CH. XVII DOUBLE-THONG 405 



In practice, to catch the double-thong, the hand, 

 after being moved to the right, somewhat sharply 

 but steadily, that is, without a jerk, so as to give 



a swing- to the bight of the thong, must 

 be turned upward a little, and sud- 

 denly stopped, so that the thong will come on the 

 proper point of the stick, the upper turn being just 

 below the knot ; if it is above the knot it may strain 

 the quill. 



In all this movement, the point of the whip should 

 follow a line like this s^-*****, supposed to be marked 

 on a wall in front of the operator, but it is the turn 

 of the wrist at the end of the movement which 

 catches the thong, and that is really almost the 

 only motion made by one who is very expert. 



The motion of the stick must be uniform, until 

 the stop at the end, and the thong must be left to 

 curl round the stick of itself. The thong should 

 not be struck at by the stick, as is frequently 

 done. 



In all movements of the whip, whether catching 

 the thong or in hitting a horse, it must be held 

 easily in the hand, and the wrist must be free and 



