CUB-HUNTING. 241 



so often spoils sport at a time when every lesson is of importance. 

 The necessity for such training is not confined to young hounds 

 and cubs. There are some men who hunt, year after year, without 

 learning anything that the events of a single day at this season 

 should suffice to teach them, and a Ttnowledge of which would 

 enhance their own pleasure, while contributing materially to the 

 pleasure of others, instead of marring it. If they would only 

 remember what an unpardonable sin it is to holloa one cub away 

 while the hounds are running another in covert, and that they should 

 not shriek wildly, but simply content themselves with a " Tally-ho ! 

 over," just loud enough for the huntsman to hear, when they view 

 the hunted cub across a ride, much waste of strong language 

 would thereby be spared. They had better hold their peace alto- 

 gether if not perfectly sure that it is the hunted cub ; and, at any 

 rate, all shrill holloaing should be left to the whipper-in, whose 

 voice the hounds know and can trust. There are always experts 

 enough in the field to help a huntsman by timely tidings when 

 they are sure he is at fault. Those who have not experience to 

 guide them will be wise if they keep their mouths shut and their 

 eyes open, watching every turn the hounds take as they work 

 hither and thither among the tangled brambles and tawny bracken. 

 The time for allowing hounds to get away will be hastened rather 

 than retarded by a little patience at the outset. Before the bleak 

 gales of October have blown many of the dead leaves down, the 

 pack should have brought the weaklier cubs in nearly every corner 

 of a hunting country to hand. A late beginning, where the coverts 

 are neither very big nor close together, is not wholly disadvantage- 

 ous. After the corn has been gathered lost days may be made up 

 for, and by this time the cubs are stout enough to show sport of 



I i 



