CHAPTER VII. 



OF THE TAKING OF THE STAG. 



Undaunted in the whirling flood 



To face his foes the Champion stood, 



While all around him wild for blood 



They clamoured, sink or swim. — Whyte Melville. 



A SUBJECT often discussed is as to the effect of the 

 wind on the run of a stag. The opinion of those who 

 have had most opportunities of judging is that it has 

 little or no effect on the direction a stag will take, 

 though its effect on scent is quite another matter. 

 It is also easily to be realised that on a still, breathless 

 day a heavy animal like a stag is easier exhausted 

 than when a cool breeze — Exmoor breezes always are 

 cool — is blowing in his nostrils. One can tell that 

 from the condition of one's horse after a gallop, 

 and, judging in the same way, it would seem probable 

 that against or across a light air is easier for a deer 

 than right before the wind. 



This opinion is shared by the writer of the " Master 

 •of the Game," in contradiction to that expressed by 

 Gaston de Foix, whose work he was translating. It 

 may probably be the result of his experience on 

 Exmoor, as distinguished from that of Gaston de Foix 



