458 THE BEST OF THE FUN 



rude cause already, I learn on arrival, of bruised limb and 

 even discoloured eye to more than one fair novice). They 

 come in autumn and they come in spring, between whiles 

 going elsewhere to ride across Nature's face where its 

 features are less closely set. But, believe me, the winter- 

 habiiuc of the Forest is no discontented mortal. He takes 

 his daily pleasures with avidity, hunting the fox four days 

 a week, the deer twice, within an area considerably less, if 

 I mistake not, than would suffice for the larger country of 

 many of our single packs, and with a stud that elsewhere 

 would carry him perhaps two days a week. To the casual, 

 on the other hand, who like myself tramps gratefully hither 

 in spring or fall, there is everything to show the Forest a 

 happy playground. 



Since my last visit Captain Lovell has relinquished 

 management of the sport which he had originated, and had 

 so long and so ably maintained. The present mastership 

 is in the joint hands of Mr. St. L. Walker and Mr. Kelly, with 

 Allen holding the post of huntsman with as much vigour 

 and practical skill as ever. The majority of the pack, be- 

 yond a draft from Lord Portman, remain the same ; but 

 Moonstone, the old and invaluable tufter, gave up his place, 

 and the ghost, with the late frost. 



On Thursday, April 26, I had the opportunity of join- 

 ing in one of the merriest deer-hunts that it has ever been 

 my luck to witness in the New Forest. My difficulty will 

 now be at all duly to describe it. This I can only attempt 

 by presupposing that you know even less than myself of 

 the Forest and of the chase of the fallow buck. Admit this, 

 and I run no risk of your pulling me up on a point of 

 geography or technicality of woodcraft. 



The hunt in question took place all in the north of the 

 Forest, where heatherclad highlands alternate with wide- 

 reaching woodlands of a primeval type ; where the trees 

 grow wide apart, with tall holly-bushes as the only under- 

 growth. To gallop and crouch, twist and turn at best 

 pace for fifteen minutes through such wild covert, in eager 

 endeavour to keep close to hounds ; then to emerge and 

 race onward for thirty more over the brushing heather, 

 varying the latter with a dart through one well-rided wood 



