OF TUFTING. 65 



unexpected quarter, one of the volunteer assistants 

 dashes up out of the combe with his horse in a 

 lather, and points at the far hillside. A mile and a 

 half away a pink spot shows in a green field, sharp 

 notes on the horn reach us. The whip has disap- 

 peared. The Master gathers up his reins, blows his 

 horn, " Gone away ! " and off he gallops for the pack, 

 which bays furiously in its barn ; the door is thrown 

 open and away we all go pushing and jostling down 

 the lane, and climb the hill to where Tucker and 

 Fred Goss are waiting, having stopped the tufters. 

 Then for the field the day begins. Tucker and Goss 

 and perhaps one or two more could tell a different 

 tale of the events of the last two hours, as also could 

 Tucker's pony, who has evidently had quite enough, 

 as he is led quietly away home. 



Tufting has not altered in theory the least as far 

 back as history carries us, but all theories must be 

 adapted to existing conditions, and the actual 

 practice as carried out to-day is very different from 

 what it was a century ago, and is a much nearer 

 approach to mediaeval methods. 



The first instinct of a stag, or indeed almost any 

 hunted animal, when roused, is to go at once to 

 where there are others who may relieve him of 

 pursuit. 



An old stag rarely if ever lies down to rest, even if 

 not attended by his " esquire," without knowing 

 exactly where to go and find other deer. When the 

 number of other deer in the country was much 



F 



