J48 KOE- HUNTING. 



after a fair heat, will probably slacken his speed, and 

 with the hound scarcely more than a hundred yards 

 behind, course slowly round and round a knot of hillocks, 

 perhaps for half an hour at a time, he will use his utmost 

 efforts to keep within hearing of the bay. Whenever 

 this appears nearly confined to one place, he advances 

 with extreme caution, peering round at every step, with 

 his gun cocked and held ready to fire. The sound seems 

 now at hand again more distant, as it is obstructed by 

 the intervening hillocks ; he conceals himself upon an 

 angle of one of them, near the centre of the knot, to 

 command as good a view both ways as he can. If the 

 hound continues opening near, he watches with the utmost 

 vigilance, almost holding his breath to catch the slightest 

 sound. After waiting some time, should the dog still 

 remain near, he will occasionally shift his position, but 

 always with the same caution. 



A novice would scarcely believe the noiseless step with 

 which a roe will often pass, and the scanty covering of 

 brushwood that will screen it from observation. Should 

 it slip by in this manner, you will of course immediately 

 know by the tracking of the hound, which has often made 

 me aware of its almost magical transit. Attention and 

 experience, however, will considerably lessen the roe's 

 chance of escape. Whenever it takes another direction, 

 follow at your best speed, until it again tries the dodging 

 game. Continue the pursuit so long as your hound is 

 stanch, and your own strength holds out, taking advantage 

 of every pass within and round the wood. 



