128 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



dry path, and then leave it with a spring, it is often 

 the occasion of a long fault. The spring which a 

 hare makes on these occasions is hardly to be 

 credited, any more than is her ingenuity in making 

 it : both are wonderful. 



Let cavillers deny 

 That brutes have reason ; sure 'tis something more ; 

 'Tis Heav'n directs, and stratagems inspires, 

 Beyond the short extent of human thought. — SOMERVILLE. 



She frequently, after running a path a considerable 

 way, will make a double, and then stop till the hounds 

 have passed her ; she will then steal away as secretly 

 as she can, and return the same way she came. This 

 is the greatest of all trials for hounds. It is so hot a 

 foil, that, in the best packs, there are not many hounds 

 that can hunt it : you must follow those hounds that 

 can, and try to hit her off where she breaks her foil, 

 which, in all probability, she will soon do, as she 

 now flatters herself she is secure. When the scent 

 lies bad in cover, she will sometimes seem to hunt 

 the hounds. 



The covert's utmost bound 

 Slily she skirts ; behind them cautious creeps, 

 And in that very track, so lately stain'd 

 By all the steaming crowd, seems to pursue 

 The foe she flies. — Somerville. 



When the hounds are at a check, make your huntsman 

 stand still, nor suffer him to move his horse one way or 

 the other : hounds lean naturally towards the scent, 

 and, if you say not a word to them, will soon recover 

 it. If you speak to a hound at such a time, calling by 

 his name, which is too much the practice, he seldom 



