THE QUAREY. 239 



the successors of Robin Hood and his merry men, continued in 

 those days as in the days of yore, as poaching was rampant 

 in the vicinity of Windsor Forest. Great exertions were now 

 made to suppress this abuse, and poachers retaliated by 

 putting dogs into the pen containing the bucks intended for 

 uncarting at the opening meetings of the Royal pack in 1712, 

 when Lord Cardigan first assumed the official insignia 

 of the hunt.* It would further appear that the herds of 

 the an tiered lords of the forest were increased during this year, 

 by importation, as in May, William Lowen, the chief hunts- 

 man, received 166^. 10s. for taking one hundred red deer at 

 Houghton Park, and conveying forty of them to Windsor Forest. 

 Another important draft was obtained under the following 

 curious circumstances : Squire Legh, of Lyme, having offered 

 to make a heavy wager that his huntsman could drive a 

 herd of his deer to any part of England. The bet being 

 snapped up as a good thing, orders were issued to the 

 foresters and huntsmen at Lyme Park to undertake what 

 appeared to be a hopeless task. Nevertheless a herd was 

 soon drafted from the stock at Lyme, and thence conducted, 

 without loss or damage, over highways and byways, until 

 they eventually reached Windsor, with the greatest ease and 

 safety. Thus, this remarkable wager was won. The means 

 employed must have been superhuman, or connected with 

 subtle art of venery and woodcraft now unknown; for it's 



* " Kensington, July 2, 1712.— Whereas on Tuesday the 17th of June last, 

 some Dogs were put into the Pen at Swinly Eails in Windsor Forest, and killed 

 six Deer ; Her Majesty, for the better Discovery of those who are guilty of this 

 Presumption, hath been pleased to direct. That any Person or Persons who 

 shall at any time within one Month, to be accounted from this Day, discover 

 the OfEendors or any of them, so as they or any of them may be convicted of 

 the said Crime, shall over and above the Reward allowed by the Statute, 

 receive a further Reward of Fifty Pounds, to be paid by the most Honourable 

 the Lord High Treasurer of Great Britain. And in case any Person or Persons 

 concerned in the said OfEence, shall discover any of his or their Accomplices 

 therein, so as to be Convicted thereof, Her Majesty is pleased to promise Her 

 Gracious Pardon to such Person or Persons making such Discovery. 



" H. St. John. 

 ''London Gazette, July 1/3, 1712." 



