THE ROYAL HOUNDS. 239 



dogs many stags began to fly about. From these 

 the King, with his pack of hounds, selected one for 

 his own hunting, and pursued it long through devious 

 ways with great agility on his horse, and with the 

 dogs following. Jn the vicinity of Ceoddir (Cheddar) 

 were several abrupt and lofty precipices hanging 

 over profound declivities. To one of these the stag 

 came in his flight, and dashed himself down the 

 immense depth with headlong ruin, all the dogs 

 following and perishing with him. The King, 

 pursuing the animal and hounds with equal energy, 

 was rushing onward towards the precipice ; he saw 

 his danger and struggled violently to stop his courser ; 

 the horse disobeyed awhile his rein ; he gave up the 

 hope of life ; he recommended himself to God and 

 his saints, and was carried to the very brink of 

 destruction before the speed of the animal could be 

 checked. The horse's feet were trembling on the 

 last turf of the precipice before he stopped." 



Can we not imagine the King waiting impatiently 

 with his "relay" of hounds while the lymerer and 

 huntsman roused the stags ? Of course, the King 

 was put in the most likely spot, and, of course, the 

 good stag came by him. Was it likely an impatient 

 monarch would wait for the field ? No doubt he 

 blew motes and recheats and halloaed, but he laid 

 his hounds on, and chanced the rest catching him 

 up as he swept along — probably above Charterhouse 

 Warren — heading for the big woods on the north 

 slope of the hills. One can imagine him swinging 



