THE BAKONET GETS SOME FALLS. 15 



" Not if we can hold on at this pace," was the reply ; " but 

 if we come to a check, he will be in upon us directly." 



About a score of the first flight were now with Sir Francis, 

 all striving for the lead ; and the baronet, to escape them, sent 

 his horse flying at a stiff double fence, landing him with his 

 heels in the ditch on the other side, the shock again dislodging 

 the rider from his seat. 



" Eh ! Burnett," exclaimed Captain Markham, who had 

 landed by his side, " that was a nasty one, old boy ! Much 

 damaged, old fellow ? " 



" Pray mind your own business, sir," retorted the baronet, 

 angrily ; "I don't want your assistance." 



" Oh ! ah ! peppery old boy ! — soon get cooled a little — fine 

 piece of water just below." 



" In which I hope you'll be drowned, you conceited fool ! ' : 

 muttered the baronet, as he sprang on his horse's back. 



Bob Conyers (having left Constance on the furze hills to 

 return home with her groom) now rode up, and joined Sir 

 Francis. " It won't do, sir," said he, good-humouredly, " going 

 at our banks and double ditches in that fashion, or you will get 

 a fall in every field ; just let your horse see how mine takes 

 them on and off the bank, and he will soon catch the trick." 



" Thank you, Mr. Conyers ; I see no horse can clear these 

 ready-made graves at a fly, and I must now follow your exam- 

 ple ; but it can't be done in a minute, with this rushing brute, 

 who will go in his accustomed style." 



" Then take my horse, and I will ride yours," said Bob. 



" Oh, no, my good friend, there is no time for changing, so 

 come along ; " and another pip was the result, man and horse 

 rolling into the next field. 



" You're not hurt, I hope ? " said Conyers. 



" No," replied Sir Francis ; " I'm used to this sort of thing ; 

 often ride for a fall to get the other side." 



" That's more than I should like to do," remarked Bob ; " a 

 fall ain't so pleasant, that I should ride for it." 



" Must be done in Leicestershire sometimes, to keep with 

 hounds, sir." 



" Oh, very likely," replied Bob ; " but in this country it's 

 not the fashion to do things in that way ; we stick to the pig's 

 skin." 



" Hah ! hah ! " quoth Jack Tyler to his neighbour, Sir 

 Lucius, who was riding with him, and looking back on the 

 prostrate baronet ; " we sha'n't be troubled much more with 



