Note 18 — Chapter I · THE FORESTS OF ENGLAND.
Reading edition
An old rhyme, full of mystery to uninitiated ears, contained the law of attachment in this case. Any person was to be seized and conveyed before a forester or verderer, who was found,—
At dog-draw, stable-stand, Back-berond, or bloody-hand.
Which mean,—at dog-draw, having a dog in a leash, following a deer by the scent, in order to come upon it and slay it; or having wounded a deer, and following the dog-draw, or guidance of the dog to overtake it. At stable-stand, standing in the forest with bow ready to discharge at the deer, or with a dog in a leash ready to slip him on its appearance. At back-bear or back-berond, actually carrying any forest property away. At bloody-hand, with hands or person bloody, as from the actual slaughter of game. Though three of these are truly called by the lawyers presumption, they were held sufficient for attachment and conviction.