50 IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL. 



IV. 



The horse does not attempt to fly; 

 He knows his powers, and so should I. 



Spurgeon. 



(ILFUL will to water, eh, Esmeral- 

 da ? You are determined to appear 

 in that riding party after your third 

 lesson, and you think that you " will 

 look no worse than a great many others." Un- 

 doubtedly, that is true, and more's the pity, 

 but, since go you will, let us make the most of 

 the third lesson, and trust that you will return 

 in a whole piece, like Henry Clay's pie. 



You do not see why there is any more danger 

 on the road than in the ring, and you have never 

 been thrown ! It would be unkind, in the face of 

 that "never," to remind you that you have been 

 in the saddle precisely twice, and, really, there 

 is no more danger from your incompetency, 

 should it manifest itself on the road, than might 

 arise from its display in the ring, but with your 

 horse it is another matter. Having the whole 

 world before him, why not, he will meditate, 



