The Old English Gentleman; Or, the Fields and the Woods Volume 1

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1841 edition. Excerpt: ... ment, you've the first place in the squire's establishment. To-morrow," said the old man in an important voice, "you take possession of the kennel. Think of the position for a moment. A young man on the sunny side of thirty, huntsman to Squire Scourfield's pack of crack hounds! Why, it's a better place than the Lord Chancellor's, Will; at any rate, a better one for you. Now, mark my words--it's the last time that I shall give ye my opinion as to your duties, because, as you enter upon them to-morrow, it wouldn't sound musical for the whipper-in to be instructing the huntsman in his work. It wouldn't be regular. Fill up your horn. Now listen. Activity--." "What hound was that, father?" asked Will, with a suppressed laugh. "Out with your nonsense," said the old man, pettishly; "activity is the first indispensable for the huntsman to a pack of foxhounds. Before he goes into the kennel, he should determine, according to his judgment, the number to be drafted for the country that he is going to hunt, which will vary according to its description. Never be in a hurry, Will, at drafting; it's no easy matter to draft hounds properly.--Then, at the meet, be to your exact time, if possible; but never before your time. In most other things, you had better be a little before than after; but never at the meet; it's against all rule.--As you go into cover, be silent, and, while your hounds are drawing, place the gentlemen so that the fox can't go off unseen. Some huntsmen don't like to ask a gentleman to stand sentinel; but it's a necessary part of fox-hunting.--When you're coming out of cover, then give it them, Will. Make the hills ring with your hearty voice; let every hound hear the' hark, for'ard, ' so that it will make his heart leap with joy: not...