THE QUANTOCKS. 247 



though his haunches should bedeck a table none the worse for 

 this reproach, and certainly the hounds fell to with no less gusto, 

 ■on the portion assigned as their share. 



An honest thirty miles ride home — not at all an uncommon 

 •distance in connection with the wild stag, either, oh ye men of 

 Melton ! — was the lot of your humble servant. The moon was 

 shining brightly over the heads of the dark and ghostly combes 

 ■of Cutcombe ; to help him home. But, again, when it lit up 

 the watch from a still dinnerless waistcoat, and told that ten 

 o'clock was past he ceased to wonder that staghunting should be 

 •entwined so intimately with heavy outdoor luncheon — and he 

 ilaid his head on his pillow that night to dream of " Foxhunting, 

 God bless it." 



