56 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



In the Brayford country this is particularly 

 noticeable, the coverts there being separated by 

 steeply sloping pastures, where the villagers 

 congregate in highly interested groups, and are 

 generally anxious that tlie stag of the day should 

 not go straight away to the moor, but should 

 double to and fro amongst the woods and thus 

 give them plenty of opportunity to witness the 

 chase. On the Quantocks again, the line of the 

 Stowey road, proverbial for its collection of 

 pedestrians, and the early British earthworks 

 upon the summit of Danesborough, always find 

 favour. Another spot that is never untenanted 

 when hounds meet at Cloutsham in the autumn, 

 is the beacon pile on the crest of Dunkerv, 

 whence a glorious view can be obtained, and in 

 all probability several deer will pass within easy 

 view. The commanding ridge of Grabhist Hill, 

 near Dunster, again, always has its line of figures 

 silhouetted against the sky to watch the panorama 

 of Croydon Hill stretched beneath their feet, 

 down the long slope of which, the Hunt is 

 generally seen in full progress when the meet 

 is at Slowley. 



The Exe and the Barle are the two biggest 

 rivers that are usually encountered in the course 

 of a day's work with the Devon and Somerset, 

 though of course the Taw is sometimes met 

 with, though more rarely. Both Ext and 

 Barle form awkward obstacles when in spate, 



