214 THOUGHTS ON HUNTING 



I have seen huntsmen make their cast on bad 

 ground, when they might as easily have made it on 

 good ; I have seen them suffer their hounds to try in 

 the midst of a flock of sheep, when there was a hedge 

 near, where they might have been sure to take the 

 scent ; and I have seen a cast made with every hound 

 at their horse's heels. When a hound tries for the 

 scent, his nose is to the ground ; when a huntsman 

 makes a cast, his eye should be on his hounds ; and 

 when he sees them spread wide, and try as they ought, 

 his cast may then be quick. 



When hounds are at fault, and the huntsman halloos 

 them off the line of the scent, the whippers-in smacking 

 their whips, and rating them after him ; if he should trot 

 away with them, may they not think that the business 

 of the day is over? Hounds never, in my opinion 

 (unless in particular cases, or when you go to a halloo), 

 should be taken entirely off their noses ; but, when 

 lifted, should be constantly made to try as they go. 

 Some huntsmen have a dull, stupid way of speaking 

 to their hounds : at these times little should be said, 

 and that should have both meaning and expression 

 in it. 



When your huntsman makes a cast, I hope he makes 

 it perfect one way, before he tries another ; as much 

 time is lost in going- backwards and forwards. You 

 will see huntsmen, when a forward cast does not 

 succeed, come slowly back again : they should return 

 as fast as they can. 



When hounds are at fault, and it is probable that 

 the fox has headed back, your cast forward should be 



