CHAPTER XI. 



THE FIELD-MASTER AND THE 

 FIELD. 



In Otter-hunting, next after the quarry, hounds, and 

 huntsman the Field is of the greatest importance. In 

 this sport its members can take a more prominent 

 part than in any other form of hunting. In fact, 

 in stag-hunting, fox-hunting, or hare-hunting the 

 Field is sometimes the greatest obstacle to a proper 

 enjoyment of the sport, whereas with Otter-hunting 

 the success of the day depends to a large extent upon 

 the presence of a knowledgable and hard-working 

 Field. It is scarcely too much to say that no pack 

 of Otter-hounds could account for their quarry 

 unaided by man. While the Master is engaged in 

 hunting his hounds in the water, and his whippers- 

 in are assisting him by putting hounds to his horn 

 or to a holloa, it is the members of the Field, posted 

 up and down both banks of the stream, who alone 

 are able to keep him informed from time to time 

 as to the movements of the hunted Otter. If the 

 Field simply insists upon rushing up and down the 



