268 iRiMug IRecoUcctions an^ Uwvt Stories 



hunted from Harborough — where he kept his stud 

 of horses at that tune — there were plenty of chances 

 for him to satisfy his inclination. I went by train 

 in the morning, and saw him just before starting for 

 London, as he would not hunt that day, disliking 

 the Pytchley Wednesday fields, Mr. Powell had, 

 however, sent two horses on for me to the meet, 

 and I was to ride to it on a hack. My first mount 

 was to be a four-year-old he gave a lot of money for in 

 Ireland, which had not been over here long, so was 

 not in very good condition. We had a bit of a 

 gallop in the morning, and my young one not being 

 fit, I thought that it had done enough, so when I saw 

 the second horseman — who happened to be named 

 Sopp, and who had formerly lived with Mr. 

 Matthew Dawson at Russley when I was first 

 jockey for the stable — -I told him I should like to 

 send the first horse home, but he remarked : 



" I am sure you won't care for this one, she is so 

 hot-headed." 



Mr. Powell had told me in the morning if I got 

 on to this mare to be careful, as she had been across 

 two gates with him, and I was to be sure not to try 

 to open a gate with her. However, there was no 

 alternative. My young horse being tired, I decided 

 to change. When I got on to the chestnut mare I 



