CHAPTER IV 



M THE CAT'S " FIRST STEEPLECHASE 



For some time past an acute rivalry had existed between we 

 three children, our cousins and our friends in Limber, as to the 

 comparative merits of our steeds, especially in connection with 

 the powers of the latter in crossing a country. 



On the flat we had always a good means of judging, for 

 it was a rare thing indeed if a race of some kind did not come 

 off each day we rode out. It was our regular practice to ride 

 somewhere every day, wet or fine. As a matter of fact, in our 

 heterogeneous riding parties, none of us could pass or even 

 come up to the other, but the trot or canter became a gallop, 

 then a race to the nearest stone-heap, tree, or gate. In these 

 extemporary races my chestnut pony Tommy, who had a 

 knack of jumping off quickly at the start, nearly always proved 

 a winner. We had, however, so far, never attempted a 

 steeplechase, and our souls were thirsting to prove which of 

 our mounts was the best across country. 



After long and anxious deliberation between the three of 

 us, our cousins and friends, it was decided unanimously that 

 there must be a test, which should take the form of a real 

 steeplechase, on the most approved grown-up lines. It was 

 also decided that we three must take the initiative, it being a 

 recognized fact, that whatever the arbiters of our fate allowed 

 us to do, the other parents in the village followed suit, and 



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