298 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



to kill tlicir fox. A judge at a coursing' nrjcting 

 would at once decide against a crafty runner. 



The use of setters and pointers now-a-days is 

 very little understood, and I have really been asked 

 by sensible men on all other points, '' What was the 

 use of taking out a brace of setters or pointers when 

 one would do just as well ?" 



The real utility of this class of sporting dog is 

 to clear the ground in front of a sportsman by 

 ranging it widely and Avell, crossing tlie field from 

 hedge to hedge ; not the one after the other, but 

 each dog hunting on his own account, ready at the 

 same time to " back" a jjoint if made by his com- 

 panion, or to stop at the holding up of his master\s 

 hand, with the word '' Ho " sharply said to demand 

 the dog's attention. The wind being given to the 

 dogs, up-wind of course, if any change was needed 

 in this direction, it should be brought about by a 

 Vv^ave of the hand, not by that cockney thing the 

 miserable '^ pea-whistle," which, liaving been used 

 by men from time imjnemorial to their dogs in 

 hunting game, is as Avell known to all old birds as 

 any other sign of danger, which gives them cause 

 to fly or run. 



It is very easy to over-break dogs, and to make 



