A Day With the Meath Hounds 255 



ahead, the old nag resented this prod at the roots of his tail, 

 his fore feet stopped going ahead, while his hind feet went for 

 the umbrella. In an instant two bright horse shoes came 

 straight through the dashboard and stopped only within an 

 inch of our obhging host's nose. The umbrella was a wreck, 

 and we were all in a shower of splinters, for the dashboard was 

 in kindling wood. 



Cabby pulled up short and our host began to swear and take 

 on at the loss of his umbrella. Cabby's view of what had been 

 going on had been liidden by the top. He reined up to the 

 side of the road, jumped down, and began to apologise. "I 

 never knew that horse to do such a thing before," said he, "I 

 am awful sorry, sir." "He won't do it again," said the Cap- 

 tain. "So hurry along, my man, and there'll be an extra half- 

 crown to you if you get us at the meet in time." Our host was 

 for prodding the old nag some more, but the Captain inter- 

 fered. "Who is paying for this game ?" inquired our host. "I 

 am," replied the Captain. "Not much, didn't I invite you 

 to ride with me?" and it looked as if a row was in 

 pickle, but the Captain headed it off with a call to the 

 driver to "Stop at the first 'Wetting-up place,' " where the 

 troubled waters subsided. While this went on the Captain 

 had spoken privately to the barmaid. Then he himself took 

 a drink out to cabby. He whispered to the writer on liis 

 return to jump in the cab. Hardly was the latter seated, when 

 after him bolted the Captain. Away went cabby, leaving 

 our host standing at the bar with another drink coming. 



"How did you manage?" "Oh! I told the barmaid to keep 

 him there, that cabby would come back for liim. I gave a tip 

 to cabby when I brought him Ms grog. Holy smoke!" broke 

 off the Captain, "but wasn't that a close call? The umbrella 

 just saved our friend from getting it full in the face. So that 

 is settled but, confound it, we are late." As luck would have 

 it the riders came our way and last of all came Tipperary and 



