ISO STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



Stern, but each enjoying the scent for himself. This 

 was the case with the old true stag-hounds, and has 

 been found the same in all packs used to hunt the wild 

 deer. It is said that a deer always goes as straight as 

 a line from end to end even of a field, while a fox 

 pursues a slightly devious course, like a human 

 creature; as may be seen from every foot-track be- 

 tween two stiles, for instance. Hence, a hound after 

 a fox has not the same chance of keeping the lead as a 

 hound after a deer. The "certain point" mentioned 

 above is the moment from which the deer begins to 

 fail. Then the old hounds, which have been hitherto 

 content to see the young ones outstrip them, suddenly 

 dash to the front : sure sign that the end is at hand. 

 The same peculiarity is noted in the case of harriers 

 by Joseph Addison, of all persons, in one of the papers 

 concerning Sir Roger de Coverley. 



The course of the deer in a chase over the Exmoor 

 country invariably leads him across a certain number 

 of streams. He could not avoid them if he would, 

 and he has no desire to avoid them. The effect of 

 water on a distressed deer is extraordinary : he or she 

 will come to it with drooping head and lolling tongue, 

 apparently in the last stage of exhaustion, and leave 

 it as if endowed with new life, to all appearance fresh 



