'When Hue and Cry had been raised against a fugitive, every man had
to lay aside his work and join in the pursuit to the best of his
ability, anyone failing to do so, or withdrawing himself without
permission, was considered to have taken the part of the person who
was fleeing from justice, and the two might be hunted down together,
and when apprehended, delivered to the Sheriffs, "not to be set at
liberty, but by the King, or by his chief justice."
'Once levied, Hue and Cry recognised no boundaries, the pursuit
spread from hundred to hundred, and from county to county, "till they
come to the seaside," or until the man surrendered himself.
'"The life of Hue and Cry," says Coke, "is fresh suit," and in order
that valuable time should not be lost in preliminary enquiries, no
liability for malfeasance attached to those who followed the chase; if
therefore an innocent man was hunted down, he had no remedy against
his pursuers, but, to obtain satisfaction, had first to discover the
author of the false report. If the fugitive sought refuge in a house,
and refused to open the door, the peace officer might break it open,
and in the event of a man grievously wounding another, it was held
that killing was no murder, provided that Hue and Cry had been duly
levied, and provided also, that the offender could not otherwise be
taken.'