80 HORNS, HOLLOAS, DOG LANGUAGE 



at the cross roads." Toot ! Hounds stray on ahead — 

 " Gently, Rumager ; gently on there." Toot, toot ! 

 "Leu into covert there." Toot, toot, toot! and horn- 

 blowing accompanies every third step of the horse, 

 and follows every alternate cheer till the covert is 

 drawn, and the sound has become a weariness to the 

 spirit. 



Then, when the chase begins and the fox is viewed 

 away, that is the time for the real solo, the "con- 

 certed piece," with lots of flourishes and variations, 

 and every blast no doubt conveys pleasure to the 

 performer ; but we may notice, perhaps, that hounds 

 do not appear to fly to the sound with marvellous 

 alacrity, nor do the strains boil up very genuine 

 enthusiasm on the part of the field. 



It must be observed that these remarks on the use 

 of the horn are in no way intended to be didactic, 

 and must be regarded simply as observations made 

 in the spirit of inquiry by one who has never carried 

 the horn. I have, however, opportunities of seeing 

 (or hearing) a good many different wielders of the 

 instrument in the course of the hunting season, and 

 noticing so great a variety of style among these 

 practitioners, I am impelled to record some of these 

 observations and the ideas they suggest. 



Mr. Robert Watson — whose great reputation as a 

 huntsman needs no mention from me — was of all 

 others the man whose methods I have had most 

 opportunity of noticing. In my youth I often heard 

 his merits discussed by my seniors — by men, too, who 

 were, I believe, well qualified to discuss an opinion. 

 I have heard exception taken to him as being too 



