208 POINT BY NOSE, NOT EYE. [CH. xn. 



faculties upon finding game for himself. It is quite 

 enough if he backs whenever you order him, or he 

 accidentally catches sight of another dog either " point- 

 ing" or "reading ;" and the less he is looking after his 

 companions, the more zealously will he attend to his 

 own duties. 



356. If you have any fears that the old dog when he 

 is on birds will not act steadily, should you have occa- 

 sion to chide the young one, be careful to give the old 

 dog a word expressive of your approval, before you com- 

 mence to rate the other. 



357. When your youngster is hereafter hunted in 

 company, should he make a point, and any intrusive 

 companion, instead of properly backing him, "be im- 

 pertinently pressing on, the youngster should not be 

 induced (however great may be the trial upon his 

 patience and forbearance) to draw one foot nearer to the 

 game than his own knowledge of distance tells him is 

 correct ; not even if his friend, or rather, jealous rival, 

 boldly assumes the front rank. Your pupil will have 

 a right to look to you for protection, and to expect that 

 the rash intruder, however young, be at the least well 

 rated. 



358. It is a matter of little moment whether the 

 " backer " attends to the " down charge," or continues to 

 back as long as the other dog remains at his point. It 

 appears, however, best, that he should " drop," unless he 

 is so near that he winds the game, when he would be 

 rather pointing than backing (and should, consequently, 

 behave as explained in 274) ; for the fewer exceptions 

 there are to general rules the more readily are the 

 rules observed. 



359. Should both dogs make separate points at the 

 same moment, it is clear that neither can back the other. 



