FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED. 597 



permitting it to escape for a fresh burst, or carrying it 

 off, as I have seen done. You thus maintain discipline. 

 The dog will do what you wish, in obedience to orders, 

 not in opposition to orders. The sticklers for dogs 

 never being allowed to nose a feather ought, unless they 

 are quite willing to give up slightly-winged birds, not to 

 shrink from the difficult task of teaching their pupils 

 to stop and retain with their paws. 



220. We have only spoken of instances 180, 210, 212, 

 in which all has gone on smoothly, the dog most obe- 

 diently dropping to shot and permitting you to take up 

 the bird notwithstanding the poor creature's death-strug- 

 gles. Suppose, however, and this rnay probably happen, 

 that he does not restrain himself at the " down charge," 

 but, in spite of all your calls and signals, rushes forward, 

 yet yields to your menaces and halts in mid-career. It 

 is well your course is clear ; you have to lug him back 

 and threaten and lecture him. But should he not check 

 himself until he sniffs the game, his stop then becomes a 

 " point ;" and if he is of a timid disposition, or has ever 

 evinced any disposition to blink, you dare not force him 

 to retrace his steps lest he should mistake your motives, 

 and fancy himself encouraged to abandon his point. If 

 you merely make him " down charge," you violate the 

 axiom named in 255. In short you are in a difficulty. 

 It is a nice case, in which your own judgment of the 

 dog's character can alone decide you. 



221. But, if from inadequate initiatory instruction for 

 I will maintain that such marked rebellion can arise from 



