Historical 81 



because there they lose the scent : which the thieves and 

 cattle-stealers knowing, they, with many circles and 

 mazes, pressing now this, now the opposite bank, drive 

 off their plunder, and, pretending to make their exit both 

 ways beyond the banks, rejoin at the same spot. In the 

 meantime, the dog, filling the heavens with his clamour, does 

 not desist till he has overtaken the steps of the fugitives." 



In Nicolson and Burns' " History of the Antiquities of 

 Westmorland and Cumberland," published in 1777, there 

 is a statement as to these dogs : 



" Slough-dogs were for pursuing offenders through the 

 sloughs, mosses and bogs, that were not passable but by 

 those who were acquainted with the various and intricate 

 by-paths and turnings. These offenders were peculiarly 

 styled moss-troopers : and the dogs were commonly called 

 blood-hounds ; which were kept in use till within the 

 memory of many of our fathers. 



" And all along, the pursuit of hot trod (flagranti delicto), 

 with red hand (as the Scots term it) was by hound, and horn, 

 and voice. And the following warrant ascertains by 

 whom and where those dogs were to be kept : 



" September 29, 1616. — Sir Wilfride Lawson and Sir 

 William Hutton, Knights, two of His Majesty's Commis- 

 sioners for the government of the middle shires of Great 

 Britain, to John Musgrave, the Provost-Marshall, and the 

 rest of His Majesty's garrison (of Carlisle), send salutations. 

 Whereas upon due consideration of the increase of stealths 

 daily growing both in deed and report among you on the 

 borders, we formally concluded and agreed, that for 

 reformation therefore 1 watches should be set, and slough- 

 dogs provided and kept, according to the contents of 

 His Majesty's directions to us in that behalf prescribed." 



