THE BARB AND THE BRIDLE. 139 



if she has ridden to the meet any considerable distance — it is best to 

 dismount and repair damages at once. As a rule, there are always 

 houses available for this, and nimble-fingered dames zealous in the 

 service of any lady who desires their assistance. 



When the fair votary of the chase travels to the meet on wheels, 

 I recommend her by all means the use of a warm overcoat, of 

 which the Ulster is very convenient, and was very much worn for 

 the above purpose last season. In proceeding from the meeting- 

 place to the covert a great thing is to keep out of the crowd — no 

 matter how well-behaved a horse the rider may be on — because in a 

 ruck there is always more or less danger of her being kicked herself 

 The most likely position for a good start will of course be selected 

 by the pilot ; but it should be remembered that to be quiet while 

 hounds are at work in covert is a fixed law of the hunting code ; to 

 avoid heading a fox when he breaks away, another vital point ; and 

 no exclamation of surprise or wonder should be allowed to escape 

 the lij)s, even if a fox (as I have seen happen more than once) 

 should run between the horses' legs. Foxes, though it may be 

 assumed that they all possess a large amount of craft and cunning, 

 differ as much in nerve and courage as other animals ; and while 

 one will sometimes dash through a little brigade of mounte<l 

 people, the shout of a small boy on foot may turn him back ; and 

 while Reynard, again, will frequently rush off close to a lady's 

 horse and take no notice of either him or his rider if both remain 

 quiet, the waving of a handkerchief, or even the slightest move- 

 ment of the lady on her steed, may cause Sir Pug to alter his mind, 

 and thus a good thing may be spoilt. For the foregoing reasons, 

 therefore, to be perfectly quiet and remain steady, if near a possible 

 point at which a fox can break away, is indispensable. When 

 hounds are settling on his track great -care should be taken to avoid 

 getting in their road, or in any way interfering with them. After 

 they have settled, the object should be to go ivell to the front and 

 keep there — first, because the greatest enjoyment in hunting, viz., 

 seeing the hounds work, is by that means attained ; and, secondly, 

 whenever there is a check, a lady riding well forward gets all the 

 benefit of it for her horse, whereas those who lose groimd at the 



