34 HORSES 



the limp and shaking legs inspire him with no con- 

 fidence. Another few strides and he is close to the 

 timber ; then suddenly he stops short and refuses. 

 Jim gallops off home to deliver a half-spoilt horse 

 to the owner, and to spend the remainder of the 

 day in the public-house, dreaming of days that are 

 past and runs he has seen. 



Never mind Jim now ; hounds are running, and 

 you are some fifty yards to the left of the main 

 body. One moment, though, for a word of caution. 

 You must not think because you have cleared a 

 fair-sized bit of timber that your pony has no 

 limitations in that direction. Do not over-face 

 him or tax his powers beyond their capabilities, 

 and if there is any choice always select the smallest 

 place. 



A half-open gate lets you through into the 

 next field, which is a fallow, in preparation for 

 the sowing of wheat. The freshly turned soil 

 brings the pack to their noses, and now you must 

 stand quite still. No ! don't turn round to see if 

 any one is coming up, but keep your eyes glued on 

 the hounds and watch what they are doing. Two 

 very promising couple — all of one litter — of the 

 young entry have been carrying the scent thus 

 far, and now they must leave it to their elders to 

 put them right. Swinging themselves forward they 

 fail to touch the line, the reason being that the 

 fox has turned short to the right for the smoother 

 headland and to avoid the half-broken clods. Old 

 Lavish, who had been left behind in covert, now 



