338 The Hunting Countries of England. 



answered " Ohj I never should have thought it of 

 them, such nice ladies too ! Why, if they wasn't a 

 playing of cards on a Sunday V 



Three Hammers is another old fixture of the Egges- 

 ford, and in days gone by the cottage was notable for 

 Mr. Drake's quaint yew trees cut into design of a 

 peacock and other devices. Bromsmead and Heather- 

 field are the usual coverts to draw. At Worlington 

 (East and West) are two good yeomen, Smith father 

 and son. Ash Moor and Creacombe have a collection 

 of small gorses, and are held in great esteem, being on 

 most favourable ground for scent and sport. These 

 are Lord Portsmouth's farthest fixtures towards the 

 Dulverton. Knowstone and its woods are neutral ; 

 but seldom visited by his lordship, except after a 

 travelling fox. 



To shorten the tale of meets and coverts it may 

 sufiice to note that Castle Hill is for Lord Fortescue's 

 wide and well-preserved coverts ; Meath Gate for 

 Warkleigh Wood ; Head Bridge for Head Wood and 

 King's Nympton Park ; Chumleigh Beacon for 

 Horridge Moor or Lakehead Moor ; Stone Moor for 

 The Plantations or Cheldon Brake ; Beauly Court for 

 Mr. Cobley's Coverts ; Puddington for Mr. Eland's 

 Coverts ; Morchard Bishop for those of Mr. Churchill 

 or Mr. Tucker ; Morchard Koad Station for Wales 

 Brake or Braddiford Brake ; and Ashridge Manor for 

 North Tawton Woodlands and Cottles Wood. 



Between the Morchard Road Station (near which 

 lives a sportsman of note with hare and otter, and yet 

 ever in full support of the fox — viz., Mr. William 

 Cheriton) and the Portsmouth Arms Station are 



