172 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



'Twas on the Saturday after Barnstaple Fair, 

 just two years ago, that a never-to-be-forgotten 

 stag took the same turn and led us to Castle 

 Hill and Umberleigh, on the river Taw, whereby 

 some of the held lay out that night and did 

 not get home till morning. Now, however, in 

 spite of foot people in every field, this game 

 little deer headed up the green pastures under 

 Lydecott, and made for the Hole Water, and 

 the chase began. 



The master brought the pack from Gratton, 

 where Mr. Robins had provided snug quarters, 

 and laid them on where the deer left covert. 

 Leaving MoUand Wood well to their right, 

 hounds hunted merrily up the long wooded 

 combe which leads to the Poltimore Arms at 

 Yard Down, but checked at the foot of Sherra- 

 combe, where the streams divide. Anthony was 

 casting up Sherracombe when vSidney Tucker 

 galloped up to him with the news that a few 

 hounds were driving from Colent Wood toward 

 the Yard Down Road. Xow a convenient lane 

 soon brought Anthony to the spot where a 

 countryman had just seen a deer in the road, 

 but while Anthony was enquiring of him, 

 hounds took a line in the held beyond, and 

 made off at score to Lyddicombe Bottom. Just 

 beyond, a flock of sheep made a timely check, 

 which enabled us to get to them by way of 

 Fyldon Lane, here Anthonv hit it again and 



