Mr. Ashley. I will readily. Towards the latter end of February, stags shed their horns, and soon after fresh ones begin to grow. These are at first very tender; and the flies, when they are in that state, are often extremely troublesome to the poor animals. Whilst the horns are off, they separate from each other, and endeavour to hide themselves from every other creature, as they are then incapable of making any defence; but in about three months, when the new ones have grown to their full size, they associate together again in large herds.
After these observations, the whole party returned to the house, and entered the dining-parlour, and their conversation was interrupted by the inquiries which Mrs. Ashley made, after the health of Mr. and Mrs. Mansfield: but soon after dinner, William renewed the subject, by asking his father, whether he might be permitted the next season to hunt with the stag hounds?
Mr. Ashley replied, that he was much too young; and then turning to Charles, he asked him if it was his wish also to be a sportsman?
“Indeed, sir,” returned Charles, “I don’t thoroughly understand what you mean by a sportsman; and I never wished nor even thought about it.”
“Oh, a sportsman,” said William, “is a man who is fond of hunting and shooting, and other field sports; and if you knew what they were, I am sure you would like them, for I think they must be the greatest pleasures of life.”
“In what way do they hunt?” inquired Arthur.
William. Why, a stag is turned out into the country, and then, fly where he will, a whole pack of dogs follow him in full cry; and a number of gentlemen, mounted on fine horses, gallop after with the greatest possible speed: and they don’t mind what they come to; for they leap over gates, and hedges, and ditches, and ride down hills that are almost as steep as precipices; and at last, when the stag can run no further, he is caught by the dogs, who kill him; but sometimes his life is saved, that he may be hunted again another day.
“What a cruel diversion!” exclaimed Arthur, shocked at the thought of what the stag must suffer. “I am sure I could never take pleasure in tormenting a poor animal in that way.”
“We huntsmen do not think of the poor animals,” returned Mr. Ashley.