1 66 



THE HUNTING FIELD 



chestnut, and his saddle and bridle are models of 

 their order. There is as much character about saddles 

 as there is about top-boots. It is not going beyond 

 the mark to say that a good, well-put-on saddle and 

 bridle make a difference of ten pounds in the looks 

 of a horse. A London saddle will fit any horse, just 

 as a London coat will fit anybody. What a difference 

 there is between Peter's lean, roomy, well-shaped one, 

 and that fat, lumpy, spongy-looking thing of Paul 

 Poplin's. Again, look at Peter's well-cleaned, soft, 

 thin-reined bridle, with the choke band dangling 



under his horse's head like a lady's necklace, while 

 Paul's is made to act up to its name, by being drawn 

 as tight as ever the bewildered, bedizened lad can get 

 it. We should like to appoint Peter inspector of 

 hunting cavalry, and get him to go round the stables 

 and teach ignoramuses the first principles of action. 

 Who would hire a Groom that run his choke band up 

 to the top hole ? 



But enough of that, let us part with Peter. There 

 is not a man in the hunt more respected than Peter 

 Pigskin, and he draws his popularity from two sources 

 his fine, sportsmanlike horsemanship, and his generous, 



