114 Forty Years Beagling 



log, and the dog knows enough to start and follow 

 a rabbit and stick to it without my following him 

 up to keep him going. 



"I am too lazy to run behind the hound in order 

 to have the hound run the rabbit. This applies to 

 a broken dog, not a puppy, as a young dog is apt 

 to be timid, and must have the assurance of the 

 master's presence, or a broken dog to run with. I 

 call no beagle a good hunter that does not go to 

 work as soon as freed from restraint, if it is to run 

 nothing more than a mouse; for if he has the 

 requisite propensities he will not follow, a perfect 

 picture of docility, at your heel and wait for you 

 to start the rabbit. Just one hour of such work 

 as that, considering my excitable disposition, would 

 retire him to his kennel or his grave forever. 



"Now, allowing we have a worker, we patiently 

 await, after reaching the brush, the starting of a 

 rabbit. His presence is soon known by the silver- 

 tongued voice of the hound. Then if his scent is 

 not at fault and he has hunting sense and a level 

 head to guide him. Bunny must soon be on foot for 

 parts unknown. Two to one he makes one or two 

 turns to get his bearings, and to throw off the hound 

 if possible, which, finding impossible, he flies to the 

 farthest end of the brush, and there makes turn 

 after turn while you are working and puffing to get 



