WITHHOLDING SCENT. 85 



ran oif will not be found, and w^ill escape pursuit. But by 

 coming up to the place, in the course of an hour or so, some 

 of these birds may be flushed at the identical place where 

 they took to their heels and fi'om which they escaped, as 

 they frequently return back to the place after the lapse of 

 an hour or so to get together again, and on going up to the 

 place the dogs will soon find and point them. I will give 

 you a case in point. I recollect once while out Partridge 

 shooting in Frederick county, Maryland, accompanied by 

 two companions, both of whom were excellent huntsmen, 

 and capital shots, we were in a large stubble field owned 

 by Daniel Kolb. Eunningattheedge of this field was a small 

 stream of water called Keller's branch, which runs into the 

 Monocacy Eiver. We were accompanied by three fine dogs 

 and as good hunters and finders, I think, as ever winded a 

 stubble. The first was a blood-red setter, called " Rover," 

 which for sagacity and nose I never saw excelled The 

 second was snow white, except the left ear, which was gold 

 and yellow, a pointer called "Eake," which for staunchness 

 and trail I never saw surpassed. The third was a sky blue, 

 a cross, (half pointer and setter,) called "Ponto," which for 

 dash, range, wind, and sjDeed, I have never before or since 

 seen equaled. The day was clear, and the air clean and 

 fresh ; the red setter, "Eover," came to a point, where the 

 ground rose slightl}'. The white pointer, "Eake," was busy 

 with his head down trailing at the time close by the red 

 setter, but on noticing him, the white dog Eake edged him- 

 self close up to the red setter, and came down flat just a 

 little in his rear. The blue dog "Ponto" we had lost sight 

 of at the moment, but on looking around we saw him stand- 

 ing on the bank of a small gully, from which he had just 

 emerged, and seeing the white and red dog on the brow 

 had back-pointed them. My two companions and myself 

 advanced up to the two dogs in good style, and with due 

 caution. Arriving at the spot, we were stationed as follows : 

 One of my companions on the left, the other on the right, 

 and myself occupying the centre. We advanced in front 

 of the dogs. One bird arose, and was cut down by my com- 



