38 THE sportsman's vade mecum. 



" Bitches come over,,'' when all the bitches come. To dc 

 this requires time and patience. Out doors they are taught 

 to follow the huntsman to cover, receiving a hearty cut of 

 the whip if they lag or loiter by the way, whipped up if 

 they neglect to come to the pipe of the horn, if they run to 

 heel, hang too long on the scent, follow false scent, fox, rab- 

 bit, or anything else they be not hunted to. With them 

 the whip is used, and severely too, sometimes. And now I 

 have done with the training of dogs, all but the retriever. 

 The cord will apply for him, though in addition to this be 

 must be taught to " seek lost " in any direction you wave 

 your hand. His lessons, however, will extend over a far 

 greater length of time than the others. Age only increases 

 his abilities. The more of a companion you make of him, 

 the more tricks in seeking lost you teach him, the more 

 valuable he becomes. My brother has one that can be sent 

 miles to the house for any article almost, and he brings it. 

 Last winter he sent him for the roast before the fire, and 

 after a tussle with the cook it came sure enough. He is 

 one of the most knowing dogs I ever saw. A large black 

 fellow, of what breed I know not, Newfoundland and setter 

 though, I fancy. Four pounds was his price. He is well 

 worth five times four. For wounded birds he is invaluable, 

 and has only one fault ; he does not " charge," which all 

 retrievers, as well as every other sporting dog, should do ; 

 else while you are loading, and they rushing about like mad, 

 the birds get up, and you lose a chance, from either not 

 being ready, or your gun being empty. Before concluding, 

 I will state all the words and motions requisite to teacb 



