IPilotino irxIRJD. 301 



the village. Immediately I saw that it was a hopeless 

 case, and I ordered him to be shot at once. A gun 

 was fetched ; I thought I would stay and see it 

 done, but my heart failed me. I rode off, and when 

 I heard the report of both barrels my feelings can 

 be better imagined than described. It seems ridi- 

 culous to own it, but I declare I felt his death as 

 much as I should feel that of a near relative or 

 friend, and I could not bear to hear his name men- 

 tioned for weeks after without a nasty cold feeling 

 coming over me. Thus ended the career of what I 

 believe to be one of the most celebrated horses of 

 modern times, and one that I always affirm was 

 the very best hunter I ever rode or saw in any 

 country. 



Before finishing my hunting notes, I must not 

 forget to mention that I once had the honour of 

 piloting H.R.H. the Prince of Wales in the hunting- 

 field three days in succession. This happened when 

 his Royal Highness was on a visit to Mr. Henry 

 Chaplin at the Chauntry House, Lincoln, in the 

 year 1871. The Squire was then the Master of 

 the Burton, and at that time he hunted the hounds 

 himself — a very good gentleman huntsman he 

 was : I never saw a better amateur — so he asked me 

 to look after the Prince, which I tried my best to do. 



