Tuesday, pebt^ua^y 13th, 1894. 15 



ready, and knocks me over the bars. Reins are on 

 my arm, and as I fall the horse is checked in his 

 jump and nearly brought a-top of me. Mount, and 

 away across the first field to gateway fenced with 

 pole and faggots. A stiff jump. But not wishing to 

 get another thump on the back from horse, I harden 

 my heart, and go at it. Over ! All right ! Splendid ! 

 Wonder if any of them saw that ? I am leading, 

 and in style, too. Next we come to a bank, through 

 which cattle have made a narrow gap. Looks easy 

 enough ; but my toes strike against the sides. 

 Fortunately the hedge is a loose one, large portion 

 comes away on each foot. Might have been worse. 



Now hounds cross a river easy of entry, but bank 

 on further side looks rotten. Lay hold of a young 

 alder and swing myself from the saddle to top of 

 bank. Alder gives with my weight, and inclines 

 towards the river. Horse jumps bank all right, but 

 I am left dangling over a deep hole. Manage to 

 drop on a rock, and then, with a hop, skip, and a 

 jump, I reach the tail end of the pool, just as hat, 

 whip, and gloves — both right-hand ones, the im- 

 postors — are on the point of entering the stickle to 

 take a merry dance down stream. As I secure these 

 I look up, and, to my dismay, there are the first 

 flight — young ladies amongst them — making merry 

 at my expense. They have seen the whole move, 

 which did not take many seconds. They cross, and 



