4 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



so far, and hits off the scent ; but he could or 

 would not tell any one why he was going back. 

 It is such like trifling observations that huntsmen 

 profit by, though unnoticed by others. It is true, 

 many men who keep hounds are good sportsmen ; 

 but then, unless the huntsman is a fool, he soon 

 finds it out, and gladly looks for a hint from his 

 master when at a loss ; in short, he must be allowed 

 and encouraged to have a good opinion of himself, 

 or he will not gain confidence ; and if he has not 

 that, he will not have the first and greatest quali- 

 fication, namely, decision. A want of this has 

 saved half the foxes now living in hunting countries. 

 It is not here meant, that for want of decision 

 huntsmen do nothing ; they go on, it is true, but 

 in their own minds have not decided on what sort 

 of cast to make, or what to be at ; therefore, the 

 huntsman should never be taken by surprise, but 

 be constantly on the lookout for mischief, he will 

 thus gain decision. 



It is necessary for a huntsman to be thoroughly 

 acquainted with the nature of the animal he is 

 hunting, and also that he hunts with ; for he will 

 learn more from them than from the whole world 

 besides. From the fox he will learn cunning ; 

 and from an old hound, sagacity. In short, he 

 will do well when in chase to consider what he 

 would do was he himself the fox he is hunting ; 



