258 Cross Country with Horse and Hound 



sheet but not injured in the least. I record this as the 

 most extraordinary thing I ever beheld, and as an exag- 

 gerated instance of what one may see driving to the hunt. 



As for the Doctor and me, v^^e were a rare sight. We 

 dug the mud out of our necks and ears and eyes, and started 

 for home, telling each other over and over again the events 

 of the day. The gamy little mare that drew us came in 

 for no small share of our comments. There would come a 

 pause, when the Doctor's face would kindle and he would 

 break out laughing again with : " But how the little 

 mare did go ! " 



Thus ended my first drive to hounds. Needless to say, 

 it was not long before I had out a saddle and began prac- 

 tising jumping on my own account. I got a saddle on a 

 driving-horse back on the farm, and had my first jumping 

 lessons out of sight. My early training at bareback riding 

 stood me in good stead, and before I was much older I 

 was by way of becoming a hunting man myself. I practised 

 with more and more enthusiasm till my good wife heard of 

 my doings and interposed. 



" Now you must promise," she protested, " you will 

 never ride in the hunts." 



A hand clinched each lapel of my coat persuadingly, 

 and after some hedging I found I had no alternative but 

 to promise. 



I took her to see a run herself one day not long after, and 

 my lady was enthusiastic. " What beautiful horses ! " she 

 exclaimed. " I wish you had one for me to ride." I prom- 

 ised readily to get one. Fortunately we had seen no falls. 

 "Ah, if I were a man," she declared, " I should hai)e to ride." 



