52 CHASING AND RACING 



the heels, and was built on modified shire lines, though 

 he had grand shoulders and was not fiddle-headed. 

 This was the very best hunter I ever rode. He was a 

 magnificent fencer, and never put a foot wrong. He 

 would take anything his head was set to, yet never * 

 rushed an obstacle. He had a perfect mouth, delight- 

 ful manners, and gave a firm but easy feel. He had 

 the sweetest of temperaments. Moreover, he had a 

 fair turn of speed and, at one time, could stay for ever, 

 though latterly I fancy his heart became affected. It 

 was a big one that never gave way until Nature gave 

 out. I rode him twice a week with the harriers and, 

 subsequently, three days a fortnight with the O.B.H. 



I was on his back on the momentous occasion when, 

 for the first time, I appeared as Master of the last- 

 named, time-honoured pack, in all the glory of the 

 "buff" (really canary) livery, at the opening meet, 

 surrounded by my beloved hounds. 



But I am anticipating, though I may as well state 

 here and now that as I rode Melbury on the first 

 day of my mastership, so he was my mount on the last 

 day thereof, and in the interim I had never been off his 

 back, except when I so willed it. He had never made 

 even the semblance of a mistake. The day which was 

 to close my association with the O.B.H. was to end the 

 life of my bonnie brown hunter. I had changed 

 horses in the middle of the day and, on my return after 

 having kennelled my pack, I was met at the door of my 

 home (then Chorley Wood House) by my valet Bedford. 



