286 MANAGEMENT OF HOUNDS. 



your guide, and although your horse may be pulling your 

 arms off, do not let him carry you before the hounds, or 

 you will hear rather more remarks about such a per- 

 formance than may be quite agreeable. If you cannot 

 hold your horse, turn him off at right angles to the right 

 or left, and get out of the fray as quickly as possible, 

 before the death of some favourite hound is laid to your 

 charge. When you come to the fencing department, do 

 not follow any leader, or you may perchance, should he 

 meet with a pip, pounce upon him on the other side, and 

 occasion him a compound fracture, which would be rather 

 a disagreeable reflection, and destroy your gusto for the 

 sport of that day, if not for the next two months to come. 

 Before coming to your fence, look out the place most 

 agreeable to your fancy, not the lowest place, where the 

 fence has been before made up, or the chances are that 

 you may alight in a squire trap, the other side ; neither 

 select the stiffest or highest part to show any fire-eating 

 disposition. Having only so much ammunition to expend 

 in the day, that is, only one horse with four legs instead 

 of eight, and one pair of bellows to work through with, 

 do not fire away too fast at starting. 



Some men ride best with long stirrups, some with 

 short. The best plan is to ride as most convenient and 

 easy to yourself, without regard to what other people do. 

 Sit firm in your saddle, without placing too much de- 

 pendance on your stirrups; hold your rein tight and 

 rather short over the pommel of the saddle ; but fancy 

 you have a silk thread instead of a leather rein in your 

 hand, and as long as you can feel your horse's mouth it 

 is enough. Go quietly at your fence, giving your horse 

 room to collect himself befoi'e taking off; sit rather back. 



