CH. ix.] POINTING DEAD. 155 



right to hope, from his previous education, that he will 

 readily " down-charge " on hearing the report of your 

 gun. Do not hurry your loading : indeed, be unneces- 

 sarily long, with the view of making him at all such 

 times patient and steady. If, in spite of all your calls 

 and signals, he gives chase to the sprung birds, make 

 him " drop," instantly if possible, and proceed much 

 as described in 259, dragging him back to the place 

 where he should have " down-charged." 



266. When you have loaded, say, "Dead,"* in a low 

 voice, and signalling to " heel " make him come up to 

 you, yourself keeping still. By signs (xi. of 141) place 

 him as near as you can, but to leeward of the dead bird. 

 Then, and not till then, say, " Find ; " give him no other 

 assistance. Let him have plenty of time to make out 

 the bird. It is not to be find and grip, but find and 

 point,~\ therefore the moment you perceive he is aware 

 that it is before him, make him (by word of command) 

 " toho : " go up to him, stay for a while alongside him, 

 then make a small circuit to head him, and have the 

 bird between you and him ; approach him. If he 

 attempt to dash in, thunder out "No," and greet him 

 with at least the sound of the whip : slowly pick up 

 the dead bird ; call the dog to you ; show him the bird ; 

 but on no account throw it to him, lest he snatch at it ; 

 lay it on the ground, encourage him to sniff it ; let him 

 (for reason why see 313) turn it over with his nose, 

 teeth closed, say to him, "Dead, dead;" caress him; 



* As he acquires experience he your friend may not load as ex- 

 will wish to rise the moment he peditiously as yourself, 

 observes that your loading is com- t Never being allowed to grip 

 pleted. Do not allow him to move, conduces so much to making him 

 however correctly he may have tender-mouthed, that, should he 

 judged the time. Let his rising hereafter be permitted to lift his 

 be always in obedience to signal game, it is probable he will deliver 

 or word. You may occasionally it up perfectly uninjured, 

 make a mistake in charging, or 



