OVER DOGS' 



The variations of pace or direction in which you 

 approach the point must necessarily be founded more 

 on experience and the true instinct of the hunter than 

 on anything that can be taught ; but the novice may 

 at least be warned that he cannot rely upon the keeper 

 and the dog, even when aided by good shooting, ex- 

 clusively to make the best bag possible. Rapidity 

 and silence in getting to the point are very essential. 

 Supposing the dog to be young and not very steady, 

 he will draw on the birds, and in a few moments pro- 

 bably get too close to them and put them up if they 

 are sitting very light. You will say he can be checked 

 by whistle or by the familiar ' To-ho ! ' and you can 

 get up to them at your leisure. But they will pro- 

 bably be flushed by this noise before you get there; 

 whereas, if you can get up to the dog very quickly and 

 without any noise of any kind, you may get your double 

 shot, and the dog, even if he runs in on them at the 

 last, can be chastised afterwards. No dog is worth 

 anything unless he will stand without even the up- 

 lifted hand; and to my thinking many a one is spoilt 

 by being so used to this sign and the ejaculation of 

 ' Ho ! ' that he does not believe in the necessity of 

 standing steady unless he hears it. This accounts 

 for the loss of a great many chances, and for the too 

 frequent cry of ' Hold up ! gone away ! ' which assails 



