192 LESSON IN TURNIPS. [CH. xi. 



less inclined to chase hares and rabbits, or rush at a 

 falling bird. 



329. On approaching a piece of turnips, you may 

 have heard, "Let us couple up all the. dogs excepting 

 Old Don ; " the veteran's experience having shown him, 

 that the only effect of his thundering through them" 

 would be to scare every bird and make it rise out of 

 shot. You, on the contrary, when your pupil is well 

 confirmed in his range, and has some knowledge of his 

 distance from game, ought to wish the other dogs kept 

 to "Heel" (especially when the seed has been broad- 

 cast), that by the word " Care " and the hand slightly 

 raised, you may instil into him the necessary caution, 

 and so, by judicious tuition, give him the benefit of your 

 own experience. Most probably you would be obliged to 

 employ the checkcord * which I presume to be always 

 at hand ready for occasional use. Or you might strap 

 your shot-belt round his throat, for it is essential that 

 he traverse such ground slowly, and greatly contract his 

 range, (see 197). The several cross scents he will 

 encounter should afford him a valuable lesson in de- 

 tecting the most recent, and in discriminating 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 



* Lest the cord should cut the employ the elastic band spoken of 

 turnip-tops, it might be better to in 60. 



