Between the Prince's claim that what is hunted must be returned to him and how nervous the servants are, Childermass can't help but have a bad feeling about this hunt. Which is why, while he is taking at least a spear and claiming Baker — his Arcanine — as his hunting dog, he isn't exactly looking to make a kill. Instead, he's going to follow his gut on this and specifically keep an eye out for a fox, a rabbit, or both of them in the same place.

He keeps Baker at heel as they proceed through the forest, not willing to let the big goof of a dog dash about for the time being.