HIND-HUNTING. 149 



hounds arc on both sides, and run along the 

 banks, frequently entering and swimming out 

 to the rocks, of which the rivers of Exmoor 

 — Barle and Exe — are full. The tops of 

 the rocks are often above the surface, and at 

 these they sniff, lest the deer should have 

 landed on them temporarily. A stag has 

 been known to hide himself completely in 

 the water, under a projecting bush, with 

 nothing but his nose out to breathe, and has 

 been passed by the hounds. Here, again, the 

 intelligence of man comes to their aid ; the 

 huntsman keeps a keener watch than his 

 pack. 



As hind-hunting is in winter, the river 

 is often full, and then there is no doubt 

 which direction she has taken ; as swimming 

 in the current takes her and carries her with 

 it, and she floats down in the centre of the 

 rushing flood. The huntsman is always 

 anxious to be on the spot when the hounds 

 run in upon a hind, because, as she has no 

 horns, she cannot resist them a moment, and 



