254 OF CASTING. 



wide, and try as they ought, his cast may then 

 be quick. 



When hounds are at a fault, and the hunts- 

 man halloos them off the line of the scent, the 

 whippers-in smacking their whips, and rating 

 them after him, if he trots away with them, 

 may not they think the business of the day 

 is over ? Hounds never, in my opinion, (unless 

 in particular cases, or when you go to a hal- 

 loo,) should be taken entirely off their noses ; 

 but when lifted, should be constantly made 

 to try as they go. Some huntsmen have a 

 dull, stupid way of speaking to their hounds : 

 at these times little should be said, and that 

 should have both meaning and expression in it. 



When your huntsman makes a cast, I hope 

 he makes it perfect one way before he tries 

 another, as much time is lost by going back- 

 wards and forwards. You will see huntsmen, 

 when a forward cast does not succeed, come 

 slowly back again : they should return as fast 

 as they can. 



When hounds are at a fault, and it is pro- 

 bable that the fox has headed back, your cast 

 forward should be short and quick ; for the 

 scent is then likely to be behind you : too 

 obstinate a perseverance forward has been the 



