590 DOG-BREAKING. 



or " On, on," according to circumstances, whilst 

 with your right hand iv. of 1 1 9 you are alternately 

 urging and restraining him, so as to make him advance at 

 a suitable pace. From his previous education, not being 

 flurried by any undue dread of the whip, he will be 

 enabled to give his undisturbed attention, and devote 

 all his faculties to follow unerringly the retreating bird. 

 But from inexperience he may wander from the haunt. 

 On perceiving this, bring him, by signals, back to the 

 spot where he was apparently last aware of the scent. 

 He will again hit it off. If you view the bird ever 

 so far ahead, on no account run. I hope you will at 

 length observe it lie down. Head it, if possible, and 

 strike it with your whip, if you think you will be unable 

 to seize it with your hand. Endeavor to prevent its 

 fluttering away ; it is too soon to subject the youngster 

 to such a severe trial of his nerves and steadiness. 

 Then, having put the poor creature out of its misery, 

 by piercing its skull, or rapping its head against your 

 gun, as before 180 show your dog the gratifying 

 prize which your combined exertions have gained. 



211. Should he unluckily have caught sight of the 

 running bird, and, in spite of all your calls, have rushed 

 forward and seized it, you ought to have proceeded 

 as described in 221. Clearly, however, you would not 

 have dragged the dog back to the place where he 

 " down charged," but merely to the spot from which he 

 had made his unlawful rush. If the bird had been very 

 active, it would have been far better to have fired at it a 



