A MANOR HOUSE IN DEER LAND. 215 



The lurcher is very intelligent, and quite 

 understands what he is wanted to do. On 

 finding the hare he gives chase ; often the 

 hare goes straight for the net, but may of 

 course follow another direction, when it is 

 the lurcher's work to turn her, and not let 

 her leave the field except by that one exit. 

 To do this the lurcher must be swift, else 

 the hare can distance him. If he succeeds 

 and drives her that way, the instant she 

 is in the net the poacher falls on it and 

 secures her. Hares struggle hard, and if 

 he stayed to catch hold with his hands she 

 might be gone, but by falling bodily on the 

 net he is certain of getting her, and pre- 

 vents her too from screaming, as hares will in 

 the most heartrending manner. By moving 

 on from gateway to gateway, where he has 

 previously ascertained hares are usually out 

 at night, the poacher may catch four or five 

 or more in a little while. 



