APPENDIX 231 



over Honeymead, as if pointing for Badgworthy, or the 

 Horner coverts ; but on reaching Cloven Rocks her 

 strength failed. Now turning to the right, she backed it 

 for Exford Common ; here the pack caught a view, and 

 raced her over it to Newland limekilns, and killed her 

 after a chase of four hours and a half. 



1 801. — Colonel Bassett commenced hind-hunting early, 

 and continued it up to 13th of June (this should never 

 be done, unless you wish to destroy sport ; it should end 

 on the loth of May, thus to give one month for the hinds 

 to be quiet before laying down their calves), but killed 

 only one. During the stag-hunting season this autumn, 

 a fine stag was killed after a good run of three hours, 

 having the top of one horn shot off, the remaining horn 

 had three on top with all his rights. The pack killed 

 seven stags this season, the last Colonel Bassett ever 

 witnessed. Many a good run was lost by the apathy of 

 the sportsmen in not endeavouring to stop the tufters. 

 In the extensive coverts to which the deer resort, it is 

 impossible that the servants can at all times be in place 

 to stop hounds ; and if those who are out will not lend a 

 little assistance, they must not blame the master of the 

 pack, or those under him, if they are occasionally dis- 

 appointed of a run. Tufters often break away after a 

 good stag, and the pack cannot be brought to the spot 

 for three parts of an hour or even an hour ; if, therefore, 

 the tufters are not stopped, a bad run will be the probable 

 consequence. We found a stag this year at Asherton ^ 

 Wood, in the parish of Warkleigh, and lost him after a 

 good run below Torrington. He broke from a small 

 stream into a road, and we never hit him from it. A 



' Edgington ? 



