SEAT ON A HORSE. 29 



may truly be stated tliat for every male inliabitant 

 above five or six years of age Nature maintains at no 

 cost, no tax, and at no trouble to him, a stud of horses 

 whose number is legion, the rider sits almost perpendi- 

 cularly, with the great toe of each foot resting very 

 lightly on, and often merely touching its small triangular 

 stirrup, his legs grasping the horse's sides slightly or 

 tightly, as prosperous or adverse circumstances may 

 require. 



In this attitude, which may be said to be that of 

 standing astride over rather than sitting upon the sad- 

 dle, the pivot upon which the rider, gracefully bending 

 his body with a ball and socket movement, turns — in 

 throwing his lasso, in thrusting his lance forwards on 

 either side, or in looking behind him — is what is 

 termed by sporting men his " fork." 



In the few instances where pistols are carried, they 

 are affixed heldnd the right thigh, firstly, that in the 

 common occurrence of the horse falling in his gallop, 

 they may not prevent the rider from rolling clear away 

 from him; and, secondly, because in that position the 

 weapons are close to the rider's right hand, which, as he 

 flies along, is to be seen always dangling just above the 

 but ends, ready to grasp them the instant they are 

 required. 



This attitude is not only higlily picturesque, but parti- 



