CLOUTSHAM. 335 



from feeding, worked right up to him, and drove him 

 out without rousing the others. He went away 

 upwards through Hole Wood, and broke over the 

 hill to Chettisford Water. The pack was laid on 

 on Poole Common, and ran well to the water just 

 above Nutscale, and up stream to the foot of 

 Embercombe ; here a long check occurred, and 

 while hounds were being cast up the valley towards 

 Chettisford one of the puppies, coming on to 

 overtake the pack, hit the line and worked very 

 slowly upwards to Luccott Moor, but it was some 

 distance before hounds were really able to own the 

 scent ; when they did, they ran on at a good pace, 

 and we galloped over the wet ground to Luccott 

 Moor, over Porlock Common to Black Barrow and 

 on to Badgvvorthy. Hounds went at a good pace, 

 but not so fast as to prevent horses keeping easily 

 with them. The stag had not loitered in Badg- 

 worthy, but went straight on again over Lanacombe, 

 to the Black Pits, most of the field avoiding the bad 

 ground by going over Badgworthy Hill to Two Gates, 

 Hounds crossed Brendon Road and made away over 

 Black Pits towards Farley Water, and fresh found 

 t|ie stag as he was soiling in one of the deep peat 

 holes. From here he ran the whole length of the 

 Chains, bringing many riders to the ground, and 

 passing Pinkworthy Pond, went on by Wood Barrow 

 and Longstone. By this time the field was strung 

 out in long drawn file, and the moor was dotted for 

 miles with horses not able to get any further. 



