474 HUNTING. 



keeping the pack steady^ depends entirely upon him, 

 as a huntsman should seldom rate, and never flog 

 a hound. In short, I consider the first whipper-in 

 as a second huntsman ; and, to be perfect, he 

 should be as capable of hunting the hounds as the 

 huntsman himself. He should not be conceited, 

 but contented to act an under part, except when 

 circumstances may require that he should act other- 

 wise ; and the moment they cease, he must not 

 fail to resume his former station." 



To the above excellent remarks we have very 

 little to add. We only recommend, when a hunts- 

 man is casting his hounds, that a whipper-in should 

 turn them to him always as gently as he can, and 

 with little noise ; by which means they will draw 

 towards him, trying for the scent as they go ; 

 whereas loud and repeated rates and cracks of the 

 whip make hounds fly to their huntsman at this 

 time with their heads up. When they are draw- 

 ing properly towards him, not a word should be 

 said ; a whipper-in riding outside of them will be 

 sufficient. 



It is scarcely necessary to say, a whipper-in, to 

 be perfect, should be an accomplished horseman, 

 as nothing requires a much firmer and nicer hand 

 than the act of following a hound over open ground 

 to flog him. A whipper-in, however, should always 

 hit a hound first, and rate him afterwards, and be 

 able to hit hard when occasion requires it. A 

 riotous fox-hound cannot be trifled with, if he is to 

 be cured of his evil ways ; and let the lash fall 

 heavily when necessary, but at no other time. 



