HIND-HUNTING. 177 



district where the meet is. In the short days 

 the huntsman often begins his work at nine 

 in the morning. 



When a hind has been found, and the 

 hounds are following, she not only depends 

 on speed, but gives every possible trouble 

 by doubling. She will go round and round 

 a field, like an old hare, and then leave 

 it by a great leap to foil them. At these 

 breaks of the scent the hounds are checked, 

 and sometimes the young hounds will begin 

 to run it back the wrong way ; they are 

 then said to "hunt heel." The ancient term 

 was to "hunt counter," a term constantly 

 found in old books and plays to express 

 the sense of travelling with the back to the 

 object sought. The hounds are then follow- 

 ing the " heel " of the deer. Older hounds on 

 coming to a check, when they lose the scent, 

 cast round, that is, make a small circle till they 

 find it again, and some are very clever at this. 



