f^iiit^ to 23utJt(ing Sportsmen. 37 



him that its negotiation is needless, or undesirable, 

 and ride off elsewhere, particularly if he should 

 display a strong inclination to go thither, or show 

 symptoms of rearing or kicking. If, on the other 

 hand, you are on an accomplished hunter without 

 vice, who is simply fatigued, and always providing 

 the fence is small, then use the strongest language 

 at your command, hammer him with your crop, and 

 make him jump or scramble through it, explaining 

 to your friends afterwards, in a knowing kind of 

 way, "that he takes a bit of riding, you know;" 

 they will then, doubtless, put you down as a bruis- 

 ing, daring dog. 



If a friend is riding well up to hounds in front 

 of you, and you, being better acquainted with the 

 country, are aware that his course will shortly be 

 impeded by some insurmountable obstacle, such as 

 a fordless river, or canal, do not warn him of the 

 fact, but hurry to the nearest bridge yourself, and, 

 if possible, assume the lead upon the other side. It 

 is also well to occasionally intimidate a hard-riding 

 friend, should his horse have "the legs'' of your 

 own in a quick thing, by shouting to him "'Ware 

 wire about here, old fellow!" he will then usually 

 go a bit more gingerly at his fences, and you may 

 be able thereby to improve your relative positions. 



To establish a reputation in a strange country, 



