114 ^^^ HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 



first fence, where I promptly chuck it. If I've got a good man 

 up, there's a row royal, and I sometimes get a bit knocked 

 about in the rough-and-tumble. If he's a mug — excuse the 

 slang, but I've lived so much in dealers' stables that I can't 

 really help it — I precious soon get rid of him. My great dodge 

 is either to turn round and kick at the fence until my rider 

 gets sick of it, or else rear. Either is effective. Anyhow, they 

 can't get me over any of their ridiculous obstacles." 



"But then you can't go after hounds?" objected the 

 veteran. "I suppose you don't care for hunting?" 



" No. Blow hunting ! Hunting is all very fine for the long- 

 legged idiots whom we have to carry, but not for us poor 

 horses. At least, that's my opinion." 



" Well, it isn't mine. You see, I love hunting. I often 

 think that nothing would please me more than to hunt rider- 

 less. You'd feel so much more certain of getting over your 

 fences without anybody on your back. As it is, you have to 

 take care of the bigger fool of the two, and think for both." 



"I don't suppose I shall remain here long," thoughtfully 

 observed the cobby one. " I'm always returned after the first 

 experience with hounds, you know. It's rather fun," he 

 added, chuckling. "I can beat 'em all. Twice they have had 

 a regular good try with a rough-rider, to get me to follow 

 hounds. But each time it's ended the same way." 



"AVhat did you do then?" asked the hireling, with a 

 ])reathless interest. 



" Laid down with the beggar ! " was the answer, given with 

 a horse laugh. " That had 'em ! " 



" Then you've never jumped at all, I suppose ? " 



" Then you suppose wrong, my friend. I've no objection to 



