At
the same time she was accustomed to the presence of greyhounds, for
without the aid of these she would never be able to bring down her
quarry. For the Pathan saying is: "The first day a ravine deer is born a
fleet man may catch it; the second day a dog; and the third day no one!"
The hawks, which were flown in pairs, were now taken into the field,
keen set, to use a term in falconry; that is very hungry, but not
weakened or disheartened by hunger. Directly a herd of deer was sighted
the hawks were cast loose, and, soaring up, soon descried a seemingly
familiar object with a pair of antlers, between which there was
doubtless a delicious meal. Off, therefore, they went straight for the
quarry, and, stooping, struck for the deer's antlers. Naturally,
however, no bird of that size could bring a deer to earth, or even stop
him unaided; but the hawks had done their initial work, and the riders,
with a couple of greyhounds leashed to the stirrup, rode hard for the
spot where the hawks were striking, and let slip the hounds.
The rattle of hoofs at once stampeded the deer, and then the chase
began. The hawks, in turn towering and stooping, showed the line to
take, for the deer was invisible to the dogs, and generally to the
riders. But the dogs had learnt to work by the hawks, and cutting a
corner here, or favoured by a jink there, gradually closed up, the part
of the hawks being, by constant striking, to delay and confuse the deer.
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