HUNTSMAN 163 



should be able to point with his hand direct to any 

 cover named, let him be where he will, even if in 

 the middle of a wood. It is truly remarkable how 

 very few men appear to have thought this necessary. 

 These observations relating to huntsmen will 

 nearly finish with one of the greatest consequence, 

 which, though often unattended to, should be 

 so most strictly, on the principle that whatever is 

 Avorth doing at all is worth doing welL There is 

 nothing more disheartening to a field of sportsmen, 

 than for a huntsman or master of hounds to trifle 

 with them — pi'etending to draw for a fox, when 

 it is evident that they do not intend to let the 

 hounds find one if they can help it — by taking them 

 through the parts of a cover quickly where there is 

 no lying, although there is plenty on the other side, 

 which they avoid, knowing it would be a certain 

 find if they would let the hounds draw it ; or prob- 

 ably missing other sure places, and drawing unhkely 

 ones, until their time is spun out that they may go 

 home. This is an unpardonable trick. Why not 

 at once say, We wiU go home, gentlemen ? If this 

 conduct proceeds from slackness in a huntsman, it is 

 high time he should be drafted — his day is gone 

 by. But, if there is any reason for his not wishing 

 to find again, let him say so, and people will be 



