Danger Ahead. 45 



reserve power in your well-balanced movements 

 so inspiring, that I would almost ride you at the 

 Charles River, in the expectation that you would 

 clear it. But the lane is all too short. Steady, 

 sir, steady ! and down you come in a dozen 

 bounds to a gait from which you can fall into a 

 walk at word. 



But what is that ? A rustling in the woods be- 

 side us ! That sounds indeed frightsome enough 

 to make you start and falter. You are not de- 

 void of fear, Patroclus. No high-couraged horse 

 can ever be. But though you may tremble in 

 every limb, if I speak to you, I may safely throw 

 the reins upon your neck. So, boy ! To face 

 danger oftener insures safety than to run from it. 

 To the right about, and let us see what it means. 

 Steady, again ! Now stand, and let it come. 

 There, Patroclus, despite your snort of fear, it is 

 only a couple of stray calves cutting their un- 

 gainly capers as they make their way towards 

 home. Their bustle, like that of so many of the 

 rest of us, far exceeds their importance. Was not 

 this much better seen than avoided ? You would 

 have hardly liked this pleasant lane again had we 

 not seen the matter through. 



I have never kept you in condition, Patroclus, 

 to stand heavy bursts after hounds, or indeed any 

 exceptionally long or sharp run. That means too 

 much deprivation of your daily company. Nor 



