Related article: fore it is evident that, in the judgment of irresponsible critics, neither master nor huntsman can possibly know anything about otter-hunting. Exhaustive know- ledge of otter-hunting is not ex- pected of the casual visitor ; but while he can do much towards making or marring the success of a day, he is prone to err through ignorance. A hunt with a well- conducted field is a pleasure to the master and huntsman who are anxious to see and show good sport, but a hunt with an excited and — must I say it? — unruly crowd behind, and as often as no before, them makes a pain of pleasure. The average supporter of a pack of hounds would earn the gratitude of more enthusiastic sportsmen, if he could prevail upon himself to get up earlier. In the district in which I usually hunt, for in- stance, the Rizatriptan 10mg meets are generally at eight. Very often they might easily be at seven, and, when at the kennels, at six. The master would like to have it so, as would the huntsman and all good sports- men. But there are among us weak - kneed brethren such as those apostrophised by Solomon, men who won't get up early, and the hour fixed must be one to suit their convenience, otherwise there would be a danger of losing their subscriptions, which the pack could ill aflford. You know, Buy Rizatriptan oh, sleepy one, that hounds will speak to a drag twenty-four hours old, and the later the meet the further down the river the trail must have floated ; that the chances of a kill are decreased in ratio with the lateness of the start. But I don't think you quite realise that your preference for an extra hour or two in bed of a morn- ing goes a long way to spoil sport. Certain people, especially ladies, have weird ideas as to otter-hunt- ing. They, assert, with much confidence, that it is detestably cruel, and ask where the sport comes in. I once met a man who couldn't see the fun of Gilbert's operas. I made an effijrt — an honest struggle — to help him, but had to give it up. I give up the other conundrum, too. If people cannot appreciate the sport of hunting on their own account, nobody else can help them. Hu- I20 BAILY S MAGAZINE. lAUGUST mane people have every right to their own opinion, of course ; but it occasionally happens that those opinions are forced upon others to the disadvantge of the latter. It was on a river up in the north. The otter, which had been twice worried, had got into a deep pool, and there was danger of its drowning from exhaustion, and so being lost and left to putrefy at the bottom. At this moment a boat came in sight, and we hailed it as enthusiastically as did the Ancient Mariner the phantom ship. I confess that, as the boat drew slowly, very slowly nearer, my heart sank as did the heart of that interesting seaman. In the stem were seated two girls of solemn aspect ; the rower was clad in black — black boots, black trousers, black waistcoat, black frock-coat, black bootlace for a tie round his blackish collar, blackish neck and black top-hat. He was a very crow among humans, and looked as much at home as a crow in the boat. I think we all took in the hopelessness of the situation at a glance. Of course that black, black man would not let us have the boat. One of the girls asked con- temptuously the old sphinx-like question, ** Where does the sport come in ? '* and I had politely begun an elementary sketch of the life habit of the otter, laying special stress on the mischief it did a salmon river, when, thank goodness, there came a ** tally-ho," and the course of instruction had to be indefinitely postponed. The first thing Rizatriptan Benzoate for the follower of otter-hounds to consider is equipment. It is always advis- able, if going far from your own headquarters, to have a change of clothes ready at the most con- venient hotel. If you have, as I had once in my " salad days," to wait for over an hour at a railway station, wet nearly to the waist, and then' travel for three-quarters of an hour, you will probably pay heavily for the experience with a chill, and one of the many maladies sired by a chill to follow. For a man, the ordinary knicker- bocker suit is the best. Strong boots, are, of course, essential, and I should recommend half- gaiters. Even if it is not neces- sary to wade, the grass is so wet with dew that one's stockings are bound to get drenched, and a slap across the wet shin from a bramble is not a thing to be desired. A pole, if taken, should be for use, not for show. Let him also carry a flask of whisky, neat (there is always plenty of water in the river), and very many more sand- wiches than he requires for his own consumption. A large per- centage of visitors who ought to know better go out unprovisioned, and it is not pleasant when you see a lady completely done up and qualifying for a splitting head- ache, to be unable to give her a sandwich and a stifif dose of that whisky which experience has taught you to bring, and set her on her feet again. It is more difficult to advise a lady about her dress, as I do not understand very much about these matters. Perhaps the best thing I can do is to describe an outfit I once saw, which appeared to me to be a model one. The boots were thick-soled and stout, reaching to the calf, to keep off the dew. The skirt, of coarse serge, was short and lined at the bottom with leather. This last provision was wise indeed. It not only prevents the cloth from tear- ing and ravelling out, it also keeps the skirt from clinging, and from information received I understand that a wet, clinging skirt is not comfortable. The upper works were, I think, a blouse of sorts. I900.] OTTER-HUNTING. 121 and a neatly rolled waterproof slung over the back — very useful this is in case it comes on to rain, and also for sitting on, if the grass is damp ; it generally is. The lady wore a straw hat adorned with a Jock Scott. Some affect a