RIDING TO HOUNDS 25 



in that direction, I galloped down the path and 

 jumped out into the field just as they were cast- 

 ing- themselves. I got a view and a good 

 start; hounds did not run very fast for three 

 fields, and by keeping wide of them and watch- 

 ing the turns, I was hardly out of a trot while 

 all you fellows were galloping to get to us. 

 When hounds straightened out to run I remem- 

 bered as they sw^ung to the right that there was 

 a path running across Farmer John's fields. I 

 galloped hard for this and struck it, and then 

 for nearlv a mile I w^as ooino- on hard o-round 

 and jumped three small stiles. Having a good 

 place and commanding the pack, I could afford 

 to fall back at the fences and take them slowly : 

 nothing beats a horse so quickly as racing at his 

 fences. You'll see my brother Jack taking 

 everything in his stride, but if you want to last 

 you must take a pull at the jumps. If you go 

 steady at your jumps and choose the best ground 

 there is nothing or very litde gained by turning 

 out of your way for weak places in the fence. 

 Even a gate is not worth while if you have to 

 go far for it and then open it. You have to pull 

 up and then gallop fast to make up. If a gate 

 is open and has a clear roadway through it, and 

 you are well in front, then it is worth while, not 

 otherwise. Well, we ran hard for twenty 

 minutes, and the fences being big mv horse 



