BEASTS OF THE CHASE.— THE STAG. 49 



to the number of hounds which should be brought into the 

 field. We do not think that any hard and fast rule can be laid 

 down on this point, because the numerical strength of the pack 

 must be determined by the nature of the country to be hunted. 

 It is, however, safe to take the mean of eighteen and twenty- 

 four couples. There can be no question that of all the 

 animals hunted in this country, the stag leaves behind him 

 the most lasting scent. We have not unfrequently noticed the 

 pack carrying a good head at a racing pace, for a mile or two, 

 quite a gunshot wide of the line taken by the stag. Indeed 

 so marvellous was the diffusion of scent that on several 

 occasions we were induced to believe that there must be a 

 double line ; and it was only after a minute examination of the 

 exact line run by the hounds that we were convinced that no 

 deer had taken it. 



It must not be inferred from this that it was a matter of 

 no difficulty to run down a deer ; for such is his cunning 

 and stratagem that he will, very frequently, though handi- 

 capped by a burning scent, out-manoeuvre and elude the 

 most experienced huntsmen and the closest hunting pack of 

 hounds. 



As all deer will take the water, or 'soil,' as it is technically 

 termed, as often as opportunity occurs, the hounds must be 

 able to hunt on a cold scent. It is also absolutely necessary 

 that they should be under perfect command, for the many 

 incidents of a run, to be dealt with effectively, require great 

 steadiness. When a stag ' takes soil,' the pack must be divided 

 and cast up or down, as the case may be, both banks of the river 

 or stream. 



When the hunted stag ' runs to herd,' pushes up another 

 deer, and Hes close, it is all-important that the hounds be 

 brought back immediately. 



This operation is often a matter of extreme difficulty, for 

 the stratagem, in nine cases out of ten, is practised in a large 

 woodland, where the working of the hounds is continually 

 hidden from the observation of the huntsman. An old trusted 



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