125 The hoohe of Hunting 



the water, it would put them in great daunger to founder and 

 marre them, or if the water be broad and deepe, they might chaunce 

 (through eagernefTe of their game) to drown. For a Hart which 

 is fpent, will not willingly leaue a great water, when he feeth 

 the hounds and the huntfmen come in to him, but will fwimme 

 vp and downe in the middeft of the ftreame, and neuer come 

 neare the bankes. And therefore I fay the huntefman fliall doe 

 wel to take vp his hounds, and to ftand clofe vpon a cleare wind 

 vntill the Harte may come out of his owne free will, the whiche 

 peraduenture he wil quickly do, when he heareth no longer noife 

 after him. And if the huntefman ftande clofe and vpon a cleare 

 winde, he may chance to haue a blowe at him with his fworde 

 as he commeth out. But if he fayle thereof, and that the Hart be 

 once paft him, let him fuffer him to pafle farre inough before he 

 vncouple his hounds, for if a Hart heare any fodeine noyfe com- 

 ming after him, he may chance to returne vnto the foyle. But if 

 he perceiue that the Harte will not come out of the water, then 

 let him get a boate, or if he can fwymme, let him put off his 

 clothes, and fwymme to him with a Dagger readie drawne to 

 kyll him, and yet let him well beware howe he aflayle him, vn- 

 lefle the water be verie deepe. For if it be fo Hiallowe that an 

 Hart may ftande vpon the bottome, he may chaunce to giue the 

 huntefman a flirewde blowe, if he take not heede at the firft en- 

 counter : marie where it is deepe he hath leaft force. It hath 

 beene my happe oftentimes to kyll in this forte verie great 

 Hartes, and that in fight and prefence of diuers witnefles, and 

 afterwardes I haue guided their deade bodyes to the banke 

 fwymming. As touching the baye on the lande, if the Harte be 

 frayed and burnifhed, then the huntfman ought well to regarde 

 and confider the place. For if it be in a playne and open place, 

 where there is no wood nor couert, it is daungerous and harde 

 to come in to him : but if it be by an hedge fide, or in a ftrong 

 thicke or queache, then whylcsthe Harte doth ftare and looke vp- 

 on the houndes, the huntefman may come couertly amongft the 

 buflies behynde him, and fo maye eafily kyll him : and if the 

 Harte turne heade vpon him, let him runne behynde ibme tree, 



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