Ubc Matevloo IRun 269 



found she was a real handful ; her mouth was 

 full of blood, and she had on a short martin- 

 gale, which I immediately took off. Sopp said 

 directly : 



"You can't ride her without it, sir," 



I replied: "Well, I will try, as I am sure I can't 

 ride the mare over a country with her head tied 

 down like that." 



I started off, and went across three or four fields 

 away from the crowd, as the hounds were trotting 

 off to draw Waterloo Gorse, and rode her over two 

 or three fences. She seemed in a great hurry, but 

 jumped very big — a fault I always forgive — and as 

 for her pulling, I was like the sailor who went to 

 hire a horse for a ride. He took a great fancy 

 to a black mare, and said he should like to try 

 her. When the livery-stable-keeper came up, he 

 said : 



" No ; that one is of no use to you." 



The sailor inquired : " Why .'*" 



" Well," said the owner, " she is sure to run away 

 with you." 



"Indeed," said the hirer; "put the saddle and 

 bridle on directly, as the last three brutes I have 

 ridden have run away without me." 



The hounds found a fox at Waterloo Gorse about 



