robert, of Shotesman, harriers, 118.

Ferreting rabbits, cruel amusement, 243.

Finedon Poplars to Thrapstone, Pytchley run, 21.

Fitzwilliam-- Account of day with, 18. At Gidding Windmill, 17. Days with, hard for horses, 18.

Fitzwilliam, Hon. H., hunting with Drag, 20.

Fitzwilliam, Hon. R., hunting with Drag, 20.

Five Bells, Oakington, 26.

Flower, Cyril, Home Rule disqualified for House of Commons Steeplechase, 30.

Follower of Lord Zetland’s hounds finishing with Hurworth, 136.

Followers of hounds on foot, 135, 136.

Fox, wild-bred, delight in hunting, 140.

Foxes purchased in Leadenhall, 145.

Fox-hounds-- Characteristics, 83. Colour, 86. Conditions of good pack, 81, 85. Distinct individuality, 80. Following on foot, 135, 136. High standard required by breeders, 90. Ideal career of, 93. Kennel life, 97. Life of a, 79. Made or marred in cub-hunting, 190. Puppies, education of, 89. Puppies, mischievous proclivities, 94.

Fox-hounds and harriers, distinction between, 117.

Fox-hunter, morning loved by, 157.

Fox-hunting-- Condition of success in, 117. Elements of chance in, 160. Existence depends on popularity, 180. John Jorrocks on, 127. Old-fashioned, 133. Pleasures of genuine “hunter,” 141. Variety of incident in, 159.

Fox-line never to be counted on, 160.

Fox-terrier, good badger dog, 248.

Fox’s Bridge, 27.

Freake, F. M., Master of Drag, 27.

Fulbourn Drag, 26.

G.

GAME-preservers and hunting, 172.

Gamekeepers’ attitude towards game and “vermin,” 240.

Garforth, W. H., of Gilling, 23.

Gidding Windmill, the Fitzwilliam at, 17.

Gingertail, Hon. S. G., Lawley’s horse, 10. Jumps gate-posts, 12. On Over Drag, 23.

Gladstone congratulates Author on winning House of Commons Steeplechase, 41.

Graham, hunting with Drag, 20.

Guest, Ivor, Master of Drag, 27.

Guisborough Moor, fox on, 137.

H.

HARDY, Heywood, hunting picture in Skelton Castle, 185.

“Hare-finders,” 114.

Hare-hunter, qualities necessary for, 106.

Hare-hunting, 105. Ancient terms for, 112. Appreciation of, 120. Condition of success in, 117. Modern modes and spirit of, 122. Monopoly of huntsmen, 109. Old writers’ description of, 110. On foot, 123. Preferred to fox--reasons quoted, 113. Scope for huntsman’s craft, 119. With beagles, 121.

Hare, wiles and dodges of, 119.

Harriers and fox-hounds, distinction between, 117.

Harriers turned into fox-hounds, 116.

Heath, Colonel, in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30.

Hermit, death of, 219.

Hill, Tom, opinion of Queen Mab, 57.

Historical MSS. Commission Reports, extract on Royalty countenancing fox-hunting, 132.

Hodge’s Hermon rides in House of Commons Steeplechase 1891, 39.

Honeywood, pack of beagles, 123.

Hoole, hunting with Drag, 19.

Hoole, killed riding for ’Varsity Whip at St. Ives, 19.

House of Commons Steeplechases-- Author asked for reminiscences of, 9. In 1889 (First), 28; conditions--result, 29. 1890. Rugby-- Account of, 31. Course, 32. Fourteen-stone class list, 35. Twelve-stone class list, 35. Two classes, 32. 1891. Result; riders in, 39.

Hunter-- Exercise for, 71. Life of a, 45. Treatment for, 68.

Hunter (human) delights of memory, 144.

Hunter (human) pleasures of genuine, 141.

Hunting-- Apologies and commendations, 163. Day full of interest and life, 162. Love of, a passion, 165. Many ways of, 173. No field sport with so little bloodshed, 161. Opens in November, 203. Pictures, 185. Secondary pleasures of, 193. Should be picturesque, 85.

Hunting and wire question, 166.

Huntsman, description of a dashing, 176.

Huntsman, the ideal, 175.

Huntsmen, hound-men or horsemen, 174.

I.

INGLEBY village, Author meets Bob Brunton at, 222.

Irish horse, condition of young, 52.

Irish terrier, 247; as badger dog, 250.

J.

JACKAL head, reward for, 130.

Jarvis, W., in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30, 34.

Jorrocks, John, quoted on hunting, 127.

Julian, George Lambton’s thoroughbred, 15.

K.

KILDALE Valley, run through, 216.

Killcott and Forcester, fox killed between, 230.

L.

LAMBTON, George, riding in Barton Drag, 15.

Lambton, Ralph, reaching Bishop Auckland on foot, 231.

Lawley, Hon. A., hunting with Drag, 19.

Lawley, Hon. A. G.-- At meet at Lords Bridge, 10. Breaking girth on Over Drag, 23. Hunting with Drag, 19. Master of Drag, 10.

Le Fleming, Master of Drag, 27.

Leeds, Duke of, Master of Drag, 27.

Lees, Elliot, in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30. First in, 35.

Leete, dragsman, 12.

Liverton, meet at, 148.

Loates, T., scoring tosses, 28.

Long, W. H., rides in House of Commons Steeplechase 1891, 39.

“Lord Lonsdale’s Hounds” ballad, 146.

Lords Bridge, meet at, 10.

Lords Bridge, run from, 11.

Love of hunting, a passion, 165.

Lucifer, Capt. Philips’ horse, performance in one week, 17.

Lyde Greenhead, near Bristol, run of Duke of Beaufort’s from, 230.

Lythe Parish Accounts-- Entries of rewards paid for “werment,” 129. Extracts from, 130.

M.

M.F.H.-- Number of puppies of required standard, 91. Office no sinecure, 179. Trouble taken to secure good pack, 81. Types of, 177.

Macreary, Master of Drag, 27.

Magniac, Herbert, Master of Drag, 19.

“Manacles,” account of, 72.

Marlborough, Duke of, Master of Drag, 27.

Meuricoffre, F. R., hunting with Drag, 20. Wins Drag, 26.

Meux, Sir H., hunting with Drag, 19.

Middlesborough, October run near, 200.

Middleton, Captain “Bay,” remark on Author’s riding Nora Creina, 36.

Middleton, Captain “Bay,” sad end, 28.

Mildmay, F. B., in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30, 33.

Mitchell of Forcett, at meet at Lords Bridge, 10.

Moorsholm and Grinkle, run between, 149.

Morning loved by fox-hunter, 157.

Morocco, Lord Zetland’s horse, 72.

Mosquito, Lord Binning’s horse, 10. Jump on Over Drag, 24.

Moyes Farm, 26.

Mud-fever, 69.

Muntz, P. A., in House of Commons Steeplechase, 30.

N.

NICOLL, Will, huntsman, 225.

Nora Creina, Author’s mare, account of, 33. Wins House of Commons Steeplechase 1891, 39.

Norfolk, game-preservers in, 172.

Norman, leading hound, 12.

O.

OSMAN, J. A. Pease’s horse, characteristics, 21.

Over Drag, Author riding, 22.

Over Drag, description of jump on, 24.

Oxford undergraduates’ sporting establishment, 253.

P.

PARADISE Farm, hounds at, 137.

Paulton, J. M., hunting with Drag, 20.

Pease, Alfred E. (_see_ Author).

Pease, J. A.-- Hunting with Drag, 19. Living with Author in Trinity Street, 17. Master of Drag, 27.

Peggy Dillon, Author’s Irish mare, scratched for House of Commons Steeplechase, 28.

Philips, Captain B. H.-- Hunting with Drag, 20. Living with Author in Trinity Street, 17. Rides on Lucifer in one week, 17. Run with Pytchley, 22.

Pike, R. L., hunting with Drag, 20.

Pytchley, Author’s run on Osman with, 21.

Q.

“QUAESITUM MERITIS” quoted, 195.

Queen Elizabeth statute “for killing of verming as foxes and such like,” 128, 129.

Queen Mab, Author’s mare, 22. At Cambridge, 57. At local shows, 64. At Tattersall’s, 55. Birth, 47. Colour, 49. Epitaph, 75. Foals, 72.

Hunting Career, 64. Life of, 45. Paces, 65. “Pedigree unknown,” 49. Ridden by Author on January 9, 1882, 209. Sent to London, 53. Shipped to Liverpool, 52. Size, 63. Turned out, 67. Young days spent in Ireland, 51.

R.

RAIDERS (Dr. Jameson’s) at Cambridge, 14, 16.

Rascal, 219; pedigree, 227.

Rickaby at drag, 28.

Ringwood, 219; pedigree, 227.

Rolles, Hon. Mark, owner of Shamrock, 21.

Ronaldshay, Lord, Master of Drag, 27.

Roseberry Topping and Guisborough Banks, run between, 209.

“Roxby and Cleveland” hounds, custom after kill, 131.

Royalty countenancing fox-hunting, 132.

Russell, H., hunting with Drag, 20.

S.

ST. JOHN, speech on trial of Strafford, on beasts of chase, 128.

Saucebox, Author’s horse, characteristics, 20.

Scotch terrier as badger dog, 250.

Seamer Whin, October run towards Middlesborough, 200.

“Senators’ Race, 1891,” Lines by W. P. Williams, 37.

Shamrock, Author’s horse, 21.

Shooting, recreation of business men, 170.

Shooting tenants, 168, 170.

Sidney, Hon. A., brush presented to, 213.

Skelton Castle, hunting picture by Heywood Hardy, 185.

Sleddale, crossing bog near, 214.

Sligo, J. A. Pease’s hunter, 210. Done up, 218. Ridden by J. A. Pease on January 9, 1882, 210.

Spencer, Hon. C. R., run with Pytchley, 22.

Spencer, Lord, Master of Pytchley (Woodland), 21. Run to Thrapstone, 22.

Sporting quartette at Oxford, 253.

“Stags in the forest lie, hares in the valley--O!” etc., 157.

Statesman, 219; pedigree, 227.

Stowe Fox, Author finishes mastership of Drag at, 27.

Stowe Fox, Author’s ride with Hon. R. White to, 16.

Sultan, re-christened Home Rule, 31.

“Summer’s Day in Cleveland” in Skelton Castle, 188.

T.

TERRIER, meaning of name, 246.

Trinity Street, Author lives in, 17.

Turton R., on fox-hunting in sixteenth century, 129.

Two Pot House Drag, 26.

U.

UNDERGRADUATE’S horse, powers of, 17.

Undergraduates’ ideas of Dons’ pursuits, 14.

Undergraduates’ treatment of horses, 58.

W.

WARBURTON, Egerton, “Quaesitum Meritis” quoted, 195.

White, Hon. R., hunting with Drag, 19.

White, Hon. R., riding with Author to Stowe Fox, 16.

Whyte-Melville, description of Bachelor, 82.

Williams, W. Philpotts, Lines on Senators’ Race, 1891, 37.

Willoughby, Sir John, hunting with Drag, 19.

Willoughby, Sir John, riding against G. Lambton in Barton Drag, 15.

Wiloughby, Master of Drag, 27.

Wire, question of, 166.

Woodburn at drag, 28.

Wrangle, account of, 227. Kennel life, 97. Leads run on Farndale head moors, 219.

Y.

YARBOROUGH, Earl of, hunting with Drag, 19. Run with Pytchley, 22.

Yorkshire terrier, 246.

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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE.

1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.

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End of Project Gutenberg's Hunting Reminiscences, by Alfred E. Pease