in the other seasons at some hour midway.] As soon as the hound has
unravelled the true line[21] he will let slip another; and then, if
these carry on the line, at rapid intervals he will slip the others
one by one; and himself follow, without too great hurry,[22]
addressing each of the dogs by name every now and then, but not too
frequently, for fear of over-exciting them before the proper moment.

[17] {emelemenen} = neglige, plain, unpretentious.

[18] Pollux, v. 18.

[19] Al. "intent on the working of the pack."

[20] "To thee thy share of this chase, Lord Apollo; and thine to thee,
O Huntress Queen!"

[21] Or, "carries a line straight away from the many that interlace."

[22] Or, "without forcing the pace."

Meanwhile the hounds are busily at work; onwards they press with eager
spirit, disentangling the line, double or treble, as the case may
be.[23] To and fro they weave a curious web,[24] now across, now
parallel with the line,[25] whose threads are interlaced, here
overlapped, and here revolving in a circle; now straight, now crooked;
here close, there rare; at one time clear enough, at another dimly
owned. Past one another the hounds jostle--tails waving fast, ears
dropt, and eyes flashing.

[23] "Discovering two or three scents, as the case may be";