234 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



then had but one horn. It is to be regretted that no 

 examination of the testes of this stag was made ; no 

 doubt one of them would have been found injured on the 

 side on which the horn was wanting. 



This season was marked by an unusual occurrence. 

 One Shapland, a notorious deer-killer of Northmolton, 

 was out with his father in pursuit of a hind, and fancying 

 he saw the deer in the covert, he fired ; when, lo ! it was 

 his own father who received the shot. It did not prove 

 fatal ; but prevented him from ever after indulging his 

 poaching propensities. 



September ^oth. — The fixture Dulverton ; but the stag 

 was roused from Hawkridge Ridge. He broke on to 

 Anstey Common, above Whiterocks ; here the pack was 

 laid on thirty-five minutes after the stag had gone away, 

 still they ran him at such a pace from this over the 

 Common to Lyshwell on to Willingford, and then over 

 Fernyball to Sherdon Hutch, that it was hard work for 

 the fastest horse to keep in view of the hounds, whilst 

 the slow ones saw nothing. He now slanted the hill 

 opposite Cow Castle to Simonsbath, and beat up the 

 water to Cornham ; then to the left for Whiteladders 

 and on to Fiveburrows. Before reaching this they 

 viewed him, and raced him down Whitefield Combe to 

 Hall water. He now crossed Bera-lane to Holland Wood, 

 and lay fast ; they soon fresh found him, and viewed him 

 down to Linkleyfoot, and on to Newtown Bridge, and 

 killed him under Reepham Wood. Not more than ten 

 out of a numerous field witnessed the finale. 



October ird. — Found in East Down-wood, parish of 

 Bray, and killed him at Coscombe, in Countisbury. The 

 pack was laid on in Liddicot Lane, crossed into West- 



