ROE-SHOOTING. 37 



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 ex- 

 perience, 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. 



Here let me give two cautions : always to dress as 

 near the colour of the ground and trees as you can, and 

 when concealed never to make the least motion ; if you 

 do, the roe will at once perceive it and stop short. You 

 will most likely only be made aware of its having done 

 so by the hound coming within forty or fifty yards, and 

 then turning away in another direction. When properly 

 dressed, even should your place of concealment not be 

 very good, the roe will be pretty sure to pass if you keep 

 perfectly still. This is even more necessary when expect- 

 ing a hill-fox. Should the roe take a straight course, 



