THOUGHTS UPON HUNTING. 2O9 



keep down the wind : it would then be difficult for either 

 hounds or fox to escape their observation *, 



You should, however, be cautious how you go to a halloo. 

 The halloo itself must, in a great measure, diredl you 5 and 

 though it afford no certain rule, yet you may frequently 

 guess by it whether it may be depended on or not. At 

 the sowing time, when boys are bird-keeping, if you be not 

 very much on your guard, their halloo will sometimes de- 

 ceive you. It is best, when you are in doubt, to send on a 

 whipper-in to know : the worst, then, that can befall you, 

 is the loss of a little time ; whereas, if )'ou gallop away with 

 the hounds to the halloo, and are obliged to return, it is a 

 chance if they try for the scent afterwards : on the other 

 hand, if, certain of the halloo, you intend going to it, then 

 the sooner you get to it the better. I have been more angry 

 with my huntsman for being slow at a time like this, than 

 for any other fault whatsoever. Huntsrnen who are slow 

 at getting to a halloo, are void of common sense. 



They frequently commit another fault, by being in too 



\ * Those sportsmen only who wish to be of service to the hoimds, and 

 ' knpw how, should ride wide of them. / 



