THE CHASE OF THE WILD DEER. 149 



board and started in pursuit of the stag. Some time 

 elapsed before the boat returned with the stag in 

 tow, and landing him just where he had left the 

 shore, he soon yielded up his life. The boatmen, 

 who said they had never seen a stag before, were 

 much interested, but had to hasten on board their 

 craft not to lose the tide. 



The stag proved to be a very old one with hardly 

 any points on his perfect horn. In other words he 

 was what is called a " bater," because his antlers, 

 having attained in previous years their perfection of 

 twelve or more points, have commenced to abate 

 some of their number. The broken horn was only 

 about eight inches long, and attached to it was another 

 piece of about the same length swinging loose, and 

 attached only by skin. This horn had only one point, 

 the " brow." 



Meanwhile the ladies, who had gone so well in 

 the previous run, and who were living at Porlock, 

 which is close to, had heard the hounds and hurried 

 out to see. They hospitably invited us to their house. 

 Both there and afterwards the discussion on the 

 question, " Which was the finer run?" raged hotly, 

 and even I, who played my part in both, find it hard 

 to answer. One thing is clear, that since that season 

 neither has been equalled, far less surpassed. I 

 recently read in the papers that Mr. Basset's delicate 

 health has forced him to give up the Mastership, and 

 his successor is nominated. May he soon have as 

 fine a run to chronicle. 



Prosperity to stag-hunting ! 



