HORSES AXD HOUNDS. 279 



early will have miicli pleasure in seeing their hoimcls work np 

 to Jier sitting. It is certainly a very exhilarating scene, whicli 

 I have often witnessed in my younger days — the chorus increas- 

 ing as the hounds approach nearer their game, and then the full 

 cry as she breaks away in \iew. Upon sacli occasions I could 

 not forbear a screech or two, and although much noise is not 

 allowed in hare-hunting, yet, when in view, a few screams are, 

 I think, pardonable. Although, when fresh found, hares run 

 tolerably straight, yet no sooner are the hounds out of sight, 

 than they have recourse to those numerous devices which in 

 some countries have obtained for the most cunning the cha- 

 racters of witches. 



In my situation as head whipper-in to my father's harriers, I 

 often took great liberties, and got forward, contrary to orders 

 sometimes, to see how any old hares v/hich had beaten us before 

 managed these matters. I have seen them run up a fallow 

 nearly the whole length of a field, then quickly retrace their 

 steps to the point at wliich they entered, and then spring off at 

 right angles, making three or four surprising leaps. They would 

 also, in their circles, hunt the hounds, double through hedges, 

 running a short distance into the field and then returning, 

 running up one side of a hedge, and then going down the other. 

 In stone wall countries they will run on the top of the wall for 

 some distance; in short, their shifts are often a puzzle to the 

 best pack of hounds, with a very knowing hand to help them 

 into the bargain. 



In hare-hunting a forward cast is the least likely to succeed, 

 and, unless upon great emergencies, harriers should not be cast 

 at all. The more tliey are left to themselves the better able 

 vvdll they be to work through their difficulties, and a hare- 

 hunter has no business to be in a hurry; he may sit quietly on 

 his horse, and watch his hounds puzzling out the scent, the 

 probability being, that the hare is only in the next field. A 

 good pack of harriers will keep forward as long as there is a 

 scent before them ; if sheep or cattle have foiled the ground, 

 they may be held on to the next fence, but they should be left 

 as nmch as possible to their own noses. Lifting them renders 

 them wild, and if often assisted, they will not care about 

 puzzling out the scent. Any clever lad will do as whipper-in 

 to a pack of harriers, as he will have only to attend to the 

 huntsman's orders in stopping or turning the hounds, as may be 

 required. 



To make a pack of harriers run well together, which is their 

 great beauty, you must draft from head and tail, keep none that 

 are faster than the others, or that get forward without a scent. 



