i ;8 THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER 



to be on an open heath, riding round a swamp, with- 

 out an obstacle in sight. As long as that lasted I 

 could go with the best. 



' But it did not last. In some three minutes, 

 having ridden about half a mile, I found myself 

 approaching such an obstacle as in England would 

 stop a whole field. It was not only the height but 

 the obduracy of the wooden barrier, which seemed as 

 though it were built against ever-rushing herds of 

 wild bulls. At home we are not used to such fences, 

 and therefore they are terrible to us. A four-foot- 

 and-a-half wall a man with a good heart and a good 

 horse will ride ; and the animal, if he knows what 

 lie is about, will strike it sometimes with fore as well 

 as hind feet, and come down without any great 

 exertion. But the post and rail in Australia should 

 be taken with a clear flying leap. There are two 

 alternatives if this be not done. If the horse and 

 man be heavy enough, and the pace good enough, 

 the top bar may be broken. It is generally about 

 eight inches deep and four thick, is quite rough, and 

 apparently new ; but, as on this occasion, I saw re- 

 peatedly, it may be broken, and when broken, the 

 liorse and rider go through unscathed, carried by 

 their own impetus, as a candle may be fired through 

 a deal board. The other chance is to fall which 

 event seemed to occur more often even than the 

 smashing of the rail. Now I was especially warned 

 that if I rode slowly at these fences, and fell, my 



