188 BIED SEIZED. [CH. XT, 



then becomes a " point ; " and if he is of a timid dispo- 

 sition, 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 359. 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. 



322. But, if from inadequate initiatory instruction 

 for I will maintain that such marked rebellion can arise 

 from no other cause in the excitement of the moment 

 he actually rushes in and seizes the bird, he must be 

 punished, I am sorry to say it ; but however much we 

 may deplore it, Tie must ; for he has been guilty of great 

 disobedience, and he well knows that he has been dis- 

 obedient. But the temptation was strong, perhaps too 

 strong for canine nature, that is to say, for canine nature 

 not early taught obedience. The wounded bird was 

 fluttering within sight and hearing : it was, too, the first 

 he had ever seen, and this is almost his first glaring 

 act of disobedience: be merciful, though firm. Make 

 him " drop." Get up to him at once. Probably he will 

 relinquish his grip of the bird ; if not, make him give 

 it up to you, but do not pull it from him : that would 

 only increase the temptation to tear it. Lay it on the 

 ground. Then drag him back to the spot from which 

 he rushed ; there make him lie down. Eate him. Call 

 out " Toho." * Crack the whip over him and, I am 

 pained to add, make use of it but moderately, not 

 severely. Three or four cuts will be enough, provided 



* "Toho, "rather than "Drop," fied that he would have, "down 



your object now being to make charged " had the bird been 



him stand at, and prevent his missed, 

 mouthing game ; for you are satis- 



