1 82 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



particular. He has many matters to occupy his thoughts, 

 and does not care to see you in the middle of his 

 favourites on a strange horse. It is better to keep the 

 second whip between yourself and the hounds, jogging 

 calmly on, with a pleasant view of their well-filled backs 

 and handsomely-carried sterns, taking care to pull up, 

 religiously murmuring the orthodox caution "Ware 

 horse ! " when any one of them requires to pause for 

 any purpose. You cannot too early impress on the 

 hunt servants that you are a lover of the animal, most 

 averse to interfering with it at all times, and especially 

 in the ardour of the chase. If the size and nature of 

 the covert will admit, you had better go into it with the 

 hounds, and on this occasion, but no other, I think it 

 is permissible to make use of the huntsman's pilotage 

 at a respectful distance. Where there are foxes there 

 is game, where game, riot. A few young hounds must 

 come out with every pack, and the rate or cheer of your 

 leader will warn you whether their opening music means 

 a false flourish or a welcome find. Also where he goes 

 you can safely follow, and need have no misgivings that 

 the friendly hand-gate for which he is winding down 

 some tortuous ride will be nailed up. 



Besides, though floundering in deep, sloughy wood- 

 lands entails considerable labour on your horse, it is less 



