262 Hark Away. 



has been instantly slipped from the leash. Away ^o 

 the pursued and pursuer, and after them ride the 

 eager horsemen, regardless of rabbit-holes, ruts, 

 watercourses, and ant-hills. The stag appears liter- 

 ahy to fly over the park, so severe is the pace, whilst 

 the hound twists, turns, and stretches himself '' ventre 

 a terre^^ striving with every muscle to overtake the 

 quarry. There goes Lord Henry Nevill as hard as 

 he can gallop, utterly regardless of what comes in 

 his way, until his horse, putting his feet into a piece 

 of boggy ground, turns a complete somersault, land- 

 ing on his back, and throwing his rider heavily to 

 the ground. Soon both are up again, and the bold 

 and daring horseman remounts his nag, but finds 

 that he must relinquish the chase. Subsequently, 

 it was found that his collar-bone and one rib were 

 broken ; but, such was the pluck of this courageous 

 hunter, that he told me, when bidding me good-bye, 

 that he should be out on the following Monday with 

 the AVest Kent. In pursuance of this resolution, he 

 mounted his horse at the meet, but was compelled 

 reluctantly to give up. So much for nerve and 

 pluck, without wdiich qualifications for the sport you 

 must not go running after red deer. In the mean- 

 while the stag has gone his course, and unable to 

 shake off his pursuers, makes straight for a small 

 pool of water, in which he stands at bay. Then I 

 see a picture that Landseer loved to portray ; sur- 

 rounded by the eager huntsmen, who with difficulty 

 restrain the panting hounds, the stag bears himself 

 majestically, bidding defiance to all comers. It is, 

 indeed, a beautiful picture ; but alas ! his treacherous 

 foes, with the aid of a rope, speedily secure him, and 



