i86 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



parallel with the course of the stream, but how- 

 high up. This is glorious galloping ground now 

 that it is dry, and the easy descent favours 

 horses just when they need it, for tails are 

 quivering now, and the white foam is showing 

 on neck and thigh. Here come the leading 

 hounds right across our front, and into the 

 Exford Road half-a-mile short of White Cross ; 

 time, from the first w^iimper on Kittucks, fortv 

 fair minutes. On they drive down the fields to 

 Newlands, and on again to the Pennycombe 

 Water, where we come suddenlv upon Mr. 

 Hayes, of Pitsworthy, who has divided the two 

 deer only a few minutes ago, and now shows 

 Anthony wiiich wav the bigger one went. On 

 down the combe to Chibbet Ford the big 

 hounds carry it forthwith, but alreadv thev are 

 getting distressed with the pace and the heat, 

 which in this narrow vallev indeed is intense. 

 Through the fields for half-a-mile upwards they 

 go to the White Cross Road just above Chibbet 

 Post, and throw up in the road, whereby the 

 stag gains much time, but Mr. Morland Greig 

 presently spies him stealing away towards >\Iill 

 Lane, and Anthony takes hounds at a sharp trot 

 to the foil. Half-an-hour's law^, however, on a 

 day like this means much in the matter of 

 scent, but hounds try hard for him, and carrv 

 the line right prettily up over the fields to 

 Hoar Moor and on to Dunkery. Now, on the 



