84 Hunting in the Golden Days. 



under the delusion that he has got it all to himself, and 

 that his opponent will not again be in evidence. j\Iis- 

 taken man ! By the time they have reached the farm 

 bridge, Mr. Oldwig, who now feels that he is indeed a 

 better man than he thought he was, is slowly but surely 

 overhauling him. Turning round, at this moment, to 

 make sure of his position, Winebold is surprised to see 

 the close vicinity of his sporting friend. They have now 

 crossed the bridge, and are again in view of the assembled 

 spectators on the hill, Winebold leading about half a 

 field. It is evident that Sulphur is beginning to 

 show signs of great distress, for the last two fences, 

 although not stiff ones, have been got over in a very 

 scrambling fashion. Oldwig having ridden with con- 

 summate judgment, and nursed his horse, now draws up 

 almost in a line with Sulphur. How Oldwig now con- 

 gratulates himself for those early morning gallops 

 which have brought his horse into such a fit 

 state of training. He indeed feels proud that if 

 he is not destined to be the winner, he will 

 not be placed far behind, "for," thinks he, "lam 

 a good deal better than some of the young ones 

 now, and if I win it will stop the old woman's tongue, 

 for she can't say very much to me then, and if she does 

 I will shut her up." They are now within three or four 

 fields of the winning post, and there is only one fence 

 that Oldwig has any doubt about in his mind, a 

 double with a small post and rails on the top; a fence 

 of no magnitude, but still one that requires an intelligent 

 hunter to negotiate it safely. Dragoon and Sulphur 

 are now neck and neck, both about fairly pumped, and 

 becoming careless at their fences. More quickly than I 

 can write they are on the other side both down, and 

 both riders have received imperial crowners. In the 



