The Hunt in Literature 19 



enjoy their company, together with that of his 

 daughter, by insisting on her riding a-hunting with 

 him. 



Sophia, to whom her father's word was a law, 

 readily complied with his desires, though she had 

 not the least delight in a sport, which was of too 

 rough and masculine a nature to suit with her dis- 

 position. She had however another motive, besides 

 her obedience, to accompany the old gentleman in 

 the chase ; for, by her presence, she hoped in some 

 measure to restrain his impetuosity, and to prevent 

 him from so frequently exposing his neck to the 

 utmost hazard. 



The strongest objection was that which would 

 have formerly been an inducement to her, namely, 

 the frequent meeting with young Jones, whom she 

 had determined to avoid ; but, as the end of the 

 hunting-season now approached, she hoped by a 

 short absence with her aunt to reason herself entirely 

 out of her unfortunate passion ; and had not any 

 doubt of being able to meet him in the field the 

 subsequent season without the least danger. 



On the second day of her hunting, as she was 

 returning from the chase, and was arrived within a 

 little distance from Mr. Western's house, her horse, 

 whose mettlesome spirit required a better rider, fell 

 suddenly to prancing and capering in such a manner, 

 that she was in the most imminent danger of falling. 

 Tom Jones, who was at a little distance behind, 

 saw this, and immediately galloped up to her assist- 

 ance. As soon as he came up, he leaped from his 

 own horse, and caught hold of hers by the bridle. 

 The unruly beast presently reared himself on end on 

 his hind legs, and threw his lovely burden from his 

 back, and Jones caught her in his arms. 



She was so affected with the fright, that she was 



