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a ^narrow cliasin between two huge trap -rocks, about 

 eight or nine feet wide, through which the entire waters 

 of the Coquet surge and grind their way with inconceiv- 

 able violence and fury. In its natural state, it used to 

 be much narrower at the top than at present, as a por- 

 tion of the rock was removed a few years ago, in order 

 to widen it, in consequence of a poor child being drowned 

 while attempting to leap it in play. A rather daring 

 feat was performed here a few years ago by the late Mr. 

 Edward Donkin of Tosson, whose passion for fox-hunting, 

 and game qualities as a sportsman, rendered him a local 

 celebrity of no little fame, and procured for him the 

 usu'al soubriquet of " Hunting Ned." Perilous as the at- 

 tempt may seem, on one occasion he actually leapt this 

 yawning chasm, surcharged with its black and raging 

 torrent, upon horseback, while following his favourite 

 sport; without scathe or injury, as the result fortunately 

 turned out. The leap itself, so far as mere breadth is 

 concerned, was, of course, of no importance whatever, 

 but the extreme danger consisted in the horse's feet 

 slipping upon the surface of the hard rock, worn and 

 polished as smooth as glass, and the fearful violence of 

 the raging torrent below, seething and boiling like a 

 miniature Maelstrom.* 



Considering the violence and impetuosity with which 

 the waters of the river rush through this narrow gorge, is 



* The late Captain R , an intimate friend of the author's, subse- 

 quently purchased the identical horse which performed this feat, and 

 hunted him several years afterwards. He was of a peculiar colour a 

 mouse-dun. 



