84 THOUGHTS UPOIT HUNTlfJG. 



the young hounds in couples when the old ones are along 

 with them* Young hounds are always ready for any kind 

 of mischief, and idleness might make even old ones too 

 apt to join them in it. Besides, should they break off 

 from the huntsman, the whipper-in is generally too ill 

 mounted at this season of the year, easily to head and 

 bring them back. Run no such risk. My hounds were 

 near being spoiled, by the mere accident of a horse's fall- 

 ing: the whipper-in was thrown from his horse; the horse 

 ran away, and the whole pack followed : a flock of sheep, 

 which were at a little distance, took fright, began to 

 run, and the hounds pursued them : the most vicious 

 set on the rest, and several sheep were soon pulled down 

 and killed. 1 mention this, to shew you what caution is 

 necessary while hounds are idle 3 for though the fall of the 

 horse was not to be attributed to any fault of the man, yet 

 had the old hounds been taken out by themselves, or had 

 all the young ones been in couples, it is probable that so 

 common an accident would not have produced so extraor- 

 dinary an efifed:. 



It is now time to stoop them to a scent. — You had 



