THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



them. Like King- Richard, at Boswortli, what would I not have 

 given for a horse ! 



' The sequel is now to come. The fox was killed about 

 three miles farther on, after one of the finest and severest 

 chases recorded, even in Leicestershire. But in what con- 

 dition were myself and my horse ? As for me, I was bruised 

 and sore, and had dislocated my right thumb ; I had also left 

 my whip and a slice of my breeches in the bullfinch ; but these 

 were only trifles. I trembled for the fate of the five-year-old, 

 and could not bear the sight of his wound. I looked for a 

 village and could see none ; but I saw the house of a Leicester- 

 shire grazier, and that was enough for me at the moment. 

 I led Brilliant to his stable, and his hack conveyed me to 

 Melton. 



' " Richards," said I to my groom — and no man has a better 

 — " send a helper oflf with this hack directly, and put yourself 

 in the gig, without loss of time, with everything necessary for a 

 tired and maimed horse, and leave him not till he is recovered ; 

 that is to say (for I had my fears), if he does recover. It was 

 contrary to your advice that I rode Brilliant to-day ; and, 

 unfortunately for him, it has been the hardest run we have 

 had the last three years." 



' " It is a pity you rode him, sir," replied Richards, " whilst 

 you had so many other horses quite fit to go. I think he will 

 make the best hunter in your stable in another year or two. 

 But where shall I find him, sir ?- " " At Mr. King's, near 

 Hungerton," was my reply. " He has turned one of his own 

 horses out of his best loose-box on purpose to make Brilliant 

 comfortable." " And where is Jte cut, sir ? " asked the anxious 

 groom ; " is it a bad over-reach, or have you staked him ? " 

 " I have done neither," I said ; " get to him as quickly as you 

 can, and you will see." 



' I dined that evening at the old club in Melton, where 

 there was a very pleasant party ; and went afterwards to 

 another house, where all sorts of fun was going on ; but I 

 could have no enjoyment ; I thought only of my poor young 

 horse. It is, however, time to finish my story. The follow- 

 ing day was Sunday, and I told Pritcliard not to call me till 

 ten. However, I grew fidgety ; so rang my bell at nine, and 

 asked if there were any tidings from Hungerton ? " Yes, sir," 

 said Pritcliard, " Richards and the helper returned home last 



44 



