56 IN THE RIDING-SCHOOL. 



stay. You come because you choose, and come 

 down to rise again instantly. You must keep 

 your right shoulder back, and your hands on a 

 level with your elbows, and you must turn the 

 corners, not let your horse turn them as he 

 pleases — but more pupils are coming now and 

 I must give you another horse. You may have 

 Billy Buttons." The change is effected, the 

 other pupils begin their lessons, and you and 

 Billy walk deliberately about in the centre of 

 the ring. 



At first he keeps moderately near the wall, 

 but after a time you find that the circle de- 

 scribed by his footsteps has grown smaller, and 

 that he apparently fancies himself walking around 

 a rather small tree. Your master rides up as 

 you are pulling and jerking your left rein in the 

 endeavor to come nearer to the wall, and says, 

 "Try Billy's canter. I'll take a round with 

 you. Strike him on the shoulder, and when 

 you want him to trot, shorten your reins and 

 touch him on the flank. Those are the signals 

 which he minds best. Now ! Canter." 



You remember of having heard of a "canter 

 like a rocking-chair." Charlie had it, but you 



