FEIvL HUNTING 



crook in the ceiling of the bar-parlour, and 

 sufficient ale is ordered to alleviate the thirst 

 of those who have taken part in the day's 

 hunt. As the jugs circulate the run is dis- 

 cussed from varying points of view, until some- 

 one remarks : ' ' Now then. So-and-so, what 

 about a song ? " The person alluded to probably 

 deprecates his ability in that direction, but is at 

 last persuaded, and the house echoes to the chorus 

 of some well-known hunting ditty. In olden 

 times drink played a prominent part in these 

 northern hunts, for potations were deep and a 

 convivial gathering not infrequently extended 

 over a couple of days. Fell hunting certainly 

 engenders a considerable thirst, but a modern 

 sing-song after a kill is brought to an earlier 

 conclusion than was the custom in John Peel's 

 time. 



In local parlance such a gathering is known as 

 a " harvel," the word being derived from the 

 " arvel-bread " or death loaves which in the old 

 days were distributed at funerals, to be taken 

 home and eaten by those who were unable to 

 attend. 



The average meet of a fell pack may perhaps 

 attract a score of people, but not all of them will 

 finish the day. On holidays and festive oc- 

 casions, however, a field of two or three hundred 

 is not unusual. A Boxing Day meet is always 

 well attended, and at an annual gathering like 

 the Shepherds' Meet in Mardale, the feU is often 

 " fair black wi' folk." Too many people are 

 apt to interfere with sport, and many of the best 

 runs come ofi when there is only a small field out. 

 On big days there is sure to be a lot of unnecessary 

 noise, for everybody seems to be seized with an 

 irresistible impulse to halloa as soon as ever they 



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