THE QUANTOCKS. 247 



though his haunches should bedeck a table none the worse for 

 this reproach, and certainly the hounds fell to with no less gusto, 

 on the portion assigned as their share. 



An honest thirty miles ride home not at all an uncommon 

 distance in connection with the wild stag, either, oh ye men of 

 Melton ! was the lot of your humble servant. The moon was 

 shining brightly over the heads of the dark and ghostly combes 

 of Cutcombe ; to help him home. But, again, when it lit up 

 the watch from a still dinnerless waistcoat, and told that ten 

 o'clock was past he ceased to wonder that staghunting should be 

 entwined so intimately with heavy outdoor luncheon and he 

 laid his head on his pillow that night to dream of " Foxhunting, 

 God bless it" 



