ONLOOKER ABROAD AND AT HOME. 75 



appearance of fear under the necessities of the situation ; and 

 adapted himself to it very comfortably succeeding generally in 

 at length being able, without disgrace, to walk through a fence 

 which others had broken down at the risk of their bones. He 

 saw many feats of gallantry enacted some under the spur of 

 ambition, some under that of joyous lightheartedness, and a few 

 under the impulse of necessity. But, whatever the motive 

 power which actuated the leader of the movement, followers 

 were sure to be found and his place was forthwith made that 

 of the ruck behind. Now it has always seemed to Onlooker 

 that the most stringent test of nerve of all is to feel called upon 

 to follow a man over a place he has chosen, which is much 

 bigger than one you would have picked for yourself. You are 

 no longer a voluntary agent. You have to run a risk merely 

 because some bolder spirit than yourself lays it out for you. If 

 he had not gone there, it would never have occurred to yourself 

 or others that you showed the white feather. Now he has 

 removed all chance of escape ; and out of respect for your self- 

 esteem or your character you must needs follow. So it was 

 with a sympathetic thrill that Onlooker constantly saw the 

 example set, and saw it followed to distress by men in no way 

 mounted for such feats. Gay Scatterbills would lark over 

 " owdacious " timber faced by a deep wide ditch ; and his 

 three-hundred guineas' worth from a fashionable dealer would 

 make light of the task. Young Gileson, on a four-year-old 

 whose only education has been acquired in the steady routine 

 of shepherding and whose woolly coat has scarcely been off a 

 month, is impelled by a heart quite as large as the aristocrat's 

 to do likewise. If the four-year-old rolls one way, and he the 

 other, it is the best luck he can expect. And even if the 

 timber stands this trial, Gileson's nearest neighbour, or perhaps 

 a debutant on a hireling, is sure to come forward to complete 

 the task and sooner or later a waggon might be driven 

 through. Verily, if sheep were more noble animals and the 

 suggested comparison were not likely to offend, I would ask if 

 you had ever noticed the obstinate determination of a whole 



