They know that the wood is triangular in shape, and that from this, the apex, they have merely to pass the low hedge in front, and, turning to the left, ride along the lower side, and so bisect the course the fox will probably take.

They know that the 'drive,' which offers so straight and easy a descent through the wood from the park, is pleasant enough till the lower ground is reached.

There the soft, oozy earth, which can never dry under the trees, is poached into a slough through which even timber carriages cannot be drawn.

Nor can a horseman slip aside, because of the ash poles and thorn thickets.

Those who are trapped there must return to the park and gallop all round the wood outside, unless they like to venture a roll in that liquid mud.