l6o THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 



Besides running the foil, they frequently make doubles ; 

 which is going forward, to tread the same steps back 

 again, on purpose to confuse their pursuers ; and the same 

 manner in which they make the first double, they gene- 

 rally continue, whether long or short. This information, 

 therefore, if properly attended to by the huntsman, may 

 be of use to him in his casts. 



When they make their double on a high road, or dry 

 path, and then leave ic with a spring, it is often the occa- 

 sion of a lor^ fault. The spring which a hare maj<;es on 

 these occasions is hardly to be credited, any more than 

 is her ingenuity in making it : both are wonderful. 



f« let cavillers deny- 



That brutes have reason ; sure 'tis something more j 

 'Tis Ileav'n direds, and stratagems inspires. 

 Beyond the short extent of human thought." 



SOMERVILLE. 



?be frequentl)', after running a path a considerable wa}', 

 will make a double, and then stop till the -hounds have 

 passed her ; she will then steal away as secretly as she can, 

 and return the same way she came. This is the greatest 

 of all trids for hounds. It is so hot a foil, that, in the 

 best packs, there are not many hounds that can hunt it : 



