186 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



If any of my hounds be very riotous, they are 

 taken out by themselves on the days when they do not 

 hunt, and properly punished ; and this is continued 

 whilst my patience lasts, which, of course, depends on 

 the value of the dog. It is a trial between the 

 whipper-in and the dog, which will tire first ; and the 

 whipper-in, I think, generally prevails. If this 

 method will not make them steady, no other can ; 

 they then are looked upon as incorrigible, and are 

 put away. 



Such hounds as are notorious offenders, should also 

 feel the lash, and hear a rate, as they go to the cover; 

 it may be a useful hint to them, and may prevent a 

 severer flogging afterwards. A sensible whipper-in 

 will wait his opportunity to single out his hound ; he 

 will then hit him hard, and rate him well ; whilst a 

 foolish one will often hit a dog that he did not intend 

 to strike ; will ride full gallop into the midst of the 

 hounds ; will, perhaps, ride over some of the best of 

 them, and put the whole pack into confusion : this is 

 a manoeuvre that I cannot bear to see. 



Have-a-care ! are words which seldom do any harm; 

 since hounds, when they are on a right scent, will not 

 mind them. Let your whipper-in be careful how he 

 encourage the hounds ; that, improperly done, may 

 spoil your pack. 



A whipper-in will rate a hound, and then endeavour 

 to flog him. A dog, after having been rated, will 

 naturally avoid the whip. Tell your whipper-in when- 

 ever a hound shall deserve the lash, to hit him first, 

 and rate him afterwards. 



