268 HUNTING MISERIES: 



have been treated as scurvily by Diana as yourself, 

 and you may find yourself the leader of a band of 

 unfortunates who may look to you for aid. Trust 

 little to information. If you are hunting in Ireland, 

 the country folk are often too much excited to give 

 you practical help by pointing out a means of getting 

 a " nick," and the chances are they wish to see you 

 leap some fences close to them; or it is just possible 

 they do not particularly care to see any more horse- 

 men riding over their holding, and may designedly 

 mislead you ; but this last will not happen often. 

 Remember, however, to take no heed of statements 

 as to the time when the hunt passed ; the minutes of 

 expectancy when the advancing host were approaching 

 seemed ages to the longing spectators, and there was 

 so much to see and talk about, so many exciting 

 incidents that delighted them, therefore the minutes 

 have nearly lengthened themselves into quarters in 

 their imaginations by the time you arrive. 



It is best when you are striving thus to get on 

 terms with your leaders to follow them religiously, 

 and not to ride for your own hand. Make for the 

 gaps that they have made ; that will be better for 

 the farmer the chances are, and better for yourself, 

 too. You may think that by jumping here or jump- 

 ing there you can cut off a bit, but be very sure 

 where you are going before you try it. You may find 

 that the field you jump into is wired on three sides 

 or contains new grass, or wheat, when you must come 

 back in the first instance, or ride religiously round 

 the headlands in the second. But where others have 

 gone, you can go ; and if you make up your mind 



