FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED. 593 



this, that after the word " find " * the search must never 

 be relinquished, even though he Le constrained to hunt 

 from morning till night. And it is clear that to make 

 an abiding, valuable impression, this lesson must be in- 

 culcated on the several first occasions with unremitting, 

 untiring diligence. 



216. Persevere, therefore, for an hour, rather than 

 give up a wounded bird. Join in the search yourself. 

 Even if you see where it lies, do not pick it up hastily. 

 On the contrary, leave it, but mark well the spot. Keep 

 on the move. Hold your gun as if in expectation of a 

 rise. Pretend to seek for the bird in every direction, 

 even for a good half hour, if you can encourage your dog 

 to hunt so long. If, indeed, you see him flag, and get 

 wearied and dispirited, gradually bring him close, but 

 to leeward of the spot where the bird lies, in order to 

 make him "point dead" and be rewarded for all his 

 diligence by finding it himself. Let him, also, have a 

 good sniff at it and nose it but let there be no biting 

 or mouthing before you put it into the* bag. Other- 

 wise, what return has he for the pains he has taken ? 



217. It is no conclusive argument against the practice 

 of allowing him to "nose," that many first-rate dogs 



* The force of the word "Dead" preceding the command 

 "Find" that joyous, exciting note of triumph ought never to be 

 lessened by being employed, as I have heard it, to stimulate a dog 

 to hunt when no bird is down ; or, like the shepherd-boy's cry of 

 "Wolf! wolf!" it will have little influence at the moment when it 

 nhould most animate to unremitting exertions. 



