122 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



to collect but once, with my own hounds, for the hare- 

 finders. The money was afterwards divided amongst 

 them ; and if they had less than half-a-crown each, I 

 myself supplied the deficiency. An old miser who 

 had paid his shilling, complained bitterly of it after- 

 wards ; and said, " He had been made to pay a shilling 

 for two pennyworth of sport." 



When the game is found, you cannot be too quiet. 

 The hare is an animal so very timorous, that she is 

 frequently headed back, and your dogs are liable to 

 over-run the scent at every instant. It is best, there- 

 fore, to keep a considerable way behind them, that 

 they may have room to turn, as soon as they perceive 

 they have lost the scent; and, if treated in this manner, 

 they will seldom over-run it much. Your hounds, 

 through the whole chase, should be left almost entirely 

 to themselves ; nor should they be hallooed much. 

 When the hare doubles, they should hunt through 

 those doubles ; nor is a hare hunted fairly when 

 hunted otherwise. 1 They should follow her every 

 step she takes, as well over greasy fallows as through 

 flocks of sheep ; nor should they ever be cast, but 

 when nothing can be done without it. I know a 

 gentleman, a pleasant sportsman, but a very irregular 

 hare-hunter, who does not exactly follow the method 

 here laid down. As his method is very extraordinary, 



[} This, of course, refers to harriers and hounds that are big enough 

 to ride to, but foot-beagles may be handled like a pack of fox-hounds, 

 and it is quite fair to take advantage of any holloa that will put you on 

 better terms with your hare. It is, however, not advisable to lift hounds 

 when they are running well, as there is always the possibility of changing 

 hares and also of losing time by their not settling at once to the scent.] 



