30 The Tetcott Hunt (Xteek. 



will no doubt expect to see something of the run. I 

 must do my best to shew her the way as far as I can 

 safely, and without my usual blunders. But having 

 my adventures of yesterday before me, I think it 

 right to warn her that I am not much of a pilot. 

 This confession, however, does not seem to trouble 

 her in the least, or to be of any consequence. For 

 no sooner do we find, than she calls out, " This 

 way ! " and makes towards a gap which no one else 

 appears to have noticed, as all turn in a different 

 direction. Soon after she again calls out, " This 

 way ! " and I perceive that I am on the eve of riding 

 into a green bog. She selects the soundest crossing 

 place, and leads me to a hand-gate — leads me, her 

 self-appointed pilot. 



Presently we come to a bank with a deep gully on 

 the further side, and this she takes so neatly that 

 the place seems to be quite an easy one. But when 

 I get to the top and look down into the depths below, 

 I shudder. Bound to follow, I seize the cantle of 

 saddle, and shut my eyes, leaving all responsibility 

 to my horse. There is a slide, a jump, a scramble 

 up the other side, and the peril is past. With hat 

 receding, and ears laid back like a frightened rabbit's, 

 weak knees, and "all over of a trimmle," I follow 

 my leader over an ugly stile and a stone fence with 

 steps on either side. The top of the fence is slippery, 

 and I am glad she does not see the expression of my 



