Il6 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



a season, he was never really hurt, I believe, but once 

 in his life. 



" That is a brave man ! " I have heard Lord Gardner 

 say in good-humoured derision, pointing to some adven- 

 turous sportsman, whose daring so far exceeded his 

 dexterity as to bring horse and rider into trouble ; but 

 his lordship's own nerve was so undeniable, that like 

 many others, he may have undervalued a quality of 

 which he could not comprehend the want. 



Most hunting-men, I fancy, will agree with me, that of 

 all obstacles we meet with in crossing a country, timber 

 draws most largely on the reserve fund of courage 

 hoarded away in that part of a hero's heart which is 

 nearest his mouth. The highest rails I ever saw at- 

 tempted were ridden at by Lord Gardner some years 

 ago, while out with Mr. Tailby's hounds near the Ram's 

 Head. With a fair holding scent, and the pack bustling 

 their fox along over the grass, there was no time for 

 measurement, but I remember perfectly well that being 

 in the same field, some fifty yards behind him, and cast- 

 ing longing looks at the fence, totally impracticable in 

 every part, I felt satisfied the corner he made for was 

 simply an impossibility. 



"We had better turn round and go home!" I mut- 

 tered in my despair. 



