238 RIDING RECOLLECTIONS. 



watch. There lurks a fund of latent energy under the . 

 placidity of our friend's demeanour, and, as four couple 

 of hounds come streaming out of cover, he shoots 

 up the bank rather too near them, to pick his place 

 without hesitation in an ugly bullfinch at the top. Two 

 of his own kind are making for the same spot at the 

 same moment, and our young friend shows at such 

 a crisis, that he knows how to ride. Taking " The 

 King of the Golden Mines," hard by the head, he 

 changes his aim on the instant, and rams the good 

 horse at four feet of strong timber, leaning towards 

 him, with an energy not to be denied. Over they 

 go triumphantly, " The King," half affronted, " catching 

 hold" with some resentment, as he settks vigorously 

 to his stride. What matter ? most of the pack are 

 already half-way across the next field, for Leicestershire 

 hounds have an extraordinary knack of flying forward 

 to overtake their comrades. His father would be de- 

 lighted with the performance, and would call it " scoring 

 to cry," but young Rapid does not trouble himself 

 about such matters. He is only glad to find they are 

 out of his way, and thinks no more about it, except 

 to rejoice that he can "put the steam on," without the 

 usual remonstrance from huntsman and master. 



The King can gallop like a race-horse, and is soon at 



