26 IN THE BIDING- SCHOOL. 



these. An English master might give you a 

 single rein to be passed outside the little finger, 

 and between the forefinger and middle finger, 

 the loop coming between the forefinger and 

 thumb, and being held in place by the thumb. 

 Then he would expect you to keep your right 

 shoulder back very firmly, but a French master 

 will tell you that it is better to learn to keep 

 the shoulder back while holding a rein in the 

 right hand, and an American master will usually 

 allow you to take your choice, but, until you 

 have experience, obey orders in silence. 



And now, having taken your whip, draw your- 

 self back in your saddle so as to feel the pom- 

 mel under your right knee ; sit well towards the 

 right, square your shoulders, force your elbows 

 well clown, hollow your waist a little, and start. 

 He won't go ? Of course he will not, until bid- 

 den to do so, if he know his business. Bend 

 forward the least bit in the world, draw very 

 slightly on the reins, and rather harder on the 

 right, so as to turn him from the stand, arid 

 away he walks, and you are in the ring. You 

 had no idea that it was so large, and you feel 

 as if lost on a western prairie, but you are in no 



