THE STAG. 119 



As such hound was on no account to follow game by 

 sight, or even to raise his head when on the track of an 

 animal, every precaution was taken from the very first 

 to prevent his acquiring so fatal a habit. His training 

 therefore did not begin before the month of May ; for 

 as up to this time the red deer changed their coat, the 

 hair flew about and was deposited on the brambles 

 and bushes, the young hound attracted by the scent, 

 would be liable to raise his head instead of keeping his 

 nose close to the ground; and thus, at the outset, contract 

 a bad habit. Until May, therefore, it was considered 

 not advisable to begin his education. The state of the 

 ground at such season was also considered favour- 

 able : it was not too damp or too dry ; the atmosphere 

 was also clear and calm, and lastly, as the month of 

 July approached, when the course of instruction was to 

 end, the stag gave out a stronger scent, and made it 

 easier for the young hound to follow his track. Grentle- 

 ness, great kindness, and patience were the indispensable 

 accompaniments of such education. The hound was to 

 be spoken to continually ; encouraged if on a right 

 scent, checked and reprimanded if on a wrong one. 

 And w^hen the forester had been led to the border of the 

 thicket within which the stag lay concealed, and hav- 

 ing ascertained this fact intended now to return, he was 

 not to pull the hound away from the slot and roughly 

 make him give up all further search, but he luas to lift 



I 4 



