The Field-Master and the Field. i33 



to do. They should never presume to interfere 

 with hounds, be chary of remarks to the hunts- 

 man when he draws nigh them, and never attempt 

 to touch the Otter with their poles, a stick, or their 

 hands, unless expressly asked to " tail " him with 

 the last-named, and then only if they are sure they 

 can manage a none too easy task. An Otter can give 

 one a nasty bite, but fortunately it is a clean bite, 

 and heals quickly. 



When the Otter has broken the stickle of which 

 you are a member, get out on the bank and look 

 out until the Otter is signalled below. Then if you 

 are asked to go down and form a fresh stickle do 

 soj if not, stand still until he comes up again, when 

 you can re-enter the original stickle and try to do 

 better than last time. 



Whatever mistakes you make, and however much 

 you may be abused, or even sworn at, by the Master 

 in consequence, you must say nothing in return, but 

 stick to your post or go elsewhere as he shall direct. 

 If you want to justify any conduct of which he has 

 complained, wait until after the kill : he will then 

 be much more likely to listen to and appreciate your 

 arguments, if not to explain that he acted under a 

 misapprehension of your motives. 



If you see anyone doing anything flagrantly 

 wrong — such as an ill-conditioned boy striking hounds 

 with a stick — and neither the Master nor any other 



