FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONCLUDED. 603 



essential that he traverse such ground slowly, and great- 

 ly contract his range see 145. The several cross 

 scents he will encounter should afford him a valuable 

 lesson in detecting the most recent, and in discriminat- 

 ing between the " heel and toe " of a run. Be patient, 

 give him time to work, and consider what he is about. 

 It is probable that he will frequently overrun the birds 

 on their doubling back, and imagine that they are gone. 

 Should he do so, bring him again on the spot where he 

 appeared to lose the scent. He now rushes up the 

 adjacent drill. " Slower, slower," signals your right 

 arm ; " go no faster than I can walk comfortably." On 

 the other hand, the birds may lie like stones. Not 

 until you have remained nearly a minute alongside 

 of him let him urge them to rise ; and make him effect 

 this, not by a sudden dash, but by steadily pressing on 

 the scent. Bear in mind, as before warned 143 that 

 the confidence with which he can here creep on to a 

 near find may lead, if he is now mismanaged, to his 

 springing on future occasions, from want of care, many a 

 bird at which he ought to get you a shot. 



229. If you can contrive it, let your pupil have some 

 little experience in the field before you give him a real 

 lesson in " Gone " or " Flown." Instead of being per- 

 plexed, he will then comprehend you. Should you, 

 therefore, during the first few days of hunting him, see 

 birds make off in lieu of taking him to the haunt as 

 many breakers erroneously do, carefully keep him from 

 the spot. You cannot let him run riot over the reeking 



