StagJiounds 7 1 



cut, surely would he get " bogged." Scent 

 continues to improve, and we must hustle 

 along somehow. Fortunately we are riding 

 to a leader who is at once bold and cautious, 

 and our friend " Cinqfoil," we know, will lead 

 us into no difficulties. Without any sign of 

 a check onwards they go over the Exe Plain, 

 and head for Brendon Two Gates. Our 

 quarry has gone down the Doone Valley, and 

 thence he turns, left-handed, into Badgworthy 

 Wood. Just by the deer park a momentary 

 respite enables us to give our steaming horses 

 a blow, and take one for ourselves. But 

 before we can slip off our horses hounds are 

 away again, and we get a rattling gallop over 

 Black Barrow to the Colley Water. Then 

 comes the long hill up to the Exford road, 

 and, " grinning and hugging," we clamber up 

 it at the best pace our steeds can command. 

 Faster than ever they run over Porlock Com- 

 mon, and along Hawkcombe, past Porlock 

 Vale, and down to the sea. There, in Por- 

 lock Bav, is the closins; scene witnessed, and 

 the obsequies celebrated, of this good stag. 



