DEVON AND SOMERSET. 107 



the water wheel, after badly pricking two hounds, 

 which fell right to the bottom. It took half-an- 

 hour to get him down. He had only six points. 

 On the following Monday, for the third time 

 in the season, the Cloutsham coverts provided 

 a stag which has gone to the open, on each 

 occasion by much the same route. A compara- 

 tively small field were enjoying the unwonted 

 sunshine in the meeting field on Cloutsham Ball, 

 when suddenly the master appeared at 12.40 

 galloping back from the direction of Prickslade, 

 and sounding a cheery note of warning as he 

 came. One and all, of those who meant riding, 

 made ready at once for a start, while the kennel 

 doors were flung wide open, and the pack 

 issued eager for the fray. Piloting them him- 

 self, the master made off at a good pace 

 through the fields to Stoke Pero, and thence to 

 the Pool fields, where Anthony was encountered. 

 Then, after a change of horses, there was a 

 move on to the fields upon Tarball, and hounds 

 were laid upon the line of a stag which had 

 gone awav in the right direction with a good 

 amount of law in his favour. This was at 1.5. 

 They readily acknowledged the line and topped 

 the two or three fences which separated them 

 from Tarball Hill, in quick succession, then 

 went out over the short heather of Wilmersham 

 Plain and down to the Nutscale Water, at a 

 rare pace, and checked opposite the foot of 



