STAG-HUNTING 63 



of tufters varies from two couple to six couple, 

 accordiuer to the size of the covert to be drawn. 

 While the tufters are drawing covert the remainder 

 of the pack is housed in any barn or outhouse which 

 may be conveniently adjacent. When the stag has 

 taken to the open, the pack is immediately laid on 

 the scent as rapidly as possible, for a stag moves so 

 quickly that it does not do to give him any more 

 law than can be helped; therefore, directly hounds 

 are clapped on the line, the huntsman should push 

 them along as fast as his horse can carry him. 



3. Difference hctwecn riding to stag-hounds and 

 riding to fox-hounds. — N'ot only the tyro in the hunt- 

 ing-field, but the hardest riders who ever rode over 

 Leicestershire, must remember that in riding over 

 Exmoor "discretion is the better part of valour." A 

 stranger in the land should never attempt to take 

 his own line, but should follow a pilot. Exmoor is 

 the wildest moorland in England, intersected by deep 

 combes, and covered with treacherous bogs. We 

 believQ that no man can ride to stag-hounds on Ex- 

 moor in the same way that he would ride to fox- 

 hounds ; indeed, no sane man would attempt to do so. 

 The man who follows stag-hounds must ride from 

 " point to point " ; he can not ride on the stern of 

 hounds. 



One final hint we would give to the reader, 

 who may wish to make a flying visit to Exmoor 

 during the end of August or September, before cub- 

 hunting has risen to the dignity of hunting. Let 

 him not take his own horses with him ! The deep 

 combes and bogs of Exmoor would ruin the legs of a 

 horse accustomed to the flat pastures of the shires. 

 Eor ourselves, we have always been able to see most 



