134 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



All eyes turn to the spot, and there sure 

 enough is this gallant little stag that has led us 

 so far and so fast, toiling up the steep slope 

 opposite, so stiff that he can hardly raise a trot. 

 One tally and a cheer to his hounds, and 

 Anthony sinks the combe, climbs the other side 

 and settles them on the line. Away they go 

 over Winstitchen, pointing for Flexburrow, but 

 the sight of the buildings of Wheal Eliza has 

 turned the stag, and he has beaten down the 

 Barle. On downwards for a few hundred yards, 

 and then in the limpid water hounds run right 

 over their deer as he crouches in an attempt 

 to hide. Another moment and all is over with 

 him. He proves to be in poorish condition, 

 with the near brow antler broken short off, and 

 has two tines on the near top and the upright 

 on the off. The hfteenth deer of the season, 

 and the time of the run three hours and three- 

 quarters ; the latter half of it exceedinglv fast. 

 That veteran staghunter, Mr. J. B. Collvns, was 

 going strong throughout this run, which ranks 

 easily first among the three notable runs from 

 Haddon scored by Colonel Hornby. Encircled 

 as the Haddon Coverts are by enclosed country, 

 there is no doubt that their deer have not scope 

 or range sufficient to enable them to lead hounds 

 as gallantly as do their first cousins, but when 

 once they have left the deep wooded combes of 

 Exe and Barle behind they can gallop as stoutly 



