THE LIFE OF A SPORTSMAN 



Brighton South Downs, but for mine. Let me see. — Here is 

 the screw-wrench ; wheel and spring clips ; two spring sliackles, 

 with bolts and nuts ; two chains — one for a trace, when wanting, 

 and the other shorter, with a ring at one end, and a hook at the 

 other, in case of a tug giving way ; but where is the little strap 

 with two buckles ? ' 



Fniitk Raby. — ' The little strap with two buckles ; I know not 

 what you mean ? ' 



Jdck Webber. — ' Then you know not a very useful appendage 

 to the tool-box, inasmuch as, should any part of the reins, or 

 indeed most parts of the harness, give way, it comes into use in 

 a moment. I always carried two of them in my pocket, one 

 somewhat broader and stronger than the other.' 



Frank Raby. — ' Just describe this strap.' 



Sir John. — ' / can do that for you, as I am never without 

 one of them in the pocket of my greatcoat. It need not be 

 more than six inches long, but must have a strong buckle 

 at each end. Anything, then, in the shape of a strap being 

 broken, can be instantly made serviceable by punching two 

 holes, if none are ready within reach, to receive the tongues of 

 the buckles.' 



Somerby. — ' But, Raby, where are the hunters ? ' 



Frank Raby. — ' They are at Amstead, in paddocks, which 

 I had made for them last year ; but against next spring I 

 hope to have the means of summering them here, under my 

 own eye.' 



Hargrave. — ' My horses are treated after your plan this 

 summer, and I expect the greatest benefit from it, next 

 season.' 



Frank Raby. — ' Depend upon it you will not be disap- 

 pointed. I had a remarkable proof of tlie superiority of 

 condition attained by it, in the course of a run in the last 

 season. We came to a check at the end of a sharp burst, 

 when some one observed — " What a steam there was from the 

 horses ! " " There is no steam from mine," said I ; neither 

 was there ; in fact, he was beginning to get dr}' on his 

 neck.' 



Hargrave.—' It must be a great advantage to a hunter not to 

 sweat much— or, at all events, to become soon cool ; as exhaus- 

 tion must be proportionably diminished.' 



At six o'clock precisely — there were no eight o'clock dinners 



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