62 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



Granted, then, that the spur may be applied advan- 

 tageously in the school, let us see how far it is useful 

 on the road or in the hunting-field. 



We will start by supposing that you do not possess 

 a really perfect hack ; that desirable animal must, 

 doubtless, exist somewhere, but, like Pegasus, is more 

 often talked of than seen. Nevertheless, the roadster 

 that carries you to business or pleasure is a sound, 

 active, useful beast, with safe, quick action, good 

 shoulders, of course, and a willing disposition, particu- 

 larly when turned towards home. How often in a 

 week do you touch it with the spurs ? Once, perhaps, 

 by some bridle-gate, craftily hung at precisely the 

 angle which prevents your reaching its latch or hasp. 

 And what is the result of this little display of vexa- 

 tion ? Your hack gets flurried, sticks his nose in the 

 air, refuses to back, and compels you at last to open 

 the gate with your wrong hand, rubbing your knee 

 against the post as he pushes through in unseemly 

 haste, for fear of another prod. When late for dinner, 

 or hurrying home to outstrip the coming shower, you 

 may fondly imagine that but for " the persuaders " you 

 would have been drenched to the skin ; and, relating 

 your adventures at the fire-side, will probably declare 

 that " you stuck the spurs into him the last mile, and 



