This hasty repast concluded, the demon ordered the fire to be
extinguished, and the quarters of the deer to be carried to the cave. He
then mounted his steed, and, attended by Wyat and the rest of his
troop, except those engaged in executing his orders, galloped towards
Snow Hill, where he speedily succeeded in unharbouring another noble
hart.
Away then went the whole party--stag, hounds, huntsmen, sweeping
like a dark cloud down the hill, and crossing the wide moonlit glade,
studded with noble trees, on the west of the great avenue.
For a while the hart held a course parallel with the avenue; he then
dashed across it, threaded the intricate woods on the opposite side,
tracked a long glen, and leaping the pales, entered the home park. It
almost seemed as if he designed to seek shelter within the castle, for
he made straight towards it, and was only diverted by Herne himself,
who, shooting past him with incredible swiftness, turned him towards
the lower part of the park.
Here the chase continued with unabated ardour, until, reaching the
banks of the Thames, the hart plunged into it, and suffered himself to
be carried noiselessly down the current. But Herne followed him along
the banks, and when sufficiently near, dashed into the stream, and
drove him again ashore.
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