120 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



" 'twould be a bit rough out over." "A bit rough " 

 does not adequately express it. Up to the level of 

 above 1500ft. it blew a smart gale, and the rain was 

 heavy, about that level the hills were shrouded in 

 mist, which, when we plunged into it, turned out to be 

 close heavy rain driven before a hurricane which was 

 almost enough to blow one out of the saddle. Push- 

 ing on we began to descend the north side, and as 

 w^e emerged from the mist came suddenly on the 

 Master and huntsman riding hard, while just below 

 them seven couple of hounds were flying forward 

 after a knot of deer, about ten in number, which 

 were just visible on the slope of the hill towards 

 Robin Howe. A hurried greeting having been 

 exchanged, and having learned that the pack was at 

 Cloutsham, but that they were " going right on," we 

 bustled the ponies along down the steep path, for 

 the horses we were to ride were waiting for us at the 

 farm. Before plunging into the combe, there was 

 time to notice that hounds were swinging round left- 

 handed, and coming back along the slope from 

 Webber's Post to Sweet Tree. 



John Land opined " we should have to ride, as 

 hounds were running terrible keen," and so they 

 appeared to be as they went up Bagley Combe, and 

 bore away left-handed for the mist-covered wet ground 

 on Row Barrows. Three, four, five dark bodies 

 showed about 400 yards in front of hounds. Anthony 

 was close to the pack, while the rest of us toiled up 

 the steep, heathery slope at the best pace we could 



