The whole wood was at once in commotion,--men and women riding hither and thither, not in accordance with any judgment; but as they saw or thought they saw others riding who were supposed to have judgment.

To get away well is so very much! And to get away well is often so very difficult! There are so many things of which the horseman is bound to think in that moment.

Which way does the wind blow?
And then, though a fox will not long run up wind, he will break covert up wind, as often as not.

From which of the various rides can you find a fair exit into the open country, without a chance of breaking your neck before the run begins?
When you hear some wild halloa, informing you that one fox has gone in the direction exactly opposite to that in which the hounds are hunting, are you sure that the noise is not made about a second fox?
On all these matters you are bound to make up your mind without losing a moment; and if you make up your mind wrongly the five pounds you have invested in that day's amusement will have been spent for nothing.

Phineas and Madame Goesler were in the very centre of the wood when Spooner rushed away from them down one of the rides on hearing Dido's voice; and at that time they were in a crowd.