OLD FRIENDS— MEN AND HORSES 221 



of that well-known Yorkshire dealer, Mr. Andrew 

 Brown, and I believe had won the championship in 

 London. 



Up to great weight, and with lots of quality, he 

 was, of course, worth a good deal, and I think Mr. 

 Leatham gave three hundred for him, which was 

 considered a big price then. As I have already 

 said, my friend Edmund Leatham was one of the 

 best and boldest men who ever crossed Leicester- 

 shire, but he had undeniably heavy hands. Now 

 " Brigadier " had really a very good mouth, but hav- 

 ing gained a reputation for pulling, his new owner 

 put on him a heavy, long-checked bridle, with the 

 result horse and rider were always fighting, usually 

 finishing up their day, one with aching arms and 

 the other with bleeding mouth. I gave fifty pounds 

 for him, which was more than he was really worth 

 at the time, as he had ricked his back, was supposed 

 to be a whistler, and might never be sound again. 

 However, a summer's run put him right, and when 

 he found his mouth would not be hurt, he never 

 pulled an ounce. I rode him several seasons, 

 and finally broke him down one day with the 

 Belvoir. 



Amongst the many horse-dealers I have known, 

 the majority of them were good fellows and first- 

 class horsemen ; but the one who I have always said 

 rode to hounds like a gentleman and not like a 

 horse-dealer was Will Gale. I use the word gentle- 

 man in this instance to indicate a man who rides 

 hunting for the pleasure of being with and seeing 

 hounds — the selling of his horse being a secondary 

 consideration. 



I have had the pleasure of riding to hounds in 



