The Quail 39 



shows that he has found scent. Then up goes 

 his head and there begins that beautiful and 

 impressive movement " reading," or " drawing," 

 which ends with the confident "point," which 

 never fails to stir the very heartstrings of a true 

 sportsman. Your dog has them ; and now see 

 that you prove your superior intelligence by aid- 

 ing instead of bothering him. 



There is no occasion for quickening your pace, 

 or for any of the foolishness of which too many 

 men are guilty. Don't bawl at the dog, or go 

 tearing through the stubble as though you im- 

 agined the dog to be an unreliable fool. Your 

 voice may cause the birds to flush, and any show 

 of excitement will only shake the dog's sublime 

 confidence in your superiority and perhaps make 

 him unsteady. Keep your eye on him, and should 

 he appear to be wavering, steady him with a low 

 " To-ho ! " otherwise keep your mouth shut. Ten 

 to one he'll hold the point, for both dogs and 

 horses appear to understand when they are im- 

 plicitly trusted, and to behave their best in return. 

 Still keeping to the right of your comrade, move 

 steadily forward. The rustle of approaching feet 

 may possibly cause the dog to twitch a bit, but a 

 low caution will remedy that. Should he show 

 signs of an inclination to break point, check him 

 sharply and make him hold it for a few minutes 

 while you wait. This discipline is good for him 



