CHAPTER SIX. 



THE HUNTSMAN. 



THERE may be some truth in the old saying that 

 , a huntsman is born and not made, but Uke 

 the majority of ancient saws it is not quite 

 correct. The few men born with the gift certainly 

 seem to hunt a fox by natural instinct without the 

 exercise of much brain power, but the ease with which 

 they accompUsh their object is apt to make them 

 careless. Then it should not be forgotten that this 

 hunting instinct, inherited from distant ancestors, 

 may be strong enough in youth, but Uke all inherited 

 quaUties, will fade with age. The *' heaven born " 

 huntsman, therefore, who does not use his brains and 

 gain knowledge by experience, will find in later life 

 he has lost the art of anticipating a fox's movements. 

 Also, there is the possible danger that the man specially 

 gifted by nature may develope a conceit and place 

 greater confidence in himself than in his hounds. This 

 is a grievous error that must eventually lead to disaster. 

 It is, of course, essential that a huntsman should have 

 confidence in his own abilities in order to make Hghtning 

 decisions and act on them promptly ; but unless he has 

 perfect trust in his hounds he will be at a loss when his 

 own cunning fails. 



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