WITH HORSE AND HOUND 



and slacken our speed as the pack turn unmistakably towards 

 the sea where we know our gallant stag will stop to refresh 

 himself. Nor are we mistaken, for as we turn into one of the 

 steep paths of Glenthorne overhanging the Channel we see 

 below us our quarry dripping from his recent bath, standing 

 proudly on a rock surrounded by the flowing tide, and watch- 

 ing his pursuers with anxious eyes. The hounds bay him 

 from the land : one adventurer from the pack takes the 

 water and already is at the base of the cliff on which the deer 

 stands. Poor victim ! Scarce has he lifted himself from the 

 waves when he is dashed back again by an unerring blow struck 

 quick as lightning by the forefoot of the deer, and floats a 

 corpse in the waters from which a moment ago he emerged. 



' Meantime the news of the chase has brought together the 

 rustics who are working near the spot. Their endeavours to 

 dislodge the stag from his stronghold by shouts and stones are 

 successful and, dashing through the water, he reaches the cliffs, 

 gains a craggy path leading along them, and stretches away 

 above Glenthorne House towards Yeanworth. But it is evident 

 his race is run. The heavy gallop, the faltering stride and the 

 lowered head, proclaim that his strength is failing. The check 

 has increased his stiffness, though it has enabled him partially 

 to regain his wind. His pursuers are not to be baffled, and 

 their speed now exceeds his. He is unable again to face the 

 open, runs feebly and painfully along the beaten paths, and 

 turning through the woods towards the sea, he reaches the 

 edge of the cliff, just above the boathouse and beach of Glen- 

 thorne. His foes are close behind. He gives one wild and 

 hurried look of fear, and dares the desperate leap. It is done. 

 He has jumped from a height of at least thirty feet on to the 

 shore, and in the next moment is floating in the salt sea waves. 

 Fortunately, one or two sportsmen on the beach keep back the 

 eager hounds, or some of the best of the pack would in all 

 probability have been sacrificed, or at least maimed, in the 

 attempt to follow their quarry in his deed of daring. A few 

 minutes suffice to man a boat, and put a rope round the horns 



38 



