142 THE DIARY OF A HUNTSMAN 



recollects the hound turning his head, and then 

 goes back and finds that the fox had headed back 

 so far, and hits off the scent ; but he could or 

 would not tell any one why he was going back. 

 It is such Uke trifling observations that huntsmen 

 profit by, though unnoticed by others. It is true, 

 many men who keep hounds are good sportsmen ; 

 but then, unless the huntsman is a fool, he soon fuids 

 it out, and gladly looks for a hint from his master 

 when at a loss ; in short, he must be allowed and 

 encouraged to have a good opinion of himself, or 

 he will not gain confidence ; and if he has not that, 

 he will not have the fii'st and greatest qualification, 

 namely, decision. A want of this has saved half 

 the foxes now living in hunting countries. It is 

 not here meant, that for want of decision huntsmen 

 do nothing ; they go on, it is true, but in their own 

 minds have not decided on what sort of cast to make, 

 or what to be at ; therefore, the huntsman should 

 never be taken by surprise, but be constantly on 

 the lookout for mischief, he will thus gain decision. 

 It is necessary for a huntsman to be thoroughly 

 acquainted with the nature of the animal he is 

 hunting, and also that he hunts with ; for he will 

 learn more from them than from the whole world 

 besides. From the fox he will learn cunning ; and 



