46 A Four-Foot Gate. 



indeed, be it confessed, is your master himself 

 often in the condition requisite to do the sharp- 

 est work. It will generally be noticed that the 

 clear eye and firm muscle of the rider is a factor 

 in the problem of how to be in at the death, as 

 well as the lungs and courage of the hunter. 

 And yet, Patroclus, you are, within your limits, a 

 model jumper, and always seem to have a spare 

 leg. No horse delights more in being headed at 

 a wall or ditch than you, even in cold blood. 

 For any horse worthy the name will jump after a 

 fashion in company. At the end of our lane we 

 can take the short cut towards the great highway, 

 over the gate and the little brook and hedge. As 

 I talk to you, I can see that you catch my pur- 

 pose, for as we draw near the place, the might of 

 conscious strength seems to course through all 

 your veins. > Perhaps I have unwittingly settled 

 into my seat as I thought of the four-foot gate. 

 Here we are, and there is just enough bend in 

 the road to ride at the gate with comfort. Head 

 up, ears erect, eyes starting from out their sock- 

 ets, no need to guide you towards it, my Patro- 

 clus ! No excitement, no uncertainty, no flurry. 

 You and I know how surely we are going over. 

 A quiet canter, but full of elastic power, to within 

 about fifty feet of the jump, and then a short burst, 

 measuring every stride, till with a " Now boy ! " as 

 you approach the proper gather, I give you your 



