66 THE ADVENTURES OF A GENTLEMAN 



than strength, a horse about three-parts bred, and 

 not under fifteen hands, is more likely to answer the 

 purpose ; but if he is good for any thing, the figure 

 will be at least ten guineas higher. Should an occa- 

 sional day's sport be combined with other views, 

 both height and strength are indispensable, and 

 seventy guineas will be the minimum price. But it 

 is very rare indeed to find one of your " occasional 

 hunters" fit for the field : he may carry well enough 

 over the first two or three fences, or perhaps through 

 a quiet day ; but the chances are ten to one that on 

 second trial he swerves from his leap, or bolts, or 

 breaks down. Hunters are not sold as hacks till 

 they have proved treacherous ; and of all the nui- 

 sances on earth, an unsafe horse after the hounds is 

 the greatest. I once fell in with the hounds pretty 

 well mounted, but on one of these occasional 

 hunters. It was not in human nature to turn away, 

 even if I had known my horse. He bolted, and 

 dashed through a bridle gate at speed ; the post fairly 

 cut off the side of my boot — another half-inch, and I 

 should have struck it flush upon my knee-pan, and of 

 course have been disabled for life ! There is neither 

 heroism nor pleasure in such fool-hardy adventures. 



