A ROYAL STAG-HUNT. 93 



phalanx of horsemen assembled at the farther end of 

 the wood ; then the welcome cry of " Tally ho ! tally 

 ho ! " is heard, as a fine stag is seen crossing the open 

 space, going in the direction of Porlock ; but, fearing 

 to face the open, he returns to his favourite home 

 amidst the leafy shades, turning out one of his younger 

 companions from his lair, and quietly taking his place, 

 as is the cunning custom of the wild red-deer when 

 pursued by his foes, for we see a fresh and lighter stag 

 moving in the woodland wild. Then again we hear 

 loud and repeated cries of tl Tally ho ! " from the 

 crowd, and gallop away in hot haste, making for 

 Exmoor. Here we are doomed to disappointment, for 

 it is a young stag, and Mr. Warren does not allow the 

 hounds to be laid on the scent. Then wo make our 

 way down a tremendously steep hill, through a babbling 

 stream, along a lovely valley, mounting another hill, 

 and going in the direction of Deer Park a portion of 

 moorland in the vicinity of Oare Valley, especially 

 reserved and carefully fenced in as a preserve for the 

 red-deer by the owner, Mr. Snow, who is one of the 

 greatest supporters of this unique and manly pastime. 

 Very soft was this treacherous grass-grown part of the 

 moor, soddened as it had been by the long and pene- 

 trating rains, and my sturdy brown cob was suddenly 

 floundering up to his hocks in a boggy place, from 

 which, however, he cleverly extricated himself without 

 much difficulty. 



' ' Keep moving, sir," said a well-mounted farmer ; 

 "this is a very soft spot, and it doesn't do to stand 

 still." Frequently as I have gone across this country, 

 I have never known it to ride so badly, and when 

 crossing at full speed over that part in which deep 



