THE BAUB AND THE BRIDLE. 153 



requires a fresh charger. But (assuming always that she can afford 

 to have a second horse out) nothing connected with her hunting 

 requires more discrimination than the selection of a second horseman. 

 Any quantity of smart, good-looking, light-weight lads, who can turn 

 themselves out in undeniable form, and ride very fairly, are always 

 to be had, with good manners and equally good characters ; but one 

 thing requisite is that they should know every inch of the coimtry 

 they are in. Thus a lad, however willing, from Scotland or Ireland, 

 would be of very little use as a second horseman in the midland 

 district of Englani; and therefore weight, up to ten stone at all 

 events, is of less consequence than an intimate knowledge of the 

 topography of the surrounding country. 



To have a second horse at the right spot at the right time, and 

 with little or nothing taken out of him, requires in most cases con- 

 siderable foresight and judgment on the part of the lad who is on 

 him, and therefore a fair amount of intelligence, in addition to 

 careful riding, is indispensable, as weU as natural good eye for 

 country. The different form in which second horses are brought to 

 the point where they are required is conclusive as to the foregoing, 

 for one constantly sees two animals, up to equal weight and in equal 

 condition, arrive at the same spot, one not fit to go much further, 

 and the other with scarcely the stable bloom off his coat. 



