THE CHASE OF THE STAG. 151 



and strong as when roused. They will frequently 

 "beat the water" (as it is called) for a long distance, 

 and they have been known to follow it for over three 

 miles without touching a bank. It is on these occa- 

 sions that a huntsman shows if he knows his work or 

 not. The old rule was that he should always cast up 

 stream first, as the water may carry the scent down ; 

 but it is doubtful if water does carry scent except when 

 the deer is actually lying in it. Hounds following a 

 deer at sea invariably give up the chase when they 

 lose sight of him, and the same has been observed in 

 fresh water also. The huntsman should in this, as in 

 all cases, be guided by his hounds. If the deer enters 

 the water pointing down stream he has probably gone 

 down, and vice versa. Of course, this is not invariably 

 the case, and even one so experienced as Arthur Heal 

 is frequently deceived ; but as a general rule it holds 

 good. If the deer be not far ahead the huntsman, by 

 keeping his eye up or down the water, may frequently 

 make pretty sure where the deer has not gone ; but on 

 the steep descents to these streams most men are 

 inclined to look rather where their horses are treading. 

 There are not many who will go down the Devil's 

 Path, in Horner Wood, at something between a fast 

 trot and a canter, and keep their eye on the water 



