were to challenge the dogs; and theſe, when they are followed, do not immediately try to avoid the danger, by running to woods and brakes, though they ſhould happen to be near, but take over the open country; and, when they are contending in ſwiftneſs with the greyhounds, if the dogs that purſue them are not fleet, they moderate their own ſpeed according as they are preſſed. But, if they are very fleet, they then run as faſt as they can; and, when running in an open country, if they find themſelves ſo preſſed by a good dog, that they perceive his ſhadow, they try to throw him beyond them by frequent turns, making for the woods, or the neareſt ſhelter they know of; and this is a ſure ſign that the Hare is overmatched by the dog. The true Sportſman does not take out his dogs to deſtroy the Hares, but for the ſake of the courſe, and the conteſt between the dogs and the Hare, and is glad if the Hare eſcapes; and, if ſhe flies to ſome brake that is too thin to hide her, and tries to conceal herſelf, and ſeems to decline the conteſt, he will call of the dogs, eſpecially if ſhe has
Page:Cynegetica.djvu/71
from Arrian.
55
E4
run