i^ttJing to flouutJg. 141 



that hog-backed stile. Never mind the jeering 

 " Come on, old fellow! it's all right!" or what not, 

 from Smith, who has cleared it in front of you. You 

 are not bent upon a pounding match if he is, and to 

 carry out the object yott have in view you will find 

 it quicker, as well as better, even to deviate as I 

 suggest, as it will assuredly take less out of your 

 horse than if, having charged that awkward bit of 

 timber, you had succumbed, as you had good reason 

 to anticipate. Picture to yourself the pack stream- 

 ing away over the brow of yonder hill, and you, 

 my friend, with battered hat and mud-laden boots, 

 struggling ankle-deep through the sticky plough, 

 in apparently hopeless pursuit of your vanishing 

 steed, and I think you will allow that discretion 

 in such a case may prove the better part of valour, 

 although fortune not unfrequently favours the fool- 

 hardy as well as the brave. 



If you come to a really big brook, and either your 

 own nerve is wanting, or you deem your horse un- 

 equal to negotiate it (the former, you bet !), ride at 

 once, if you don't mean to risk a ducking, to the 

 nearest available ford or bridge, but don't, pray don't, 

 ride half-heartedly at that streak of running water, for 

 by doing so you will ensure y.::i«rself either a cold bath 

 or "refusal," and if the latter, probably will potter 

 about on its brink watching hounds sail away from 



