THE HAUGHTYSHIRE HUNT. 141 



and then, rather slowly, hounds take the Hne on, over a small 

 grip, to some old pastm-e-land where scent quickly improves, 

 and from a trot, or gentle canter, horses now hreak into a hand 

 gallop. Will is first at the post and rails which separates this 

 meadow from the next. He jumps it, only a length ahead of 

 the Duke, who is followed over by Ronald Dennison, a little to 

 the right. 



Marmion, without actually showing temper, is hinting 

 that a somewhat stronger pace would be more to his liking. 

 He chucks his head about, but not nearly so badly as 

 he did in a curb bridle, and his rider's hands are as light 

 as any woman's, although his strength in the saddle is 

 remarkable. The horse jumps, or rather bucks over, the next 

 fence, a thorny hedge, rather awkwardly, landing with that 

 horrible stiff-legged action, which we all knov/ so well and hate 

 so cordially. Eonald pats his shining neck, and declines to 

 take the slightest notice of his ill-humour. ' It takes two to 

 make a quarrel,' and Marmion, after a short time, finding 

 that it is no good ' whipping a top that won't spin,' gives 

 up the attempt. Hounds are travelling a bit faster now, 

 and the horse has one eye on their doings, whilst the other 

 is fixed upon the rail and newly cut out ditch beyond, which 

 they are just approaching. Eonald, after seeing hounds 

 well out of the way of this obstacle, somewhat releases 

 the pressure on the chestnut's mouth, and gets him to 

 stride along comfortably. Then, without any fuss, he takes 

 him confidentially by the head, and sends him at it in earnest. 

 It is a biggish place, but Marmion romps at it ; one powerful 

 hoist of his great hind-quarters and he is over, clearing the 

 ditch on the far side with plenty to spare. The better 



