The Ncic Forest : vV.s 777.sMn/ <tn<l its Scenery. 



Bridge, and skirting on each side of the road the beeches of 

 Holme Hill, and passing through Boldrewood, you make your 

 way eastward across the stream below the Withy Bed Hat, and 

 go through the woods of Puckpits and Stonehard. 



Another road to the Stone is through Minestead by a foot- 

 path which crosses Mr. Compton's park, dotted with cottages, 

 each with its garden full in the summer and autumn of flowers 

 yellow Aaron-rods, pink candy-tufts, colchicums, and marigolds, 

 and tall sheaves of grey Michaelmas daisies. 



In the village stands "The Faithful Servant," copied from 

 the well-known picture at Winchester College. A little farther 

 on we ascend the hill, the village orchards full of Mary-apples 

 and Morrisses mingling their blossoms, in the spring, with 

 the green Forest oaks. As we reach the top, suddenly there 

 opens out one long view. On the north-east rise the hills 

 beyond Winchester ; but the " White City " is hidden in their 

 valley. To the east lies Southampton, with its houses by the 

 water-side; and to the north, across the woods of Prior's Acre, 

 gleam the green Wiltshire downs lit up by the sunlight. 



Close to us, among its beeches, remains the site of Castle 

 Malwood, with its single trench and Forest lodge, where Rufus 

 probably feasted before his death ; and down in the valley stands 

 the Stone which tells the spot where he is said to have fallen. 



It will be as well to repeat the story, as told by the two 

 Chroniclers who give the fullest account, with all its omens and 

 apparitions. The King had gone to bed on the evening of the 

 1st of August, and was suddenly awoke by a fearful vision. 

 He dreamt that he was bled, and the stream of blood, pouring 

 up to heaven, clouded the very day. His attendants, hearing 

 his cries to the Virgin, rushed in with lights, and stayed with 

 him all that night. Morning dawned : and Robert Fitz Hamon, 



92 



