MAGICAL EFFECT OF THE DRUM. 275 



comparatively few men suffice to guard the passes by which 

 wild beasts, when pressed, would probably attempt to escape ; 

 and the greater portion of the men may, in consequence, be 

 embodied in the driving division, which thus becomes more 

 than usually effective. 



At the Skalls in question, as well as others under my 

 guidance, we had a small band, consisting of a drum or 

 two, and the same number of bugles. This band was sta- 

 tioned in the centre of the driving division, which, as chief 

 in command, was my post. The music tended not only to 

 animate us all, but assisted the people in keeping the line, 

 which was occasionally five to six miles or more in length ; 

 for knowing the band to be in the centre, the wings accele- 

 rated or retarded their movements accordingly. 



But the policy of introducing music at these great hunts, 

 was questioned by many by M. Falk amongst the rest it 

 being considered as apt to overscare wild beasts, and thus 

 cause them to break through all obstructions. 



Right or wrong, however, the drum occasionally did good 

 service. Once, for instance, the bear came suddenly on 

 the drummer, and would probably have made his escape, 

 had not the man had the presence of mind instantly to 

 commence tattooing, on which the beast headed about 

 again, and was off the way he came, as if the fiend was 

 behind him ! 



Two or three of our Skalls were on a large scale, five to 

 six hundred men taking part in them, and what with the 

 band, our guns, and other weapons, we resembled in degree 

 a warlike array. The weather was fine, and the pea'sants 

 generally behaved well. With such means and appliances, 

 and embracing, as the hunts did, a wide field, we ought to 



T 2 



