His first step was to
cut off the animal's head, which he performed by a single blow with his
heavy trenchant knife.
"Give the hounds the flesh," he said, delivering the trophy to Fenwolf; "
but keep the antlers, for it is a great deer of head."
Placing the head on a hunting-pole, Fenwolf withdrew to an open space
among the trees, and, halloing to the others, they immediately cast off
the hounds, who rushed towards him, leaping and baying at the stag's
head, which he alternately raised and lowered until they were
sufficiently excited, when he threw it on the ground before them.
While this was going forward the rest of the band were occupied in
various ways--some striking a light with flint and steel--some gathering
together sticks and dried leaves to form a fire--others producing various
strange-shaped cooking utensils--while others were assisting their
leader in his butcherly task, which he executed with infinite skill and
expedition.
As soon as the fire was kindled, Herne distributed certain portions of
the venison among his followers, which were instantly thrown upon the
embers to broil; while a few choice morsels were stewed in a pan with
wine, and subsequently offered to the leader and Wyat.
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