DEVON AND SOMERSET. 213 



and out between the stones and the fort-hke 

 kopjes at the bottom, and there Hes the brown 

 gleaming stream bv the County Wall, and hounds 

 go no further. Anthony casts up and round and 

 down, but try how he will there is no line. 

 Presently he goes back to Manor Allotment,, 

 and there in the combe down which hounds 

 lately ran, is a herd of deer and the hunted 

 stag amongst them. Now the chase begins afresh, 

 and the question arises how to cut out the 

 veteran from the younger deer. By Stowey 

 Allotment they sink to the Chalk Water by 

 way of Blin dwell Combe. The fresh deer go 

 On and climb Mill Hill in full view of the field, 

 but from a brake of furze and fern a single 

 hound pokes out the hunted stag, and the welkin 

 rings again with the sound of horn and view- 

 holloa. Through a strip of covert at the foot of 

 the Chalk Water and awav up to Hart Way, 

 goes the gallant stag with limbs that stiffen 

 already and with shortening stride. Up Stowey 

 Ridge, finding a new wire fence, he leads the 

 way and then descending Landcombe seeks the 

 shelter of the larches overhanging Badgworthy. 



Here are many fresh deer, but they avail 

 him nothing. Once in the shelter of the larches 

 he is fain to stop and rest, and that rest seals 

 his fate. With the puppies at his heel Anthonv 

 arrives in time to view his great beamed 

 frontlet appearing through the tangle of mossy 



