174 STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR. 



fortably on the sheltered side of the combe ; we are 

 moving dead up wind, so they do not perceive our pre- 

 sence till we and hounds are quite close. Then up 

 jumps a hind and yearling, then a stag; and with a 

 yell the tufters catch a view, and away the herd goes, 

 hinds leading, stags in rear, the tufters racing, but 

 soon dropping a little back, for they cannot go as fast 

 as a deer. Now you can see the difference in the 

 action and appearance of hinds and male deer. You 

 can only see two of the dozen that have horns, but 

 still the rest are not all hinds. Note that one behind 

 the leading hind, his neck is shorter and thicker than 

 hers, and he carries his head back as if he had the 

 finest pair of horns in the world on them. Now look 

 at the old stag that is last of all, his action is higher 

 than the hinds and he seems to go more clumsily. 

 Look, and look your last, for now we are on the wet 

 ground, and you must mind your ways or you will go 

 wrong. Puil up to a trot when you see red grass 

 ahead, for the ground where it grows is never very 

 sound. It is unpleasant work for the inexperienced 

 this dodging round turf-pits and splashing through 

 soft places, but the three now at it are accustomed to 

 it. Very soon hounds and deer have disappeared before 

 us, but when we emerge, after a mile or more of wading 



