226 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



for many weeks, in consequence of fogs, heavy rains, and 

 the overflowing of rivers. 



1798. — A rather singular occurrence took place this 

 spring, after a good chase with a hind from Chilfham 

 Wood. At Bradbury, before the hounds ran up to her, 

 the hind's throat was cut ; this was done no doubt with 

 the view of stealing the animal, the offender not thinking 

 the pack was so close on her. Colonel Bassett offered 

 fifty pounds reward for information that would convict 

 the delinquent, but no one came forward to claim the 

 reward. 



August Afth. — Colonel Bassett commenced the season 

 thus early ; the meet was at Bratton ; the tufters found in 

 Burton Wood in the parish of Bray, and killed him at 

 Holewater, after a run of two hours and a half. 



August 20th. — The fixture Northmolton, found a stag 

 with a very unusual head in Buttery, and killed him at 

 Braybridge, in the parish of Chittlehampton. He was a 

 most remarkable deer, the horns turning so as to prevent 

 his running the coverts much. The pack divided in 

 Broadwood, and part of them ran a good stag over 

 Exmoor to Dulverton, where the hounds were stopped 

 and taken off by a couple of sportsmen of that neigh- 

 bourhood, who, on hearing the hounds, took to horse, 

 and finding no sportsmen with them, considered the stag 

 ought not to be killed, and thus saved him. 



September i^th. — Met at Dulverton ; a good stag was 

 soon roused from Burridge Wood ; he crossed the road 

 just above Marsh Bridge, here the pack was laid on and 

 ran him over North Moor to Whiterocks : he crossed the 

 Danesbrook, and lay fast in South Hawkridge brake ; 

 the pack surrounded him, and he had some difficulty in 



