66 HUNTING ADVENTURES. 



at pleasure. First he should encompass the beast in her own lair, 

 and so unharbor her in the view of the dogs, that so they may 

 never lose her slot or footing. Neither must he set upon every 

 one, either of the herd or those that wander solitary alone, or a 

 little one ; but partly by sight, and partly by their footing and 

 fumets, make a judgment of the game, and also observe the large- 

 ness of his lair. 



The huntsman having made these discoveries in order to the 

 chase, takes off the couplings of the dogs ; and some on horseback, 

 and 'others on foot, follow the cry, with the greatest art, observation, 

 and speed ; remembering and intercepting him in his subtle turn- 

 ings and headings ; with all agility leaping hedges, gates, pales, 

 ditches; neither fearing thorns, down hills, nor woods, but mounting 

 a fresh horse if the first tire. Follow the largest head of the whole 

 herd, which must be singled out of the chase ; which the dogs 

 perceiving, must follow, not following any other. The dogs are 

 animated to the sport by the winding of horns, and the voices of the 

 huntsmen. But sometimes the crafty beast sends forth his little 

 squire to be sacrificed to the dogs and hunters, instead of himself, 

 lying close the meantime. In this case, the huntsman must sound 

 a retreat, break off the dogs, and take them in, that is, learn them 

 again, until they be brought to the fairer game ; which riseth with 

 fear, yet .still striveth by flight, until he be wearied and breathless. 

 The nobles call the beast a wise hart, who, to avoid all his enemies, 

 runneth into the greatest herds, and so brings a cloud of error on 

 the dogs, to obstruct their farther pursuit; sometimes also bearing 

 some of the herd into his footings, so that he may the more easily 

 escape by amusing the dogs. Afterwards he betakes himself to 

 his heels again, still running with the wind, not only for the sake 

 of refreshment, but also because he can thus more easily hear the 

 voice of his pursuers whether they be far off, or near. But being 

 again discovered by the hunters and sagacious scent of the dogs, he 

 flies into herds of cattle, as cows, sheep, &c., leaping on a cow or 

 ox, laying the fore-parts of his body thereon, so that touching th 

 earth only with his hinder feet, he may leave very little or no scent 

 behind. But their usual manner is, when they see themselves 



