144 THE COMPLETE FOXHUNTER 



no one near them, though this is a rare occurrence. 

 It is always possible that any one who falls may be 

 dangerously hurt, and a simple rule to adopt is to 

 see the victim on his legs again before going on. If 

 falls take place where there is a big crowd, there is, 

 of course, no reason for every one to pull up ; but 

 where a fall occurs when only one or two other riders 

 are near, it is imperative that one at least should not 

 go on until he has ascertained whether the damage is 

 serious or the reverse. If any one falls at a fence, 

 the rider immediately behind him should deviate from 

 his course, or pull up if he is unable to choose another 

 place, for scores of accidents — not necessarily serious 

 ones — are caused by riders being far too near each 

 other at the fences. 



It is also a good plan to slacken speed when about to 

 pass by any one who is dismounted in the course of a 

 run. It may be that the dismounted man is in need of 

 a moment's assistance ; possibly his saddle has become 

 shifted, or his curb-chain has become loose. He may, 

 in fact, have got off because of some little thing hap- 

 pening to his tackle, or because his horse has become 

 lame. On the other hand he may have dismounted to 

 do something for the common good of the field. At 

 such a time his horse may stand perfectly quiet, if no 

 other horse is very near it, but if horses go galloping 

 past it may become upset, and set about playing the 

 fool. It may also be difficult to mount in the open 

 field, and under any circumstances it stands to reason 

 that the rider will not have dismounted without good 

 cause, and the man who comes next should certainly 

 pause to inquire if he can be of assistance, while no 

 one should on any account gallop past a dismounted 

 horseman at top speed. 



