236 THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



It is ufual in moft packs to rate, as foon as a young 

 hound challenges. Though young hounds are often 

 wrong, yet fince it is not impoffible that they may 

 be fometimes right, is it not as well to have a 

 little patience, in order to fee whether any of the 

 old ones will join, before any thing is faid to 

 them ? Have a care ! is fully fufficient, till you 

 are nfiore certain that the hound is on a wrong 

 fcent. I mention this as a hint only — I am my- 

 felf no enemy to a 7-ate — I cannot think that a fox 

 was ever loll, or pack fpoilcd by it : it is improper 

 encourazement that I am afraid of moil. 



o ■ ■ ■ 



When a fox flinks from his kennel, gets a 

 great way before the hounds, and you are oblige^ 

 to hunt after him with a bad fcent ; if it be a 

 country where foxes are in plenty, and you know 

 where to find another, you had better do it.* 



While hounds arc drawing for a fox, let your 

 people place themfelves in fuch a manner that he 

 cannot go off unfeen. I have known them lie in 

 fheep's fcrapes on the hde of hills, and in fmall 

 bufhes, where huntfmen never think of looking 

 for them ; yet, vihcn they hear a hound, they 

 generally fliift their quarters, and make for clofer 



* Yet if this were pracftifed often, it might make the hounds 

 indifferent when xipon a cold fcent. Hounds fliould be made to 

 believe they arc to kill that game which they are firfl encourage4 

 to puriue. 



covers. 



