256 STEEPLECHASING 



right angle to the left, the steeple of Piddington Church 

 marking nearly the direct line of the turning-flag, which 

 was then out of sight. The next field was of steep 

 ridge and furrow on the left hand, opposite which was 

 the weakest part of the succeeding fence ; in the centre 

 was a headland, with a high gate before it, and on the 

 right hand it was level, but the fence opposite to that 

 was very high and stiff, presenting only a single opening, 

 with some rails on the landing side ; beyond a small 

 brook, which flowed the whole length of the hedge. 

 Then came an awkward piece of ridge and furrow, with 

 the furrows lying across the line. On the extreme right 

 was an easy gap, but no part of the hedge presented 

 any difficulty. The succeeding field was, perhaps, the 

 most trying throughout the course, being an ascent of 

 exceedingly steep ridge and furrow, enough to shake a 

 horse to pieces. The only escape from this was to 

 cross the ridge and furrow diagonally, and to reach the 

 headland on the extreme right, but Captain Broadley and 

 Mr. Peel alone did so. Next followed a large piece of 

 land declining towards the ensuing fence, which was a 

 strong bullfinch and ditch, and a little beyond it was 

 the most serious fence of the line, a double hedge, with a 

 bank almost wide enough upon which to drive a waggon, 

 with a ditch on the taking off side. Beyond this the 

 ground ascended considerably, and after passing the 

 next flag, placed in a row of sheep hurdles, the line 

 turned slightly to the left over a stout bullfinch, from 

 which it continued to ascend, passing over a bullfinch 

 as stiff as the last to an eminence at Preston Deanery. 

 Here, in the centre of a large field, another flag was 

 placed, the land declining gently to the next fence, and 

 after passing it the turning flag was on the right hand, 

 with a small brook beyond it, within a field or two of 

 Preston Park Wood. After rounding the flag, a con- 

 siderable sweep was made to the left, the former line 



