THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 51 



likely-looking ones, and appointed the 

 following morning for teaching the Gallic 

 steeds how to make use of their legs. 



We were up betimes, and cantered over 

 to our friend's chateau, as we had inform- 

 ed him M^e should, and arrived in time to 

 do ample justice to his well-appointed 

 breakfast-table. By noon we were once 

 more in our saddles, and accompanied by 

 our host, who was anxious for a lesson 

 in the art and mystery of clearing " brake 

 and briar." 



In somewhat less than an hour we 

 reached the open country, and turned 

 into a large meadow skirting the com- 

 mune, at the foot of which was a very 

 tolerable ditch, which I charged, and with 

 a little persuasion, and a gentle applica- 

 tion of cold steel, my Bucephalus accom- 



pUshed. Mr. W got over also, but 



with some difficulty ; Captain P was 



not so fortunate — a difference of opinion 

 d2 



