226 the; red deer of exmoor. 



When the raches or running hounds are laid on 

 the lymerer is to take up his lymer and foot it the 

 best way he can. All this is in reality nothing more 

 than tufting adapted to a different country. In a 

 wild country, where there is nowhere to kennel the 

 pack, the system of relays seems almost imperative 

 — and indeed is, in a modified form, constantly 

 practised on Exmoor in the hindhunting. 



The directions laid down for the berners and the 

 rest of the field during the run are not what a modern 

 Master would approve — except perhaps for one 

 berner ; indeed, they inculcate a course of conduct 

 to which a modern field is only too prone, and one 

 which is sorely trying to the temper both of the 

 huntsman and the Master. 



"And the berners also and every horseman go 

 that can go, so that they come not into the fues or 

 in front of the hounds, and shape as often as they 

 can to meet him ; and as often as a man can see him 

 he should go to the fues and blow a mote and recheat 

 and holloa to the hounds, and then speed him in the 

 manner that I have said to meet with him again. '^ 

 The berner in charge of the first relay that the hart 

 runs by is cautioned not to " vaunt lay " — that is, 

 not to lay on his hounds till the others are all up. 

 A very wise precaution, but if there is a chance of 

 change the berner is directed to take up any tail 

 hounds. In the case of a beaten deer the last relay 

 may, we are told, be put close on him to bring him 

 the sooner to bay. If hounds come to a check, or, 



