Once more they flew across the home park--once more they leaped its
pales--once more they entered the great park--but this time the stag
took the direction of Englefield Green. He was not, however, allowed to
break forth into the open country; but, driven again into the thick
woods, he held on with wondrous speed till the lake appeared in view.
In another instant he was swimming across it.
Before the eddies occasioned by the affrighted animal's plunge had
described a wide ring, Herne had quitted his steed, and was cleaving
with rapid strokes the waters of the lake. Finding escape impossible,
the hart turned to meet him, and sought to strike him with his horns, but
as in the case of his ill-fated brother of the wood, the blow was warded
by the antlered helm of the swimmer. The next moment the clear water
was dyed with blood, and Herne, catching the gasping animal by the
head, guided his body to shore.
Again the process of breaking up the stag was gone through; and when
Herne had concluded his task, he once more offered his gourd to Sir
Thomas Wyat. Reckless of the consequences, the knight placed the
flask to his lips, and draining it to the last drop, fell from his horse
insensible.
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