72 
THE FERN PARADISE. 
From Fingle Bridge back to Moretonhampstead, 
along the intricate moorland path. From More- 
tonhampstead to Horseman’s Steps, across four 
miles of delightful country, and through ferny 
valleys, up ferny hills, and through ferny lanes. 
This was our route on the day of our visit to the 
ferny borders of Dartmoor. You reach, near the 
Horseman’s Steps, a solitary cottage, perched in 
a charming nook. Close by the cottage walls 
the North Bovey River, pent into a narrrow bed, 
roars over the big boulders that choke up its 
course. Here you have the charming combination 
of waterfall, cascade, and silent pool. The huge 
masses of granite which are thrown down along 
this stream, are in many places delightfully car-_. 
peted with moss, whose deep and light-green 
colouring looks charmingly fresh where the limpid 
water flows over or near it. A short distance 
from this spot are the far-famed Horseman’s 
Steps. The narrow course of the North Bovey 
River is here completely blocked up by enormous 
masses of granite, and you can only see the stream 
by peering down between interstices in the rocks. 
