74 STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



*' Peter Dene," died suddenly on the 17th of Novem- 

 ber. He had long been a great friend and staunch 

 supporter of Mr. Bisset, and had, by his influence and 

 popularity among the farmers, not only preserved 

 many a stray deer in dangerous quarters, but also in 

 great measure contributed to the re-establishment of 

 the herd in the Bray covers. Two months later died 

 George Fewings, the whipper-in, a good and able 

 servant, a keen sportsman, and general favourite. 



The sport of 1876 was poor compared with that of 

 the preceding year ; the best of it, as often happens, 

 being with the hinds. The hounds met on twenty con- 

 secutive hunting days at Cloutsham, which with one 

 meet at Hawkcombe Head and another at Larkbarrow, 

 made up the Forest hind-hunting season of 1876. In 

 these twenty-two days twenty-three hinds were taken, 

 of which nineteen were killed and four saved for the 

 Quantocks ; three young male deer and a stag were 

 also killed (by accident, it need hardly be said), and 

 two young male deer were taken and saved. No mean 

 performance ; but still the deer increased. In 1877, 

 the season, which had hitherto closed at latest in 

 February, was carried on into March of the new year 

 — altogether sixty- one hunting days, wherein fifty-six 

 deer were killed and four more taken. 



