78 Hark Away, 



the Master of the Quarm Harriers, a thorough sports- 

 man, said to possess one of the best packs in the 

 kingdom; Mr. Collyns and his nephew, and Mr. 

 Myles, from Dulverton; Dr. Budd and his brother, 

 who have come from London and Bath to enjoy the 

 noble amusement of hunting the wild red deer. 



But I must close the list of sportsmen who usually 

 ride with these hounds, as Arthur has ridden up 

 with the intelHgence that though a stag has not 

 gone away in the right direction, there is a hind that 

 has, making for Dunkerry. Then Mr. Mordaunt, 

 Fenwick Bissett, the Master of cthe Staghounds, 

 gives the order for the hounds being laid on, and we 

 descend into a lovely valley, cross a sparkling 

 stream that runs through it, and the hounds, speak- 

 ing to the scent, go away at a rattling pace, ascending 

 the high hill of Dunkerry, followed by some one 

 hundred and fifty horsemen ; then we clatter along 

 over the stony ground, through the heather which 

 reaches above the hocks of the horses, on and on 

 until the summit is reached, and a glorious view 

 meets the sight. 



The Bristol Channel, whose waters are usually 

 muddy as to appearance, sparkles in the bright 

 sunshine. Innumerable vessels spread their white 

 bosoms to the breeze, whilst the horn of the hunter 

 is heard on the hill, and we are riding at fall 

 speed on a splendid autumn afternoon in pursuit of 

 one of the graceful animals who roam at will through 

 these lovely counties. Then we swing round the 

 hill, and go away with speed, skirting the Beacon — 

 a landmark for vessels passing up and down the 

 Channel — and away in the direction of Exmoor 



