392 LEAVES FROM A HUNTING DIARY 



I found that the steeplechasers were to be only 3, Rouse being no 

 jumper and too fleshy for running, having been elected Judge and Umpire. 

 The other two visitors, Newman and Gale, like Jocks of the present day at 

 an " ugly fence," were protesting loudly against the brook, declaring that 

 it was not jumpable and that they would get a ducking. Jack, on the other 

 hand, having with myself, often tested his capabilities, and with his usual 

 pluck was all in favour of the brook and certainly vociferated as loudly, 

 in the inharmonious tones of a hobbledehoy, in its praise as the other two 

 in its dispraise. It certainly looked, as it was, a jump which must be 

 cleared, for the banks were nearly perpendicular, with a few low bushes on 

 both sides ; there was about 3 or 4 feet of water owing to the recent showers 

 and the take off about 4 feet above the water, while the landing averaged 

 about 3 feet above it, a round bush much higher than the rest forming the 

 right hand boundary of the course at the brook. To the left of the bush 

 it required a jump of 12 feet to clear the brook, but the take off was very 

 good, and the landing was low, sloping and favourable. To the right of 

 the bush on the other hand the brook could not be cleared under 14 feet 

 because the take off was further from the edge, the earth had been marked 

 away at the landing which was higher as well as wider, with some bushes 

 also which would cause a fall, if not cleared. In addition to this, as the 

 hurdles were placed, those who went to the right of the brook had to run 

 quite out of the course to the right, and then after clearing the brook run in 

 again to the left. I proposed, therefore, and Jack, after a little good natured 

 grumbling about " unfair advantage," &c., agreed, that as Gale and Newman 

 were guests and funked the brook, they should have it all to themselves on 

 the left of the bush, where it was easy and straight and that as Rouse 

 would not run, and in order to make up the four so that each might have his 

 own half hurdle to himself, I would enter myself, though being full of 

 coffee, &c., while they had all breakfasted more than an hour ago, and old 

 and stiff after a season's hard riding, while they were all young, active 

 and crack cricketers, just in condition to begin their season, I should have 

 no chance but would enact " Boots " for the fun of the thing, and that 

 Jack and I should be compelled to take the brook to the right of the bush 

 with all the disadvantages of so doing. 



Even this did not satisfy the visitors, nor would Gale be persuaded 

 that he could reach the opposite side of the brook without becoming a 

 " moist Gale," until he had essayed and succeeded, though at the expense 

 of a slight rick of his ankle, which admonished him that he should exchange 

 his low shoes for ankle boots, as worn by the rest of us. While he went 

 to the village accompanied by Rouse to make the change, Newman, 

 Jack and I amused ourselves with the gloves and single-sticks. It was a 

 lovely morning, sunny, with the appearance of showers and the ground 

 moist and in good order for jumping. 



Gale and Rouse having returned and amused us with a set to with the 

 gloves, in which the former displayed much activity, and the latter some 

 science from the professors under whom he had studied, the conditions of 

 the races were stated and agreed upon. 



Gale was on the left, with Newman on his right, and then myself and 

 then Jack on the extreme right. It was to be a race in heats. Each was 

 to keep to his own half hurdle and place at the brook, and fouling or 

 jostling strictly prohibited. The racers divested themselves of hats, coats, 

 waistcoats, neckcloths and braces, their " breeks " being supported by 

 handkerchiefs tied round the loins. Rouse as judge and umpire, took his 

 station at the winning post on the other side of the brook, supported by 

 Willie, and the racers ranged themselves in line at the starting post 20 



