36o THE RED DEER OE EXMOOR. 



the whip or Master to take different sides of a combe, 

 either in a run or when tufting, they are often a mile 

 or more apart, and the huntsman may be quite as far 

 from both of them. It is an enormous assistance to 

 all of them to be able to recognise and signal to each 

 other, but as long as there were other pink coats in 

 the field this was impossible. When the numbers 

 dropped to half a dozen it was an easy matter to 

 secure that they should be worn no longer, which was 

 regretted by few, for although the regular habitues 

 came to the meet properly turned out, some of the 

 "pinks" that put in an appearance were curious 

 spectacles. One stout old gentleman caused great 

 joy to a numerous and rather bored field at Triscombe 

 Stone many years ago by coming attired in a red 

 coat, a fancy knitted waistcoat, an immense blue 

 stock, bottle green breeches, and mahogany tops, 

 the whole surmounted by a Jack Spragon flat 

 hat. Though few, if any, regretted the disappearance 

 of the pink coats, one often meets with expressions 

 of regret that there is no recognised hunt uniform to 

 distinguish the regular members of the hunt from 

 the casual visitors. The subject has often been 

 discussed, but the great hat question has been 

 found insoluble. A tall hat is quite impossible, no 

 one would wear it, and a hunting cap is not the most 

 comfortable thing on a scorching hot day. Mr. 

 Bisset never wore one, but wore a curious, soft velvet 

 hat of his own design. Mr, Basset and Mr. Arthur 

 Locke, his secretary, wore ordmary felt hats. These 



