Colonel ^forester 259 



bought her out of the Ouorn stud, and was supposed 

 to be one of Tom Firr's best animals. The Colonel 

 kept her out more often to carry his luncheon, or to 

 ride home on, than to hunt. 



One day, very soon after the Kirby Gate meet, 

 Colonel Forester came up to me out hunting, and 

 said : 



"I'm going shooting two or three days next week. 

 I will mount you any day you like between Tuesday 

 and Saturday." 



Naturally I thanked him, and selected Thursday 

 at Somerby, a meet in the best country. I met 

 Captain Coventry on my way to the meet. I was 

 riding a hack, and he asked what horse I was 

 going to ride hunting. I told him ' Patience.' 

 He said : 



" Well, I shall be on ' Patch,' so there are two 

 front seats booked certain." 



When I arrived at the meet, Colonel Forester's 

 man came up to me with ' Black Pearl.' I asked 

 him if ' Patience ' was not out for me. He said : 



" No ; the Colonel left word you were to ride the 

 black mare all day." 



Of course I was disappointed, but had to make 

 the best of it, and managed to get through the 

 day with only one fall. 



