220 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



Combe, below which he took the river and kept it to 

 Exford Mills. He now broke from the water, and passing 

 over Muddicombe farm reached Chibbet Cross, turned to 

 the right over Buckworthy, crossed to the bottom, and by 

 Blackland farm reached Withypoole Common, and made 

 for Landacre Bridge ; here they caught a view, and never 

 lost it until they ran into him just above Withypoole. 

 This was a fine fast run, and many a horse and rider were 

 obliged to cry enougJi long before the finish. 



September \2th. — The fixture was Porlock, and the 

 tufters found in Worthycombe. He broke for White- 

 stones, as if determined to try the open, but was blanched. 

 The back was laid on at the head of the Shillets, and the 

 chase lay over Hawkcombe and Lee to Horner. He now 

 broke over Cloutsham Ball for Sweet Tree, and over 

 Dunkerry to Luckham ; from this to Wotton Courtenay, 

 and crossed for Oaktrow Wood, thence to near Dunster, 

 and up over the hill behind Alcombe for Minehead. He 

 now backed it over Northill to Bossington, and went out 

 to sea with fourteen couples of hounds close at his 

 haunches. He was taken into Porlock Weir by a boat 

 and killed. The master of the hunt, with many others, 

 tired their nags this day. 



1794. — In consequence of the lamented death of the 

 staunch supporter of stag-hunting, Sir T. D. Acland, 

 which took place on the 17th of May this year, there 

 was no spring hind-hunting. Colonel Bassett now took 

 the pack, consisting of twenty-three couple of thorough- 

 bred staghounds. Joe Faulkner was appointed huntsman, 

 and Thomas Hunt whipper-in. The hounds became very 

 riotous for want of work, and killed sheep. The Colonel 

 ordered twelve couple to be killed immediately, the 



