Hunting the Stag 127 



if you can't overtake him, and bring him back, 

 chaise and all, and I'll follow slowly with the 

 hounds." Tom was soon up, the coach bowled 

 on, and Jonathan and the hounds trotted gently 

 forward till they came to a public-house. Here, 

 as they stopped lamenting over their unhappy fate, 

 and consoling themselves with some cold sherry 

 negus, the post-chaise appeared in sight, with the 

 deer's head sticking out of the side window with 

 all the dignity of a Lord Mayor ! 



R, S. Surtees. 



From Hart-Leap Well -^^ ^o 



A ROUT this morning left Sir Walter's Hall, 

 That as they galloped made the echoes roar ; 

 But horse and man are vanished, one and all ; 

 Such race, I think, was never seen before. 



Sir Walter, restless as a veering wind. 

 Calls to the few tired dogs that yet remain : 

 Blanch, Swift, and Music, noblest of their kind. 

 Follow, and up the weary mountain strain. 



The knight hallooed, he cheered and chid them on 

 With suppliant gestures and upbraidings stern ; 

 But breath and eyesight fail ; and, one by one. 

 The dogs are stretched among the mountain fern. 



Where is the throng, the tumult of the race ? 

 The bugles that so joyfully were blown ? 

 — This chase it looks not like an earthly chase ; 

 Sir Walter and the Hart are left alone. 



