IX THE RIDING-SCHOOL. 45 



are carrying a dollar between the knee and the 

 saddle, after the West Point fashion, and do not 

 fret overmuch because you are not rising. If you 

 were a cavalryman riding with your troop, you 

 would not be allowed to rise, and to sit properly 

 while sitting close is an accomplishment not to 

 be despised. " Ow ! " What does that mean ? 

 You rose without trying ? Watch yourself care- 

 fully, and if such a phenomenon should occur 

 again, try to make it repeat itself by letting 

 yourself down into the saddle, and then rising 

 again quickly. But keep trotting ! Count how 

 many times you trot around the ring, and men- 

 tally pledge yourself to increase the number of 

 circuits at your next lesson. And — " Cluck ! " 

 Sit down in the saddle, Esmeralda ! Lean 

 back a little, bring your left knee up against the 

 pommel, keeping the lower part of the leg close 

 against the saddle ; keep your right knee in 

 place and your right foot and the lower part of 

 your right leg close to the saddle ; guide your 

 horse, but do not otherwise exert yourself. How 

 do you like it ? Delightful ? Yes, with a good 

 horse it is as delightful as sitting in a rocking- 

 chair, but, if you were a rider of experience, 



