THE WHIPPER-IN 107 



should be as ready to fly from his rate, as wilHng to fly 

 to the cheer of their huntsman. His presence, or even 

 the sound of his voice, should have the effect of restoring 

 order immediately. It is much more difficult to find a 

 good whipper-in, thoroughly up to his business, than a 

 good huntsman ; and without intending to detract from 

 the merits of the latter, there are quite as many, if not 

 more, opportunities for the display of genius presented 

 to the former. He should be a man of few words and 

 deep thought ; when hounds are running riot, rapid and 

 silent in his descent upon them ; when a young hound 

 speaks to a scent, he will have the sense to wait and see 

 what he is doing before interference, as the most vicious 

 and determined hare-hunters may sometimes be right, 

 and he will take care that the delinquent is within his 

 reach before he attempts to punish him ; a word of 

 caution or rate, if the hound is in high covert, where he 

 cannot get at him ; but if he can get at him, the blow 

 should fall first, and the rate after. 



In going to covert, that is, when the troops are in 

 marching order, the place generally assigned to the first 

 whipper-in is a long distance in advance of the huntsman ; 

 and to the second, a short distance behind him and the 

 pack. This was, and is still, I believe, the orthodox rule 

 on such occasions ; but I shall take the hberty of reversing 

 it, by placing the first man a short distance before, 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 

 encountered, he may drop back within speaking distance 



