2i6 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



Sir Thomas left him, and ran the rest of the chase ; a 

 gentleman from Minehead had his horse drop dead under 

 him, during the latter part of this run, which was very 

 fast throughout. 



August 3I-S7'. — Found in Riddle Wood, near Bratton ; 

 the tufters could not be stopped ; and two hours after 

 they had left the wood, as no other deer could be roused, 

 the pack was laid on, and ran him down to Heddons- 

 mouth ; they met the tufters, who had driven their quarry 

 to sea, returning ; it was very cold hunting, and for those 

 who took pleasure in seeing the working of the hounds, 

 nothing could be more gratifying. A boat was sent for 

 from Combe Martin, and the deer brought in ; he was 

 only a four-year old, and, but for having received some 

 injuries in his capture, would have been saved. 



October i8t/i. — Drew the Shillets with the pack; they 

 ran sheep, killing several. Sir T. D. Acland desired the 

 huntsman to hang the whole of them, and then himself. 

 The worthy baronet's wrath was soon after this appeased 

 by a good fast run from Hawkcombe, ending with a kill 

 at Exford. This shows how dangerous it is to draw with 

 the pack, and the master is alone to blame, for without 

 his sanction it could not take place. 



/ufy ^t/i, 1790. — On taking out the pack to-day, to get 

 them in wind for the stag-hunting season, they divided in 

 Horner, on a hind and stag ; that part after the male 

 deer were stopped at Hawkcombe head, at which he had 

 broke from Exmoor, the others took their hind to Lucott 

 Moor, then to Alderman's Burrow, and crossed Lark- 

 burrow for Orchard Combe ; she now sank the bottom for 

 Exford, and crossed just above the village, over Lee and 

 Thorne farms to Buckworthy, and down the water to 



