m^^ 



276 CHASE OF THE WILD RED DEER 



half. A very old and heavy deer. His head had gone 

 back, and he had nothing but uprights and brow antlers. 

 When completely cleaned, and without his head, this 

 deer weighed 220 lbs., and was believed to be at least 

 eighteen years old. 



August igt/i, 1848. — The hounds metatBrendon Barton, 

 and the pack trotted away for Badgworthy Common, the 

 harbourer having given information of a good stag in that 

 locality. On reaching Middle hill, away he went in view, 

 at a most tremendous pace, for the North Forest ; then 

 turned over Prayway for Blackpits, then on to the 

 Chains and down the valley to Farleigh brake, almost in 

 view the whole distance. The sportsmen scattered in all 

 directions, for not one could keep with them. From 

 Farleigh he beat down to Ilford bridges, broke to the 

 right into the Brendon coverts, and came again to water 

 above Watersmeet ; broke from it on the Countisbury 

 side, ran the coverts some few minutes, and then took 

 the hill and went to sea just beyond the church. A boat 

 was sent for from Lynmouth, but before its arrival, a 

 cutter going up channel, espied the stag, put out a boat, 

 and captured him, and then made for the Welsh coast, 

 the sportsmen looking on with astonishment from the 

 cliffs above, at such unlooked-for robbery. 



October loth. — Simonsbath the fixture, and a very fine 

 hind was roused from the Old Park. The pack raced her 

 over Emmetts to Darlick Corner, and the field expected 

 she would seek for shelter in Longwood and the North- 

 molton coverts ; but, avoiding these, she turned to the 

 left for Sandyway, crossed it for Lyddon's Hill, and beat 

 down to Willingford water ; now broke to the left up over 

 Hawkridge Common, and came to water in the Barle river 



