428 GAME LAWS. 



that, if he would make it four guineas, he could find his dog; and 

 the amount must be deposited in the hands of a landlord, who would 

 procure him a ticket-card. He should then be met, to his appoint- 

 ment, in some private field, where he would receive his dog ; on con- 

 dition that no questions should be asked. Mr. Lang sent his shop- 

 man, about half past ten at night, to White Conduit Fields, to meet 

 the parties, who, on receiving the ticket, delivered up the dog. 

 But there was great hesitation in transacting this affair, in conse- 

 quence of the dog having on a lock to a steel chain collar, with Mr. 

 Lang's name; and which therefore induced them to proceed with 

 extreme caution, through fear, as they supposed, of detection for 

 felony. The whole amount, paid for recovering this setter, was 

 4l. 17*. 27. 10*. of which went to the man who had him. The 

 rest was divided among others of the " Fancy." The same person 

 who gave Mr. Lang the information said that, if ever he lost a dog 

 and applied to him, he could undertake to get him back again within 

 thirty-six hours, provided he would make it worth his while to do 

 so; because all dogs taken by the " Fancy" are brought to their 

 office, and regularly booked by the secretary. But if a word is said 

 about law, the dog is immediately put to death ; and either buried 

 skin and all, or sent to the bottom of a pond. 



As an instance of this 



A gentleman who had lost a dog offered twenty guineas to recover 

 him ; and twenty guineas more for the apprehension of the thief, or 

 even the name of any one concerned in the robbery. In consequence 

 of the latter part of the advertisement, the dog was instantly destroyed. 

 Whereas, had nothing but the first clause been placarded, the dog 

 would have been restored without loss of time. On destroying this 

 dog one of the " Fancy" observed to his associates, " Vot's the wally 

 of twenty pound compared to a man's life? !" 



(under an idea, it is presumed, that the theft was aggra- 

 vated by some very strong case.) 



If any one of the society was known to be untrue to 

 his comrades, or, as they call it, not " blue" to his 

 trade, he would be marked ; and, if he was discovered 

 in getting any of them apprehended, they would, sooner 

 or later, " settle his hash." 



