86 STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



be trusted on these points, and even then are some- 

 times deceived. Nay, Mr. Bisset himself was once 

 known, late in his career, to tally a hornless male deer 

 for a hind, whereat astonishment mingled with awe fell 

 on the small field (not above half-a-dozen) that were 

 present. 



Not less remarkable was his knowledge of the habits 

 and runs of the deer. The following instance was given 

 by a correspondent of the Field at the time of Mr. 

 Bisset's death: "About the year 1873 the hounds 

 drove a stag from Withypool, In the south-eastern 

 corner of the district, far westward from the Forest of 

 Exmoor. The pace was tremendous. On they went 

 from one end to the other, and finally bearing right- 

 handed lost their deer In the sea by Porlock Weir. 

 For over twenty miles the pack had raced without a 

 check, and had at last disappeared from all. One who 

 had struggled to a standstill finally found himself In 

 Porlock village, and there heard that an hour before 

 hounds had passed close by towards the sea. He 

 jumped on a pony to find out the end, reflecting with 

 no little satisfaction that he would get to the finish — 

 never mind when — and that after all there would be no 

 one but himself to determine the time. On he went as 

 fast as he could kick his pony along, scrambled to the 



