94 SOLDIER AND SPORTSMAN 



cunnint^, and as a rule the last thing he will do 

 is try his stamina by making a good point. 



* 



In endeavouring to obtain reliable information 

 as to the period when dogs of sorts were first 

 put together and hunted as a pack, a deal of old 

 sporting lore must be studied. Probably it was 

 after a breed had been discovered amenable to 

 discipline, and showing courage and scenting 

 power, that the term "hound" was adopted. 



About two hundred and fifty or three hundred 

 years ago a hound that was known as the Talbot 

 was acclaimed the best. He was used for hunting 

 the wild boar and the wolf, and apparently had 

 long drooping ears that "swept the morning dew," 

 a great expansive head giving scope and power of 

 brain, and extraordinary scenting gifts. It may be 

 interesting to comment on the fact that, although 

 folk on the Continent were the first to use dogs 

 of all sorts to hunt as a pack, it was in England 

 that they were brought to their present state of per- 

 fection. It is said that when British hounds are sent 

 to other countries, even where climatic conditions 

 are similar to those of our own, they deteriorate. 



