238 A HUNTING CATECHISM 



current, it is sure to be safe to ford it ; but 

 beware of a loamy soil, or where there is a rapid 

 current in a part only of the stream, between 

 high banks, for though a portion of the bed may 

 be firm, it may suddenly deepen, or be bottomless 

 in mud. Rocky streams usually have many 

 fording places, but gravelly spots must be 

 selected ; and it is often the case that the spit of 

 gravel runs in a slanting direction, and not 

 straight across, so caution must be exercised 

 accordingly. It is never safe to plunge into a 

 limestone river without local knowledge, for it is 

 apt to be full of abrupt fissures ; and while one 

 moment the water is quite shallow, the next 

 step may be into excessively deep water. Before 

 entering a stream be sure that the way out on the 

 other side appears plain before you, for it is not 

 always easy to retrace your steps on horseback. 



There is one hint, learned many years ago in 

 hot countries, that is most useful : never allow 

 your horse to quench his thirst when entering a 

 stream, but always make him cross about three- 

 quarters of the way before doing so, whatever the 

 width of the ford. The reason is that, if the 

 animal is allowed to drink at once, he is likely to 

 lie down suddenly without any warning, and roll, 

 and some ludicrous scenes have been witnessed 

 in consequence of the neglect of this precaution. 

 If, however, he is forced to proceed nearly to the 

 far side before drinking, he is so apprehensive 

 that he is going to lose the opportunity, he 

 eagerly drinks when given the chance, and thinks 

 not about rolling. Horses are very fond of this 

 amusement, and some will do it under the saddle. 

 This most often occurs through their being 

 girthed uncomfortably tight, when they roll from 



