THE LOST FALCON 157 



slow, bewildered, the temptation was irresistible. 

 Tethered as she was, the hawk raised her wings, 

 poised herself for an instant, and darted from the 

 block. The leash, insecurely fastened, gave way, and 

 she dashed off in chase. 



Falconry has many anxieties and disappointments ; 

 but few mishaps occasion more concern than the flight 

 of a hawk before the "jesses," or straps which secure 

 her ankles, have been separated. In this case the thin 

 leather strap or " leash " which is used as a tether was 

 still attached to the jesses at one end. Consequently 

 the danger of her being entangled in a tree or hung up 

 by the heels to die miserably of exhaustion was in- 

 creased. If, as was most probable, she killed her 

 quarry, she would be likely to remain in the enclosed 

 country. But beyond and above the village rose the 

 chalk hills, on the summit of which she was usually 

 flown ; and to these, if she missed her prey, she would 

 probably direct her flight. On these the danger from 

 trees was lessened ; for time and the hand of man have 

 robbed the downs of timber. Here, from the Vale of 

 the White Horse, commences the tract of Downs, the 

 great chalk plateau lying between Wantage and Salis- 

 bury, the land of sheep. Travellers by the Great 

 Western Railway see its outer wall between Didcot and 

 Swindon and mark its main bastions, the White Horse 

 Hill and Lyddington Castle. From the railroad it 

 appears like a single range ; but within this lies, ridge 

 behind ridge, the mysterious Down country a land of 

 rounded outline and soft shadows, of shepherds' huts 



