292 The Hunting Field With Horse and Hound 



Master sounds the death rally that calls together stray riders 

 and hounds. A gun is also fired as a signal to those who may 

 be out of hearing of the horn. 



The boar's carcase is now brought out in the highway or 

 open grass plot, and the hunt servants attend to taking off the 

 pelt, head and feet. When the pelt has been removed it is 

 again spread over the carcase and the funeral ceremony 

 "L'Hallah — la curee" begins. In the meantime the ladies, 

 who have accompanied the chase in carriages and carts, come 

 on with wine and cold meats, etc., and a general visiting and 

 congratulation goes on. 



Twelve men in uniform, each carrying a horn that encircles 

 the body, as already described, stand facing the carcase, six 

 on one side and six on the other. On the other two sides stand 

 rows of spectators, completing the circle. 



First the six men on one side play the first line of the 

 death song, the other six play the next line and so on alter- 

 nately through the song, the horns being purposely keyed to 

 make the music harmonious. 



How beautiful it sounds echoed and re-echoed through the 

 great silent forest ! Altogether the scene is quite indescribable. 

 The hounds, meanwhile, are standing in the circle between the 

 musicians and baying as only French boarhounds can. 



When the last verse is being rendered the huntsman steps 

 to the carcase and, taking the boar by the ears, moves the head 

 right and left as if it were alive, until the hounds are quite be- 

 side themselves with eagerness to pounce upon it. 



As the last notes of the last line die away an attendant 

 removes the head and pelt and at a signal from the huntsman, 

 every hound rushes in. "Halt!" shouts the huntsman, when 

 every hound has his nose witliin a foot of the prey, and every 

 hound stops and moves not a muscle, so well are they trained. 

 When the lot have their position, twenty odd, with noses point- 

 ing towards their game and not two feet away, the huntsman 



