88 THE HUNTER'S ARCADIA. 



attractive bunch of grass, or sweet-leafed bush, mighi 

 cause him to advance a few paces. 



This acquirement (remaining where left) is of the 

 greatest importance in a hunting horse, and seems 

 to be intuitively learned by an African one. 



The pack at this moment are clamorous and all 

 excitement to start, but when I swing myself into 

 the saddle the climax is reached, and each and all, 

 giving vent to their feelings in many-toned yelps, go 

 off at racing pace. 



Taking just sufficient pull upon Nemo's mouth to 

 steady his pace and keep his stride well within his 

 control, we settle down to work and play our re- 

 spective parts in a business-like manner. Now I 

 place my foot home in the stirrup, employing no 

 other pressure upon its bar than is necessary to 

 know that I feel it ; not so gently with my knees, 

 for with them I take a grip that, if it does not crack 

 my mount's ribs, tells him that I am so hard and 

 fast to the pigskin that it will take something more 

 than usual to unship me. But, to ease both horse 

 and man, from my knees I raise myself so as to 

 reduce the weight on the cantle of my saddle and 

 more evenly distribute it, at the same time advancing 



