88 HUNTING RECOLLECTIONS. 



LONG HAT GUARDS. 



A gentleman I was once teaching to ride 

 did not understand when I told him how danger- 

 ous it was to have too long a hat guard. One 

 day his horse gave a jump ; off went his hat and 

 bumped on the horse's back, w4th the result that 

 up went her heels, and off went the rider over 

 her head. 



I never forget the first time he jumped a 

 fence. I cantered down a field in front of him, 

 very well knowing the horse he was riding would 

 follow mine anywhere ; but, to my horror, when 

 I looked round, there he was flat on the ground 

 in the middle of the road, and the mare standing 

 looking at him in the greatest surprise. He did 

 not get up for some moments, and I feared the 

 worst. One thing I was certain he would say: 

 " No more jumping for me ! " but he didn't. 

 When at last he discovered the fact that he was 

 lying in the middle of the road, he merely said, 

 " I am rather glad ; it is a new experience." 

 But I was angry with him once ; when we were 

 in the middle of a good run, he not only fell off, 

 but pulled the bridle off at the same time. 



