Tuesday, pebfuat^y 13th, 1894. 19 



some heath and short furze. After that I follow my 

 nose, and come to' a boundary fence, high and newly 

 made up. I select a place free from layers and 

 binders. Horse refuses, but after some persuasion 

 jumps to the top ; but then instead of executing a 

 forward movement, slips back suddenly from between 

 my legs, to clear his feet from a pole and hurdle or 

 iron harrow guarding the unfinished outer side of 

 hedge. I find myself on his neck. His ears only 

 are visible to me. Whilst I am thus placed, he 

 takes a flyer into the next field. I have his neck 

 between my knees as he lands, but the concussion 

 shakes me off, and I fall heavily. Up all right, but 

 collar bone painful. On again, more cautiously now, 

 over ditches, gaps, and low fences, to a lane full of 

 yellow stews, that send jets of liquid ochre into face 

 and eyes. It is rather fortunate that I have no one 

 immediately in front of me now. I would not object 

 to having the whole field in my rear. What a 

 splendid run they must be having over this fine wild 

 country ! If I could but see a tail hound, or even a 

 tail coat, I might more easily fancy myself in the 

 run. That ill-judged getting off at the river has cut 

 me out of the fun, and from all hope of distinguish- 

 ing myself. Lost my chance. " There is a tide in 

 the affairs of men, which taken at the flood leads on 



to " But what do I see ? Surely if the mud of 



this lane has not confused my eyesight, there are 



