152 THE HORSE: ITS TAMING, 



* I have had many a rough one, but none so rough as 

 ' Plebicite,' and if you, Mr. Galvayne, can tame him, 

 you can tame anything.' 



" Mr. Galvayne sent his man to bring him in by 

 train on Thursday morning to Rugby. As it was 

 nearly two years since he had been touched, and 

 had also been in the box since October last, it took 

 the man some time to get a rope fixed to the halter 

 already on the ' varmint,' and during the process was 

 knocked down ; and the commotion was great at the 

 railway station when the operation of boxing him was 

 essayed, but after about an hour's work he was boxed, 

 then a kicking match took place, and when he 

 couldn't kick any longer he sat on his haunches and 

 pawed furiously. On arriving at Rugby another 

 lively scene took place — innumerable porters, with 

 sticks to stop him if a bolt was made — but at last he 

 was landed safely at the marquee. The railway refused 

 to insure the animal when being boxed, the man being 

 asked in reply ' if he wanted to rob the company.' 



" About four o'clock ' Plebicite ' was led into the 

 ring. Then commenced an exciting scene of rearing, 

 plunging, striking, and occasionally a grunt of 

 defiance, sweat pouring off man and beast, the horse 

 being inside and outside the ring, tearing it down, 

 scattering the onlookers, who rapidly sought the 

 ' upper circle ' of seats, and even after a couple of 

 hours' fighting Mr. Galvayne could only just touch 



