160 The Hunting Field With Horse and Hound 



"Fit! I should say he is!" I remarked. "He is simply 

 spoiling for a run." 



" 'E's allers that way, sir, when 'e's been in for a few days. 

 I daresay, sir, you will find 'im a bit above hisself to-day, sir, 

 but he means nothing by that, sir. A quieter, better-mannered 

 'orse never looked through a bridle, sir." 



To prove his words, the groom stroked Richard's hind legs 

 and pulled him about, adding, "There is not a bit of vice in- 

 tended, sir. You can tell that by the looks on him, can't you, 



sir 



r 



I liked Richard immensely. I hked him all the better for 

 kicking off his blankets. I once owned a hunter that did the 

 very same trick, when, as the groom expressed it, " 'E was feel- 

 ing a little above hisself." 



What a delightful morning it was ! The sun shone and the 

 wind was just right to insure a good scenting day. What a 

 change had come over the spirits of every one. The morning 

 train from London and the north brought back two score or 

 more riders who had gone away during the frost, while a dozen 

 horse cars, which were attached to the express trains, brought 

 in twice as many hunters. 



Men in scarlet were seen everywhere about the Bay Mare 

 Inn. 



Our landlady had her hands full looking after all the little 

 wants of her guests. 



"Sportsmen are such careless fellows," she informed me, and 

 added, in a confidential tone, "I would as soon fit out as many 

 girls for a party." 



A bell rings vigorously. 



"Yes, sir, in just a moment. That's Lord ringing 



for his boots. He forgot to put them out to be cleaned. I do 

 hope," she continued, "you will have a good run and come 

 home as hungry as wolves." 



Here she broke off to pull on a glove for a gentleman 



