44 Cavalry versus Hunting. 



Think you that the men who followed Sheridan 

 in many a gallant charge, or Fitz Hugh Lee, for- 

 sooth, could not ride as well as the best of us 

 across a bit of turf, with a modest wall now and 

 then to lend its zest to the pleasure ? Neither 

 we nor our British cousins can monopolize all the 

 virtue of the world, even in the art equestrian. 



As there is no doubt that fox-hunting is one of 

 the most inspiriting and manly of occupations, or 

 that the English are preeminent in their knowl- 

 edge of the art, so there is likewise no doubt that 

 equally stout riders sit in foreign saddles. And 

 though each would have to learn the other's trade, 

 I fancy you could sooner teach a score or a hun- 

 dred average cavalry officers of any nation to ride 

 well across country, than an equal number of 

 clever, fox-hunting Englishmen to do the mere 

 saddle work of any well-drilled troops. Leaping 

 is uniformly practiced and well taught, in all reg- 

 ular cavalry regiments of every army with which 

 I have been familiar in all parts of the world. 



XI. 



Well, Patroclus, you have earned your gallop. 

 I loosen in the least my hold upon the reins, and 

 shaking your head from very delight, off you go 

 like the wind. Never could charger plunge into 

 a mad gallop more quickly than you, Patroclus. 

 Your stride is long, your gather quick, and the 



