THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Frank llahy. — ' One set of road-harness and the pair-horse 

 are from Whippy ; the other set of the former from Laurie — the 

 two best harness-makers in London, I believe — and that for the 

 break was made in the village. I like to lay out money near at 

 home, when I can ; but there is no harness ht to be looked at, of 

 country make.' 



Jack Webber. — ' You are quite right, Raby, and you have 

 gone to a good market. And your whips ? ' 



Frank Rahy. — 'From Crowther, of course. They cost a 

 guinea each ; devilish dear, to be sure ; but they are so nicely 

 turned out. They are the only crops I could ever hnd to 

 stand wet weather without losing shape ; and when the thong- 

 suits them, there is nothing like them for punishing when it is 

 wanted.' 



Jack Webber. — ' I like your pads much. They are well stuffed, 

 so as to cause no pressure on the back-bone, which sets a horse 

 wrong.' 



Sir John. — ' Exactly so ; there is a strong sympathetic 

 feeling between the back-bone and the withers, and when a 

 horse is pinched by his pad, his patience is often exhausted, 

 and he makes an attempt to relieve himself. Being galled in 

 the shoulder is a trifle to a pinch on the back or withers ; and 

 no doubt many a cockney's gig has been kicked to pieces from 

 this cause, of which they have not been in the least conscious. 

 I once had a proof of it. I drove a horse fourteen miles in a 

 gig ; and just as he was entering on the fifteenth — without the 

 least provocation that I could discern — without a whip, rein, 

 or even a fly touching him, he began to mill, and — to use a 

 coaching phrase — a sack was wanted to bring home the gig. 

 I luckily escaped, but my servant was a good deal hurt ; 

 and I found out that the cause of the disaster was the pad 

 pressing on the back-bone, which was becoming very much 

 inflamed.' 



Frank Raby. — ' Well, I think we have seen all we can see 

 for the present ; and as the dressing-bell has rung, we had 

 better walk towards the house. I never keep dinner waiting 

 if I can avoid it, for it is unfair towards the cook ; let us 

 then ' 



Jack Webber. — 'One moment longer! Just let me look 

 into your tool-box — a most necessary thing to keep the drag 

 moving. I should have been hung up many times on those 



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