CHAPTER III 

 ANCIENT HISTORY 



THE next generation of hard riders began 

 before my time and were in their prime 

 when first I entered the hunting field, though 

 I would back several of them to hold their own over 

 a stiff country against young men to-day. Amongst 

 first-class men it is difiicult to say who was the 

 best, but there was certainly none better than 

 Capt. A. (Doggie) Smith. Not only was he a good 

 man to hounds, but he was also a very fine horseman. 

 It was an education in itself to see him humouring 

 that fiddle-headed chestnut into the belief that 

 there was no necessity for running away and then 

 steadying him up at a stiff bit of timber when the 

 beast was in one of his mad fits. He was, however, 

 an undoubtedly good horse, and carried his owner 

 brilliantly through many good runs, though in 

 previous hands he had proved to be quite un- 

 manageable. Capt. (Bay) Middleton was also a 

 very fine horseman and equally good across country. 

 If alive he would doubtless be still showing us the 

 quickest way to hounds, and taking the lead where 

 the fences were strongest. He was always keen, 

 whether it was dancing, foxhunting or steeple- 

 chasing, and he did everything with a boyish 

 enthusiasm that did one good to see. There was 

 one slight weakness he possessed which must have 



3» 



