312 WILD I5EASTS AND THEIR WAYS CHAP. 



his business to fetch it, and to put it upon the first and most con- 

 venient dry land ; beyond that, his intellect did not extend. 



It is the same with all creatures, but this natural talent, or 

 the deficiency, is peculiarly marked in hounds, especially with 

 those large dogs which I was accustomed to denominate as 

 " seizers." The pack was composed of thoroughbred fox-hounds, 

 others which were a cross between fox-hound and pointer, fox- 

 hound and blood-hound, and about half a dozen large dogs, such as 

 Scotch deer-hounds, kangaroo-hounds from Australia, and all kinds 

 of curious cross-breeds, that would produce powerful, speedy, and 

 savage dogs. Some of these met an early grave, as they did not 

 temper valour with discretion. The dog that will fly straight into 

 a boar's face, or into the face of a sambur stag, is perfectly certain 

 to meet a glorious death, before its career shall have actually 

 commenced. There are seizers who are born with gifts. Equally 

 courageous, they fight to win ; like a skilled swordsman, they 

 enter scientifically upon the strife, instead of rushing heedlessly 

 upon the point of their adversary's weapon. 



I have had dogs of immense power and courage, combined with 

 wonderful discretion. Such a dog, when a boar is at bay, would 

 certainly refuse to attack unless holloaed on by his master ; at the 

 sound of the well-known voice he would fly straight into the jaws 

 of death ; but if left to his own instincts he would join in the 

 chorus of the bay, and watch for an opportunity. Any stranger 

 would imagine that the dog was devoid of pluck, should he be 

 seen, now advancing with apparent boldness, then suddenly spring- 

 ing back when the boar made an unexpected demonstration ; but 

 with a little more patience, it would be seen that he was only 

 trying the character of his game, and reserving his power until the 

 boar should make some audacious charge, which would for the 

 moment separate it from its secure asylum. Then, at the exact 

 moment, with a spring from one side, the dog would jump across 

 the shoulder of the boar and seize the ear upon the opposite side, 

 thus pulling the boar's head in a manner that would turn its nose 

 up in a contrary direction, and save the dog from a collision with 

 the tusks. This is high art in seizing, and it comes natural to 

 some dogs, but never can be taught. 



The usual plan, when hunting on foot, is to wait in one position 

 from the earliest notes of the " find," until the chorus of voices 

 proclaims the bay. You then tear your way through the jungle 

 in the endeavour to reach the point as soon as possible. I was 

 always accompanied by two faithful seizers, which never left my 

 side; this was a great advantage, as when, after great exertion, 



