Htiiitiug ill the Golden Days. 8i 



rails, both landing safely on the other side. They now 

 come to some rising ground where a double has to be 

 negotiated with a slight swish fence on the top. 

 Dragoon takes it in his stride, and dropping his hind 

 quarters into the ditch on the far side, he makes a 

 desperate peck and nearly gives his rider a fall, but with 

 wonderful skill Oldwig keeps him on his legs. In the 

 near distance they see frowning a formidable-looking 

 bullfinch. Oldwig glances uneasily at his opponent, and 

 shortly after it is observable that Mr. Winebold returns 

 a similar look. 



The question is now who is going to be the bold man 

 to lead over this terrible obstacle ; so far all has gone as 

 merrily as a marriage bell, and they are thoroughly alive 

 to the fact that all their movements are easily discern- 

 ible by the spectators on the hill. Oldwig rides at 

 it at a slow canter, some might say, with the object of 

 making his horse refuse, which that sagacious animal 

 promptly does, for we are told there is no closer secret 

 than that between a horse and his rider. Sulphur seeing 

 the tactics of the other horse naturally follows suit. 

 The two sportsmen begin to look about for a weak spot, 

 where it may be possible for them to clamber through. 

 But no such luck, for the farmer whose land they 

 are crossing, is in affluent circumstances, and keeps 

 his fences in admirable repair. They are ashamed 

 therefore to dwell longer reconnoitring, and there is 

 nothing for it but to have it. Oldwig again rides at 

 it, but not with sufficient dash or impetus to carry both 

 horse and rider safely over, for Dragoon, jumping in a 

 reluctant and half-hearted manner, makes a blunder on 

 the landing side, and gives his jock a little acrobatic 

 exercise. No damage is sustained, and before his horse 

 can rise Mr. Oldwig has caught him. Winebold lands 



