CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 155 



his own farms and the roof of his own h(jmestcad. 

 and under him ' Norah Creina ' strides along in 

 her lashing, easy gallop, with the confidence which 

 an intimate knowledge of every sod beneath her 

 feet inspires and creates. The ground is open. A 

 little on a decline and far away, close, close, to the 

 wall of Scob Hill enclosure, I see something moving 

 along, 'with hobbling gait and high,' which I cannot 

 doubt is our quarry. Unless the herd shelter him, 

 'this day the stag shall die.' 'Forward! forward!' 

 and again the hounds lash and stride over th<' long 

 sedges, the faintest whimper possible from time to 

 time announcing that they are running on a burning 

 scent, but have too much to do to be able to 'own' 

 it. 



We gain the wall of the enclosure, which tiie pack 

 scramble over with difficulty, while the remaining 

 horsemen seek a friendly gate. A shepherd has 

 viewed the stag, and reports to our joy that he has 

 not joined the herd, but turned to the right to seek 

 the covert, and take soil in the Hmpid waters of the 

 impetuous Lynn. Down rush the hounds, and we 

 reach the ford in time to see the body of the pack 

 struggling in the foaming waters of the torrent, 

 while the leading hounds are carrying on the scent 

 up the opposite steep. Onward we urge our sobbing 



