72 THE FERN PARADISE. 



From Fingle Bridge back to Moretonhampstead, 

 along the intricate moorland path. From More- 

 tonhampstead to Horseman's Steps, across four 

 miles of delightful country, and through ferny 

 valleys, up ferny hills, and through ferny lanes. 

 This was our route on the day of our visit to the 

 ferny borders of Dartmoor; You reach, near the 

 Horseman's Steps, a solitary cottage, perched in 

 a charming nook. Close by the cottage walls 

 the North Bovey River, pent into a narrrow bed, 

 roars over the big boulders that choke up its 

 course. Here you have the charming combination 

 of waterfall, cascade, and silent pool. The huge 

 masses of granite which are thrown down along 

 this stream, are in many places delightfully car- 

 peted with moss, whose deep and light-green 

 colouring looks charmingly fresh where the limpid 

 water flows over or near it. A short distance 

 from this spot are the far-famed Horseman's 

 Steps. The narrow course of the North Bovey 

 River is here completely blocked up by enormous 

 masses of granite, and you can only see the stream 

 by peering down between interstices in the rocks. 



