THE WHIPPER-IN 139 



follow at the huntsman's heels, but should keep 

 abreast or get on to the next ride, though he 

 must never get out of hearing. 



A whip should be a second pair of eyes and 

 ears to the huntsman. If he sees a hound do 

 anything wrong, at a time or place when the 

 huntsman cannot observe it, he must remember 

 to report the offender at the first convenient 

 opportunity. There are many little faults and 

 vices which, if nipped in the bud by an all- 

 observant whip, may be cured before they have 

 had time to become confirmed habits. 



A hound that has been allowed to hunt by 

 himself when at walk will often have acquired 

 a trick of independent hunting, and will also be 

 inclined to skirt. This is a culprit the whip 

 must ever keep his eye on, and when caught 

 in the act the lash should be laid on with no 

 sparing hand. For obvious reasons the skirter 

 is not often seen by the huntsman in the act of 

 sinning, and the whip, knowing the inclination 

 of a certain hound for this particular vice, should 

 keep his eye on him. An inherited tendency 

 to skirt is generally incurable, but when it is 

 merely an acquired bad habit the necessary 



