POSITION OF THE WHIPPEU-IN. 149 



and the other a long distance behind the hounds. 

 The only use of a first whipper-in before the 

 pack is as a pioneer, to clear obstructions, open 

 gates, prevent the hounds being kicked by horses, 

 going to covert, or, when meeting carriages and 

 waggons, to obtain a clear passage ; but, save when 

 such obstacles are in view, or likely to be encoun- 

 tered, he may drop back within speaking distance 

 of the huntsman (provided the two are on speak- 

 ing terms, which is not invariably the case), and 

 have a little quiet chat on the probable events of 

 the day, which most likely, from the diversity of 

 their occupations, they have had no previous 

 opportunity of discussing. 



In many establishments the first whipper-in 

 during the hunting season is seldom seen in the 

 kennel, having other business to claim his atten- 

 tion ; and it happens not rarely that huntsmen are 

 jealous of the whipper-in meddling with their 

 domestic arrangements, which can be conducted 

 more pleasantly between the feeder and themselves ; 

 in fact, Mr. Huntsman deems it politic to keep 

 Jack as much in the dark as possible touching 

 kennel affairs, lest on the first fitting opportunity 

 the said Jack should slip too glibly into his shoes. 

 Jack has probably once or twice (very likely much 

 oftener) slipped away with the hounds, and had 



