loo . THE RED DEER OF EX MOOR. 



Water is the deer's refuge when he seeks to elude 

 his foes, and to the water he comes when he has only 

 strength left to fight for his life. In a strong stream, 

 where he can stand while the hounds must swim, he 

 has an immense advantage, and dealing powerful 

 blows both with feet and antlers can keep off the 

 boldest hounds ; but it is to the water also that 

 hounds owe their immunity from injury. They are 

 knocked over and frequently driven under water, but 

 the water yields and saves them from harm. It is on 

 dry land as a rule that fatal injuries are received. 



When once a stag is at bay, humanity both to deer 

 and hounds demands that the closing scenes shall be 

 as short as may be, and every effort is made, both 

 by hunt servants and zealous members of the field — ■ 

 often at considerable personal risk — to " handle '' the 

 deer so that the huntsman may deliver the coitf) de 

 grace. This is done skilfully and well : the main 

 arteries above the heart are severed, and insensi- 

 bility and death result in a very few moments. 



A stag with the velvet on his antlers makes little 

 or no fight as a rule. He takes his stand gallantly 

 enough, sometimes striking with his feet and dealing 

 shrewd blows, but he always seems conscious that his 

 head is not yet in fighting order. A lash of a whip 

 thrown over an antler is sufficient to secure his head 

 for a moment, and enable willins: hands to reach the 

 antlers ; then all is soon over. As the season 

 advances stags increase in strength and ferocity, 

 and they will charge through and through the pack, 



