Notable Runs 71 



men can do when thoroughly aroused, and there 

 was nothing for it but to go at this very formidable 

 impediment, since hounds were holding on straight 

 ahead, hunting both fast and prettily over the large 

 water meadows bordering Calverly Canal. 



Lord Hardman glanced swiftly up and down, 

 then his quick eye perceiving it to be a case of 

 necessity, took in the situation without delay. The 

 fence must either be jumped, crashed into, or 

 tumbled over. The former for choice, though the 

 latter if imperative. So he shortened his reins, laid 

 hold of Red Rover's head, and drove him at it as 

 hard as he could, half hoping to fly the whole thing, 

 and half trusting to the usual rottenness of timber 

 palings. 



If it had been possible for five hundred guineas' 

 worth of courageous horseflesh thus to have jumped 

 the fence, most certainly Red Rover would have 

 done it. Few if any could beat him, but, good and 

 bold as he was there are limits to the powers of 

 even the very best hunter in this world. He threw 

 himself far into the air, making a truly magnificent 

 bound, but only succeeded in landing with his toes 

 right on the top of the second oxer. As bad luck 

 would have it, however, the rail happened to be 

 brand new, and as thick round as a man's arm. It 

 never gave an inch. Red Rover staggered, stumbled, 

 fell, almost recovered, made a gallant effort to right 

 himself, then, once more losing his balance, fell 

 headlong to the ground, sending his noble owner 

 flying from the saddle. 



But Lord Hardman stuck manfully to the reins, 

 and never slackened his hold upon them, although 

 just at first it looked as if the horse would roll over 

 his master's prostrate form. In less time than it 

 takes to tell his lordship had remounted, and was 



