48 THE RED DEER OF EX MOOR. 



But If he will remember that what he does not 

 understand Is not therefore necessarily foolish, and 

 that the master and hunt servants do know what 

 they are doing, and are only carrying out, as adapted 

 to modern conditions, the theories and practice 

 which have been recognised as most conducive to 

 sport for upwards of five hundred years, he will find 

 much to learn, and beginning to learn will enjoy, and 

 end up by being filled with that enthusiasm which 

 every year draws some of the hardest riders and best 

 sportsmen in England to spend their autumn among 

 the hills, combes, and lonely moors of West 

 Somerset. 



As we jog on to the meet we find horsemen 

 and ladles, a very large proportion of ladies, people 

 on bicycles, people In carriages and motors, and some 

 on foot all wending their way to the appointed spot. 

 There In the midst of a dense crowd are the hounds 

 in charge of huntsman and whip, whilst talking with 

 the huntsman is a keen-looking man In grey, well 

 mounted on a stout, active cob. The men are on 

 their tufting ponies, and a group of second horsemen 

 wait not far off. Punctual to the moment up canters 

 the Master and enters into a short consultation with 

 the man In grey and the huntsman. It doesn't last 

 long, a nod and "all right" and he turns to talk to 

 his friends. 



The farmers always look jovial at the meet, but 

 one can generally detect one face more jovial, more 

 covered with smiles, than the rest. " Got a stag for 



