42 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



the hounds run on the banks, the stag's stride 

 soon shortens and he turns and stands at bay, 

 a noble picture. 



It is always the object of the Hunt staff to 

 secure the stag and put an end to his sufferings 

 as quickly as possible, and while the horns are 

 still in the velvet this is no very difticult matter, 

 especially as in hot weather hunted deer are 

 as a rule quite exhausted when set up. But 

 when the rivers are swollen wdth an October 

 rain, and the fighting instinct is aroused in the 

 cervine breast, capture is quite another matter, 

 and is attended wnth quite sufficient danger to 

 render it a verv thrilling occupation, and one 

 not likely to be undertaken by a novice. First 

 and foremost in this difficult art is the welter 

 weight of the Hunt and a member of the Com- 

 mittee, Mr. Philip Froude Hancock, who is 

 equally ready to come to close grips with a 

 fighting stag in the narrow Quantock combes, 

 the deep cold flood of the river Barle, or 

 amongst the mighty boulders and hanging ledges 

 of the Countisbury cliffs. To many a pursuer 

 of carted deer this is a moment of intense 

 interest, when a stag with his horns on, and 

 knowing full well that his last moment has 

 come, is approached single-handed and deftly 

 laid upon the ground. An instant later and con- 

 sciousness has left the noble beast, and in due 

 course the four slots are awarded by the master 



