RIDING WITH LADIES. 287 



just her dress when she would prefer the gentleman to be 

 on the other side. 



In rapid riding, keep near to your lady, but do not crowd 

 her; the horses' heads should be equally advanced, but 

 when about to pass a vehicle you may ride slightly for- 

 ward, to be more sure not to press her feet in turning out, 

 and to be in a better position for assisting her. 



If it become necessary, in an extremity, to lift the lady 

 from the saddle, direct her to remove her leg from the 

 pommel, and to take the reins in the right hand ; then hug 

 your left foot close under your horse's side, to strengthen 

 your position and to move him as close to her as possible ; 

 hold your reins in the left hand, pressing the back of the 

 knuckles against the left side of the pommel of your sad- 

 dle, for a fulcrum, and then grasp her with the right arm 

 firmly around the waist, and lift her on to j^our right 

 thigh ; turn your horse sharply around to the right, that 

 her's may not kick her on finding himself free. 



The lady should keep a firm hold of her reins until she 

 begins to leave the saddle, when she should drop them 

 and grasp your horse's mane, at the same time disengag- 

 ing her foot from the stirrup. During the whole operation 

 the gentleman must be firm and decided, and must studi- 

 ously avoid feeling, and consequently communicating to 

 his companion, the least alarm. 



