3o8 THE RED DEER OF EXMOOR. 



found his Parliamentary and other duties made such 

 heavy calls upon his time that he was obliged to 

 ask the committee to accept his resignation, which 

 with great reluctance they did. 



Lord Ebrington's reign was marked by many 

 first-class runs, particularly over unusual lines of 

 country. Amongst these the most memorable was 

 that from the plantation by Oare Post, by Yeanworthy 

 Common, Brendon Common, Longstone, Moles 

 Chamber, Hole Water, and right away down to near 

 Brayley Bridge. Few were at the finish, and many 

 did not get home that night. 



In 1884 tufters, with only the Master and about 

 three more, ran from Ashleigh Combe on Quantock 

 across the vale to the Parret at Combwich Passage, 

 and the deer was taken close to Burnham. On 

 February iith, 1885, a hind led hounds a very fast 

 pace from Burridge Wood, close to Dulverton, by 

 way of Withypool, Simonsbath, and Challacombe to 

 the Bray by Kipscombe Wood. The hind was last 

 seen near Friendship Inn. On November 13th, 1885, 

 hounds ran a hind from Haddon over Lype Common 

 and Dunkery to Chettisford Water and lost, scent 

 having failed. In 1886 a young deer gave the gallop 

 of the season from Haddon to Tarr Steps, and by 

 Humber's Hall and W^ithypool Common to Sherdon 

 Hutch and Emmet's Grange. The pace was 

 tremendous all the way. Onlv seven horses reached 

 the finish, and four were left lying dead on the way. 

 A most unusual line, but seventeen years afterwards 



