178 THE MASTER OF GAME 



which should be zvith their hounds and wait upon 

 them in a fair green where there is a cool shadow^ 

 should stand in front on either side of the head, 

 with rods, that 7io hound come about, nor on the 

 sides, but that all stand in front. And when it is 

 ready the Master of the Game or the sergeant 

 should bid the berner s bring forth their hounds and 

 stand still in front of them a small quoi f s cast 

 from thence, as the bay is ordained. And when 

 they be there the Master of the Game or sergeant 

 should cry skilfully loud : " Devour " and then 

 holloa every wight, and every hunter blow the 

 death. And when the hounds be come and bay the 

 head, the Berner s should pull off the couples as fast 

 as they can. And when the Lord thinketh the 

 bay hath lasted long enough, the Master of the 

 Game should pull away the head and anon others 

 should be ready to pull away the skin and let the 

 hounds come to the reward, and then should the 

 Lord and Master of the Game, and all the hunters 

 stand around all about the reward, and blow the 

 death. As oft as any of them begin every man 

 bear him fellowship till the hounds be well re- 

 warded, and that they have nought left. And right 

 thus should be done when the hounds should be 

 enquyrreied of the whole deer. And when there is 

 nought left then should the Lord, if he wishes, or else 

 the Master of the Game or in his absence whoso is 

 greatest next him, stroke (blow) in this zvise, that is 



