ii6 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



a moment to cheer them on in the extreme 

 corner of the plantations. So we must stay too, 

 and now we must rattle down the stonv lane to 

 Broomstreet, rattle through the courtyard, just 

 able to catch a glimpse of three hounds skim- 

 ming across a lev held. A sporting farmer, 

 mounted on a sturdv roan, catches a view of 

 the leading ones as they race along the lower 

 edge of Yenworthy Common, so up we must 

 go, over one small but steep field, and once 

 again we are on the heather. Now, reader, one 

 more effort if we can ; those fleeting forms fly 

 faster than ever ; they are closing with their 

 deer, and this open common is our chance to 

 get up in time. Steady him till you gain the 

 summit, then give him his head and a gentle 

 admonition with the spur, and tlv down the 

 long slope to County Gate, take the right hand 

 track and trot down the bridle path in Seven 

 Thorns and look over into that round reservoir in 

 the combe two hundred feet below you. There 

 he is, the gallant beast that has led us such a 

 merry dance, and alreadv hounds are there too, 

 and chasing him round and round with a 

 clamour like a peal of bells. Now, Sidney ! 

 quick with the rope 1 That has him. Well 

 thrown ! Now let us help to take him, that 

 his sufferings may be short. What a noble head 

 he has ! All his rights, bar the near side bay, 

 and two long ones atop on each horn. 



