DEVON AND SOMERSET. 203 



shepherd Armstrong, going out with his dog 

 to look at those ewes on the Lees. I needn't 

 mind him ; he's a quiet peaceable sort of chap 

 enough, so I'll just stretch myself and have a 

 look round and then settle down for the day. 

 I wonder whether George Barwick's there still, 

 or whether he's gone off at last. No, I don't 

 see him. It looks all right for a pretty peaceful 

 day, and there's not too much sun. I may be 



able to get a few hours' sleep What's that ? 



I thought I heard something. Yes, I certainly 

 heard horses ; and what's that horrible smell ? 

 There must be hounds about ; Anthony thought 

 he would catch me napping, did he ? Not much 

 at my time of life ! But I was a fool to go 

 sleep in such a little place. 



Just look ! What a lot of them, all the way 

 back to the top gate. Who's that yelling ? 

 That's not Anthony ! Why it must be the 

 master himself, and there is Lord Ebrington, 

 as I'm a living stag. Great turnip tops ! I 

 must be off ! Here goes for a move and a 

 speedy one ! Now, it's all very well to rush 

 at me like that, but you might just as well try 

 to catch a swallow on the wing as me when 

 I feel disposed for a gallop ! Here are the 

 other deer, now I'll duck down in the ferns, 

 and I'll bet they'll go right by. That's it ! 

 Just look at them, going like mazed things. 

 Now if I bide quietly here in Woodcock 



