3i8 STAGHUNTING WITH THE 



side at an angle to the water, and then when 

 enough yards have been covered to allow of the 

 water dripping from the quarry's fiank and legs 

 enough for the scent to resume its wonted 

 power, a few eager notes and another cheer 

 from the huntsman, and in a trice the horses, 

 with their second wind gained, press brisklv up 

 the most convenient tracks that mount the 

 opposing hill. 



On the plain beyond there is grass that has 

 been rendered splashy by recent rain : horses 

 that have to gallop as soon as ever they reach 

 the top of the steep and narrow path are soon 

 puffing and blowing more loudly than before, 

 while their tread has a squelching sound, and 

 the water fiings off the overladen herbage. At 

 length a long stretch of oaken wood is reached 

 that lies hot and airless in the full glare of the 

 afternoon sun. Down its length for a full mile 

 the stag has gone, and the cry that had such 

 volume is now reduced to the sound of one or 

 two of the oldest voices in the pack, that with 

 deep and angry tone foretell the end that must 

 soon and surelv come. Down at last towards 

 the inevitable water thev incline, but before 

 they reach it, that shrill ear-piercing yell arises 

 with which all West Countrymen that are to the 

 manner born give vent to their joyful feelings, 

 when they see at length the object of all their 

 strenuous exertions, and then for awhile the 



