HORSEMANSHIP. 



mounted. If the rider tries to urge on a restive animal, 

 he will probably back, kick, shoulder his man up 

 against a tree, wall, or other convenient rubbing-post, 

 bite him if within reach, rear straight on end, or even, 

 as I have known one do, throw himself down and roll. 

 A friend of mine, who is one of the most brilliant cross- 

 country riders I have ever met, was once riding a horse 

 of this description. They got on all right together, until 

 they came to a small watercourse, at which the horse 

 stopped and refused to proceed. My friend, who was 

 holding the reins loosely in his right hand, shook them 

 on the animal's neck as a hint to go on. In an instant 

 the brute whipped his head round, seized his rider's 

 wrist with his teeth, and dragged him off his back. The 

 poor fellow battled with the horse for several minutes, 

 and dealt him blow after blow about the muzzle and 

 face with his left hand ; but the horse kept shaking him 

 like a terrier w^ould a rat, until at last, when he let him 

 go, my friend's wrist was a mass of pulp, and had, of 

 course, to be amputated. I am glad to add that this 

 terrible accident did not shake the iron nerves of the 

 sufferer — Mr. " Bertie " Short — and that he subsequently 

 won many steeplechases in India, though he had to use 

 a hook. He rides now with double reins, which are 



