DEVON AND SOMERSET. 141 



divisions and some straggling groups. Ninety- 

 four all told, and the odd half dozen, at least, 

 are skirting about on distant hilltops. Colonel 

 Hornby holds council, and decides to kennel 

 again at the Shepherd's Cott, and hunt the line 

 with two tufters, till the stag shall have been 

 separated from his comrades. Bluster and 

 Dalesman are drawn, fourth and fifth season 

 hounds, steady and sure, and warranted to stop 

 when called upon. Anthony and Arthur ride 

 off over Lanacombe, and the field await with 

 what patience they may the turn of events. The 

 two tufters take up the line near a rushy patch 

 on the top of Lanacombe, and carry it over to 

 the water of the streamlet under Buscombe ; 

 then falter at the water for a minute, and 

 anon carry it around towards Trout Hill. There 

 go five big hinds before them ; that won't do ! 

 Anthony brings them back to the streamlet and, 

 at its very source, hits a line. Away they go, 

 hunting steadily over Blackpits, running parallel 

 with the Exe, Bluster doing all the work, and 

 looking backwards from time to time to see if 

 he must go on or not. He comes to the head 

 of the little valley that leads down to the ruined 

 building in Long Chains Combe, and crosses it 

 pointing straight for the Chains. " Hold hard. 

 Bluster," there is a slot in a muddy sheep-track, 

 but it won't do ; it must be the big stag or 

 nothing to-day. Now Anthony trots along the 



