78 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



It is hard to realise, in riding across the 

 moor after rain, that close beneath the peaty 

 surface lies the gravelly subsoil of which the 

 hills are composed for a depth of many feet 

 until the bed rock is reached. 



The peaty envelope varies greatlv in thickness, 

 and it is where it is deepest, and consequently 

 most retentive of water, that horses find the 

 going most difficult. Now, if Nature had only 

 been let alone, and interfering man with his 

 schemes and projects, had not cut and delved 

 and drained, one might still gallop with free 

 bridle-rein over many a mile of wilderness that 

 now rec^uires much care and navigation. On 

 the topmost heights the peaty plains naturallv 

 hold the rain-water longest, while on the steep 

 scarps and slopes it drains awav and trickles 

 down to join the bubbling streams, so that it 

 is just where one would fain be galloping, and 

 all looks sound and prosperous to an inex- 

 perienced eve, that a gutter, or a deep hole, or 

 a rotten honey-combed expanse bids the hasty 

 rider pause if he would not bring himself and 

 his horse to grief. 



The Chains enclosure has a great reputation 

 for uncomfortable going, and it certainly is one 

 of the least desirable parts of the moor to traverse 

 at speed, each successive blind gutter being apt 

 to take its toll of the field, and there is a 

 certain gateway in a wire fence that spans the 



