OTTER-HUNTING 



rivers with small cords as men do the fox with nets 

 and with other gins." 



Thus we see plainly that the otter was little 

 thought of in those days, except for the value 

 afforded by his skin. In early times a lime hound, 

 i.e., a hound held in leash, was used for harbouring 

 deer and other game. Such a hound was keen 

 and staunch, not too fast, and was taught to run 

 mute, in order not to disturb the game whose exact 

 whereabouts his master wished to discover. The 

 rope by which the hound was led was known as 

 a Ham, being made of leather or silk. Both collar 

 and lead were often gaily coloured, and adorned 

 with silver. 



The method of conducting the chase when 

 hunting at an otter " with hounds by great 

 mastery " was no doubt similar in some respects 

 to that practised at present. Instead, however, 

 of hunting the drag with the pack, lime hounds 

 were used to locate the quarry, the latter being 

 then bolted by terriers. In the prologue to " The 



Master of Game," it says with regard to dogs: 



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