408 WALKING FOXHOUND PUPPIES. 



bumping into me, when flying for protection from some 

 imaginary enemy. It is impossible to be really angry 

 with these most affectionate irresponsible beings, for 

 they are brimful of the exuberance of youth, and 

 if they roll over each other in the middle of the 

 road just under the front wheel, it is advisable to try 

 and get out of the way. A good plan when this road 

 playing begins is to keep the break going, ready for 

 "happenings." Riding with pups is excellent practice 

 in bicycle control ! From bicycle exercise we passed 

 to the higher stage of taking out the pups with horses, 

 but I regret we did not continue the bicycle training, 

 because one day the bolder hound of the two (Fig. 145), 

 who had several narrow escapes by reason of his in- 

 sane propensity for running into the middle of the road 

 and jumping up at the muzzle of an advancing horse, 

 met with a serious accident, to wit, a fractured fore leg. 

 I was not present when it occurred, but I had often 

 ridden out with this hound, whose vagaries in the matter 

 of jumping up at my horse's muzzle or playfully biting 

 his hocks, frequently necessitated my riding at a walk. 

 The animals who were ridden with these hounds were 

 quiet, insomuch as they never attempted to kick them 

 when all were loose in a paddock, or when ridden ; but 

 even the quietest horse in the world is apt to show 

 annoyance if very great liberties are taken with his 

 person by either man or hound. My experience 

 teaches me to remember this fact and not try a horse, 

 who is not a huntsman's mount, too highly in this 

 respect. The more sedate pup of the two is in fine 



