CHAPTER XI. 



THE LEAP. THE STANDING LEAP. THE FLY- 

 ING LEAP. 



" Soft thy skin as silken skein, 

 Soft as woman's hair thy mane, 



Tender are thine eyes and true ; 

 All thy hoofs like ivory shine, 

 Polished bright; oh, life of mine, 



Leap, and rescue Kurroglou! " 



Kyrat, then, the strong and fleet, 

 Drew together his four white feet, 



Paused a moment on the verge, 

 Measured with his eye the space, 

 And into the air's embrace 



Leaped as leaps the ocean serge. 



LONGFELLOW, The Leap ofSoushan Beg. 



A LADY rider who has the nerve and confi- 

 dence to ride a hand gallop, or a flying gallop, 

 will be ready to learn to leap. Indeed, instruc- 

 tion in this accomplishment should always be 

 given, as it is of great assistance in many emer- 

 gencies. The most gentle horse may become 

 frightened, shy suddenly to one side, or plunge 

 violently for some reason or other, and these 

 abrupt movements strongly resemble those of 

 leaping ; if, therefore, the rider understands the 

 leap, she will know better how to maintain her 



