THE WHIPPER-IN 77 



chance than the Gentleman-Huntsman who never feeds his 

 hounds, for he at all events does not lick them, and an animal 

 remembers a blow much longer than he does a bellyful of 

 meat. 



In addition to this, the Huntsman Whipper-in generally has 

 the pack pawned off upon him, under disadvantageous circum- 

 stances — during a hurricane perhaps — or at some out of the 

 way, or interminable woodland meet, or during doubtful, 

 changing, frost catching weather. Of all trials, however, that 

 of wind is the worst. " Take not out your hounds in a very 

 windy or bad day," says Beckford, and hundreds of Masters 

 and servants must have echoed the sentiment. 



A Huntsman Whipper-in has not a fair chance under such 

 circumstances, and if we were a Gentleman-Huntsman, and 

 thought the day too windy to go out ourself, we would keep 

 the hounds at home rather than risk an accident by sending 

 them out in such critical times, different to what they usually 

 go. Wind is the very deuce and all in hunting. Fancy being 

 pinned, as we have been, horse and all, on the top of a hill, 

 coat laps flying out, one hand grasping the hat, the other the 

 reins, with the horse snorting and sticking his feet into the 

 ground for fear of being blown over, and then let a man ask 

 himself if that is pleasure. Pleasure ! We would rather pick 

 oakum or work the treadmill under cover. 



" On windy days, or such as are not likely to afford any 

 scent for hounds, it is better, I think," says Beckford, " to 

 send the hounds to be exercised on the turnpike-road ; it will 

 do them less harm than hunting with them might do, and 

 more good than if they were to remain confined in their 

 kennel ; for though nothing makes hounds so handy as taking 

 them out often, nothing inclines them so much to riot as 

 taking them out to Juoit when there is little or no scent, 

 and particularly on windy days, when they cannot hear one 

 another." 



