DEVON AND SOMERSET. 113 



then jumps up and races away, soon distancing 

 his enemies in spite of Anthony's efforts to 

 head him away towards the open hill. Into 

 Luccombe Plantations first of all, as if to try 

 and shift hounds on to the line of the hind, 

 which is to be seen trotting away in the vale 

 towards West Luccombe over a corn held, then 

 w^ien that fails he doubles short round on 

 Horner Hill, and slips away to Parsonage Side 

 and sinks to the East Water. Now, reader, 

 make up vour mind at once, perch yourself in 

 the spirit on the cantle of my saddle, and ride 

 with me for an hour after that will-o'-the-wisp, 

 the leading hound. Leave a hundred or so of 

 doubting, debating staghunters perched at 

 Webber's Post, and plunge down the zigzag 

 path to the East Water Foot, splash through 

 the Horner Water and strike up Lord Ebring- 

 ton's Path, for this stag is flying up the main 

 valley, the whole pack at his heels and Anthony's 

 horn is getting fainter and fainter towards Pool 

 Bridge. Take a pull now and let him trot all 

 the way up the winding ascent, for there's many 

 a mile yet of galloping to do, and we must 

 husband our resources. Out of the coppice at 

 last, up through the sheep paths on Ley Hill : 

 how that little band of a dozen on the other 

 side of the valley are galloping for Stoke, to be 

 sure. Here are some foot people ; we'll ask 

 them. "Yes, all up the bottom," and sure 

 I 



