242 COACHING. 



short of work, you bad better ride him. Don't 

 knock him about." 



I briefly expressed my thanks, and started for 

 the rendezvous, where I dehvered my message, 

 and mounted the far-famed hunter, Elmore, 

 recently purchased in England for the Duke at 

 a high price. From the manner in which he 

 carried me (at that time a very light weight) 

 many of the field were anxious to possess him ; 

 indeed, it was hinted to me that the Duke 

 could command almost any sum for him. 



A party of young men headed by Count 

 d'Orsay, afterwards so well known in London, 

 proposed a steeplechase home for a sweepstakes 

 of one Napoleon each, which, had Elmore been 

 my own property, I should have gladly entered 

 him for; but I remembered the Duke's injunc- 

 tion and declined. 



Delighted with the character the new pur- 

 chase had obtained, I started to ride quietly 

 home by myself, when, within half a league of 

 Paris, in crossing a small grip, I found that 

 my horse went lame. To dismount and inspect 

 his foot was the work of a moment, but I could 

 see nothing. No alternative was then left me 

 but to lead the limping animal home, which 

 I did amidst the taunts and jeers of the rabble. 



