CHASE OF THK WILD RED DEER 193 



will never acquire popularity with the sportsmen of 

 Devon and Somerset. Without implying the least 

 disrespect to those who enjoy a gallop after a stall- 

 fed deer, I am quite sure every one will feel that there 

 is a charm in the sport which I have attempted to 

 describe in this Htde volume which can never attach 

 to that of following a chase after an animal bred in 

 a park, ' enlarged ' for the day's amusement, and 

 carted back to his paddock at the conclusion of the 

 run. True, the ' calf-hunter ' is certain of not having 

 to undergo the disappointment of a blank day ; but 

 from what I have read and heard (for I have but 

 little personal experience in the matter), the per- 

 formances of the uncarted deer are very unequal, 

 and the runs frequently very poor. With us, even 

 at the present day, a blank is a very rare occurrence. 

 It was a thing almost unknown in the palmy days of 

 stag-hunting, when the harbourer executed his duty 

 with zeal and fidelity. One of the most exciting 

 and picturesque incidents in a day's sport is the 

 rouse of the deer. Then follow the duties of 

 stopping the tufters and bringing up the pack, so 

 as to lay on with all dispatch ; and what music 

 hath greater charms to the sportsman's ear than 

 that of the full-mouthed pack, when every hound 

 settles well upon the line, and races, and flings, 



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