CAPT. Johnstone's hounds and country. 285 



three were now together, Mr. Darrell still lead- 

 ing, and they were only three fields from home. 

 The jump into the lane was a big one, some 

 four-holed posts and rails, with a five feet drain 

 on the landing side and a drop, and Mr. Darrell's 

 clever old horse negociated the lot in his stride, 

 landing without a falter. Then there was choice 

 of the gate out of the lane or some high and very 

 stiff palings, but Mr. Darrell quickly decided on 

 having the palings, and as soon as he landed he 

 steadied his horse and pulled out of the way of 

 his followers on to the head land. These gentle- 

 men now proceeded to race, regardless of the 

 kind of ground their tired horses were galloping 

 throusfh. Mr. Ellershaw was first at the fence 

 into the winning field — some high and par- 

 ticularly stiff" posts and rails of the kind known 

 as railway fencing. They were of a very 

 uncompromising nature, as Mr. Ellershaw found, 

 for although Forge Valley faced them boldly, all 

 that skill could do could not save the fall, 

 and he came a cropper into the winning 

 field, a lead that was followed by Scaramouch ; 

 whilst Mr. Darrell, who had carefully picked his 

 ground, steadied his old horse, and clearing the 

 rails handsomely, cantered in alone. The four 

 miles and three-quarters were run in nineteen 

 minutes. The horse Mr. Darrell rode was one 

 of those phenomena we occasionally see amongst 

 horses. He was common looking with a lot of 



