102 STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



man and horse cannot cross even in the winter, though 

 of course one must pick one's way. Hence if a 

 stranger find himself in a bog, there is no occasion for 

 him to walk away with tears in his eyes over the sad 

 fate of his horse. The animal will struggle out as 

 soon as he catches his wind ; and his rider will be 

 able to trot him home instead of having to pay a fee 

 to the yokel who brings him home after a day or two, 

 probably minus saddle and bridle, which have been 

 left by the horse somewhere on the Forest. Soft 

 ground is generally to be distinguished by one or 

 more of three signs, which those who would ride over 

 Exmoor would do well to mark, if they be not already 

 aware of them. The first is the presence of the white 

 bog-flower ; the second the presence of red grass ; 

 the third a mingled growth of grass and heather. 

 The bog-flower is most conspicuous on turf-pits, 

 which are easily avoided; but the red grass and 

 mixed grass and heather frequently cover large 

 tracts, which, however, are rarely impassable, in one 

 way or another. The real dangers on Exmoor are 

 the grips and cart ruts, the latter especially, which 

 require some explanation. Wherever there are turf 

 heaps there must needs be a cart track by which the 

 turf may be removed. In wet weather a cart soon 



