THE LIFE OF A HUNTER 51 



now an enormous knee, caused by some 

 osseous growth, resulting from the non- 

 removal of a thorn. 



My young days spent in Ireland left but 

 little impression on me, beyond the fact that 

 the grass was sweeter and better than any 

 I have tasted since ; and though I was less 

 cared for than the youngsters I have seen 

 growing up in England, both the pasture 

 and climate seemed to do all that was 

 necessary in stimulating growth and fitting 

 me for the battle of life. I must pass over 

 the months during which I was broken in 

 by a young Irishman, who used to terrify 

 me by his noise and wild ways, but who 

 knew what he was about, and broke my will 

 to his own in a devil-may-care sort of way, 

 but with always a tender hand on the bit. 



