CHAPTER VI. 



1871— 1881. 



Hitherto the main difficulty with which Mr. Bisset 

 had had to contend was the keeping up of a sufficient 

 herd of deer. From this time forth the question was 

 how to keep it down within reasonable limits. The 

 deer had increased enormously, and were now return- 

 ing in every direction to their old haunts. They had 

 now, after many years' desertion, begun once again to 

 frequent the Bray covers ; and to encourage their 

 preservation in that district the meet, the first for 

 fifteen years, was fixed In September, 1871, for North- 

 molton. Horner was, however, then as now, the great 

 stronghold ; and many days were devoted to the 

 difficult task of diminishing the constantly increasing 

 number of hinds. The season of 187 1 included fifty 

 hunting days, wherein thirty deer were taken, of which 

 only four escaped death. *' Not so bad," writes Mr. 

 Bisset, " but still the cry is legion. On two occasions 



