242 IRiDino IRccollecttons an& ZTiut Stones 



riders 1 ever saw ; in fact, I don't think he knew 

 how to spell the word " fear." He always used to 

 come and have a chat with me. On one occasion he 

 was riding a big, ugly black mare, with an extra- 

 ordinary bridle, which consisted of a twisted ring- 

 snaffle, draw-reins, martingale, and other contrivances 

 too numerous to mention ; but he told me he was 

 riding it on trial. The mare belonged to a Coventry 

 butcher, and she had run away with several people 

 at various times. We found a fox at Stoke End, 

 and were making towards Uppingham. I was trying 

 to keep out of the crowd, as my mare, 'Marigold,' 

 took a bit of riding in the morning. All at once I 

 heard a voice behind me call out, " Look out, Cus !" 

 and before I had time to turn round. Captain 

 Trotter came past me with the black mare's head in 

 the air. He was quite helpless, and she was running 

 away with him. Putting her straight for some very 

 stiff rails by the side of a gate, she went clean 

 through them, all amongst the hounds. Mr. Tailby 

 was furious, but the Captain could not help it, and it 

 was only after going about two miles he stopped her. 

 Most men would have been quite satisfied with this, 

 and have gone home, but Captain Trotter had come 

 out for his day's hunting, and meant having it ; so 

 he kept on until the afternoon, when we had a good 



