THE HUNTING FIELD 33 



own powers of jumping; but he too is imbued 

 with the spirit of the chase, and, gaining courage 

 from the squeeze of his young rider's legs, he goes 

 boldly at it. You are over, and alone with the 

 pack. This is a moment you will never forget, and 

 you are on the road to become a first-class man 

 to hounds. 



As your pony lands on the hard footpath beyond, 

 you hear some one say, ''Well done !" and looking 

 round you find it is a horse-breaker on a three-year- 

 old. He was on the outside of the covert, and 

 slipping round quickly was in time to see you dis- 

 appear over that first gap, which the young 'un 

 jumps beautifully and is anxious for more. Jim 

 Thompson is, however, a faded light, and his nerve 

 has gone. At one time a superb horseman, for 

 whom no fence was too big; whom no fall, however 

 bad, could daunt ; but a taste for strong liquors, 

 acquired in youth and freely indulged in in mature 

 age, has entirely ruined his nerve. Watch him now, 

 and it may be a warning to you not to fall into his 

 errors. The young horse has seen your pony jump 

 the stile, and is very keen to follow the lead. See 

 how well his rider holds him together, and keeps 

 him moving with hocks well under him in a collected 

 stride. The generous dram of spirit poor Jim took 

 before leaving home has begun to ooze out, and the 

 nearer he approaches the stile the stronger it ap- 

 pears. The young horse also is not quite sure of 

 his jumping powers, and hesitates in the last few 

 strides, wanting encouragement from his rider, but 



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