LETTER VI. 63 



steady as the other. It will also save your three and 

 four seasoned hounds from summer work. I generally 

 began cub-hunting early in August; in some countries 

 you may begin earlier. Take your young hounds the 

 first time to an easy place, where there is a good litter of 

 foxes, and not much riot. The whipper-in should first 

 examine all the earths, to see that they are properly 

 stopped, for they are often opened by badgers and fox 

 stealers, after the earth-stopper has left the covert. Then 

 throw your hounds quietly in and let them work them- 

 selves ; don't be in a hurry, and allow no hallooing and 

 bustling. Young foxes, at this season of the year, are 

 weak, and easily brought to hand; there is no occasion, 

 therefore, for a huntsman to be in a hurry. If there are 

 rides in the coverts, where the young hounds can occa- 

 sionally catch a view of their game, you may give them a 

 turn every now and then ; but if your hounds are well 

 bred, they will generally join with the cry after the first 

 ten minutes, and in that case they are better left alone. 

 The whippers-in will be so stationed as to check them 

 from running improper game, and that is all that is re- 

 quired of them. Allow of no hallooing and cracking of 

 whips, which will serve only one purpose — to frighten the 

 young hounds and disgust the old. When a hound is 

 running riot, I have often heard a whipper-in hallooing 

 with all his might, and cracking his whip, and I can con- 

 ceive little Mischief safe in the high covert, chuckling 

 within herself and saying, ** All that is very fine, Mr. 

 Jack, but I don't care two straws for your cracked voice, 

 and I shall have my fun out." 



Now, I have known a quiet, sensible man go down at 

 once to where the riot was, without saying a word, wait 



