124 RED DEER. 



rocky fragments. Very good sportsmen fresh 

 to the country frequently hesitate to ride 

 down, not so much on their own account, as 

 that of their horses, unused to such footing. 

 It is observed, indeed, that the fast hunters of 

 other countries are not so good for riding in 

 Eed Deer Land as a stouter, more cob -like 

 and less valuable horse. At the bottom of 

 the coombe a stream of water always flows, 

 sometimes only a rivulet, sometimes a wide 

 brook, but usually rocky, and awkward to 

 cross. The climb on the opposite side is 

 equally steep, so that a light-built fast horse 

 is soon beaten. Through many of these 

 coombes, which are in effect narrow valleys, 

 there is no riding at all except by certain 

 paths, so that it is necessary either to have a 

 full knowledge of the country, or to closely 

 follow those who do know it. 



The huntsman who has been riding these 

 mountain-like paths for twenty-seven years 

 thinks that the best plan is to keep a horse 

 rattling along, to let him go, and not to check 



