THE SPRINGER 693 



of sport in which they are to be employed. The 

 dogs of the chase give tongue whenever their game 

 is started, and continue their cry until the object of 

 their pursuit is run down, while their mingled and 

 varied voices produce the most delightful, exhilarat- 

 ing, and harmonious sounds, so beautifully apostro- 

 phised by the poet of the Chase, as already quoted at 

 page 679. The greyhound alone pursues his game 

 in silence, which could not be otherwise, as every 

 nerve is strained to outstrip his prey. And here we 

 find in the springer and cocker, which are required 

 for driving game, that shelter in thick coverts and 

 brushwood, from their retreats, where a sportsman 

 cannot penetrate, barking whenever they find either 

 of those for which they are trained, and thus affording 

 a premonitory warning to look out. 



From the time the springer is thrown off in the 

 field, he gives evident proofs of the pleasure he ex- 

 periences in being thus employed, by the perpetual 

 motion of his tail, which is termed feathering amongst 

 sportsmen ; and upon the increasing vibration of 

 which, the experienced fowler well knows he is getting 

 nearer to the object of his attraction. The more 

 closely he approaches the game, the more energetic 

 the dog becomes in his endeavour to succeed ; 

 tremulous whispers escape him as a symptom of 

 doubt ; but the moment this doubt is dispelled, and 

 the game is found, his clamorous raptures break 

 forth in full force. He expresses his gratification by 

 loud and quick barking, which may be relied on as 

 a proof that he has not sought in vain, leaving the 

 happy owner exultingly to boast, that " he is in pos- 

 session of at least one faithful domestic who never 

 tells a lie." 



The following anecdote, related by Mr Blain, is 



