96 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



warrantable deer had been viewed away by playing 

 a particular tune upon the instruments ; a sound 

 well known to, and heard with joy by, the assembled 

 sportsmen. 



This practice might also be usefully re-introduced. 

 In the olden time there were certain ' measures of 

 blowing,' applicable to, and used upon, the occurrence 

 of different events in a day's hunting. At the end 

 of the ' Art of Venerie ' are given several ' measures 

 of blowing, set down in the notes for the more ease 

 and readie helpe of such as are desirous to learne the 

 same ; ' for instance : — 



'The seeke with two windes.' 



' The deathe of a deare, with bow, or greyhoundes.' 



'The pryse of an harte royall, with three windes,' etc. 



The labours of the ' harbourer ' in the cause of 

 stag-hunting, and in the performance of his duties, 

 are often very great. I have known it happen 

 frequently that he has had to trudge thirty or forty 

 miles in the night and early morning in quest of a 

 stag, and perhaps even then has been unable, from 

 many causes, to obtain reliable information. The 

 master and huntsman of a pack of foxhounds, who 

 know how much their sport and reputation depend 

 on the faithful performance of the arduous but un- 

 obtrusive duties of the earth-stopper, will appreciate 



