CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 187 



next to impossible to separate one from the herd. 

 A stag had, however, been observed to be lying 

 just outside the wall of Scob Hill with two hinds. 

 and as it was thought that by care and good luck 

 he might be got away, no attempt to drive him 

 was at once made. Mr Esdaile, with half-a-dozen 

 of the field, rode quietly to the spot where the 

 animals were lying, and as the deer jumped up, all 

 tried to ride between the stag and the hinds in 

 order to separate them. 



The manoeuvre was, however, unsuccessful, and 

 the deer galloped together into Parsonage Wood. 

 A single tufter was now laid on, and, to the joy of 

 the field, the stag broke covert in about five minutes, 

 leaving his companions behind him. The pack 

 were at once laid on, and after a good run over the 

 moor, the deer went over Culbone Common to the 

 sea. The nearest boat, belonging to Mr Halliday 

 of Glenthorne, was reported to be leaky and useless; 

 and it would have been nearly two hours before one 

 could have been obtained from Lynmouth or 

 Porlock, the nearest stations. A council of war 

 was held, and it was determined to take away the 

 hounds, leave the beach quiet, and see if the deer 

 would return to land. This course had just been 

 arranged, when to the dismay of every one, a small 



