STAG-HUNTING ON EXMOOR 227 



anxieties are not centred on the chase — the chase 

 stripped of polish and luxury, the chase divorced 

 from good cheer and even from opportunities for 

 vain display. The instinct and passion of the 

 hunter possesses them all. 



We have all come long journeys and have perhaps 

 many hours to remain in the saddle ; and now is 

 the time to ease our horses. The field dismounts, 

 and booted ladies are seen seated by the roadside, 

 or seeking refreshment of milk and bread and clotted 

 cream at an adjacent farmhouse. While the "tufters" 

 are drawing, we look round again and inly rejoice 

 that Exmoor is still a vast wild tract hardly 

 civilised. Around it Brendon common lies unen- 

 closed, and the miles from Alderman's Barrow to the 

 east of Dunkery are unbroken by a fence. We are 

 told of rare birds and beasts to be seen there along 

 with the red deer which have had a home in Exmoor 

 from time immemorial ; polecats are found, though 

 now somewhat rarely ; the Montagu's liarrier is 

 occasionally seen ; a snowy owl was shot some few 

 years back, and only two years ago a pelican was 

 found walking about on the North Forest if the 

 story of a Somersetshire farmer may be believed. 

 The stag-hunting country is a matter of six and 

 thirty miles, which often the tireless hounds will 

 cross from end to end after their quarry. 



