64 THE LIFE OF A FOXHOUND. 



not. From the delicate look of his boots, 

 breeches and gloves, one might feel disposed 

 to imagine that he was not in the habit of 

 dirtying them; but so far from that being the 

 case, he is not only the boldest but the best 

 rider in the hunt — for the two do not always 

 go together. It used to be thought," con- 

 tinued he, " by men of the old school, that a 

 white top was the certain mark of a he-haw, 

 know-nothing, gal-drawing, watering-place 

 snob ; but I have no hesitation in saying that 

 the white tops of the present day could show 

 the dark and mahogany ones their heels with- 

 out the slightest difficulty, or more than 

 ordinary exertion . ' ' 



*' You think, then, that men ride bolder 

 and better now? " I remarked. 



" Without a doubt of it," replied Trim- 

 bush. ** The stamp of horse — thorough-bred 

 and up to the mark in condition — the pace we 

 go, and the modern style of racing a fox 

 down, require both bolder and better riding 

 than in the days when they found him at cock- 

 crow and killed him at noon. Not only is 

 courage indispensable to be near the * sinking 

 one,' but hands, head, and heels must be 

 exercised with the best of judgment. T grin, ' ' 



